The First Amendment and the Separation of State and Church
Compromise: What needed to be added for the critics to approve the new constitution?
Bill of Rights
In order for the Constitution to be approved by the states compromise was needed. Critics of the Constitution argued that it did not do enough to protect rights. Accordingly, the states wanted a Bill of Rights that would protect individual rights. The first ten amendments to the Constitution make up what we call the Bill of Rights.
Critics of the Constitution argued that it did not do enough to protect rights. This means that amendments were needed in order for the states to approve this important American document.
A key part of the First Amendment is the right to religious freedom.
Religious freedom was the right that James Madison, considered the Father of the Constitution, had most dedicated himself to. After completing his studies in Latin, Greek, theology, and the works of the Enlightenment, he had considered becoming an ordained minister in the church before he dedicated himself to politics.
At the Virginia constitutional convention, Madison argued for and secured equal entitlement to practice other religions rather than just tolerance of them. Madison again argued for religious freedom when debating the Articles of Confederation but was unsuccessful this time. However, he was not to be denied when it came to writing the United States Bill of Rights.
The First Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
This means that the government cannot establish a religion and it must treat all religions the same. Neither can they stop somebody from practicing their religion. Known as the free exercise clause, people are free to practice the religion of their choice and are free to change their religion. The government cannot interfere with religious beliefs and practices.
Let’s Reflect
Do you believe in a god?
- If so, how would you feel if someone from the government told you that you could not believe in or worship your god?
- What if they told you they believed and worshiped a different god to you and that you now needed to believe in and worship their god?
