Establishment Clause
Definition
Part of the First Amendment stating that 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.'
Analogy
Imagine if there was a rule at school saying teachers couldn't favor any particular student. That's what Establishment Clause does for religions - it prevents government from favoring one over another.
Related terms
Separation of Church and State: The principle that government must maintain an attitude of neutrality toward religion.
Lemon Test: A three-part test used by courts to determine whether a law violates the Establishment Clause.
Endorsement Test: A judicial test used to determine whether government action amounts to an endorsement of religion.
"Establishment Clause" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (9)
- What is the Establishment Clause?
- What role does the Establishment Clause play when public schools decide whether or not they should permit prayer during school hours?
- What is the primary purpose of the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment?
- How did the establishment clause in the First Amendment influence education in America?
- How does the interpretation of the Establishment Clause in Engel v. Vitale differ from its original understanding?
- What does the Establishment Clause of First Amendment prohibit?
- In relation to the First Amendment, what does the Establishment Clause prohibit?
- What does "Establishment Clause" in the first amendment prevent?
- Considering landmark court cases, how do interpretations vary between Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause within the First Amendment?
Resources
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