Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof
As with most things, the more you learn about this topic, the more you realize that you don't know. This is an interesting article on what the framers exactly meant by "establishment of religion.":
It explains that in the countries early history, multiple states did respect an "establishment of religion," but that the federal government was prohibited. Many states had taxes that went towards funding a church, but in many cases the individual could choose which Church got the money.
An interesting note- at that time all of these churches and establishments were Christian. I do wonder if the framers would have liked/been okay with all of these different religious groups in the USA. I wish they were here to give us direction today.
I do wonder if the framers would have liked/been okay with all of these different religious groups in the USA.
Hmmm... let’s see:
Congress shall make no lawrespecting an establishment of religion, orprohibiting the free exercise thereof
Translation: They cannot put into place any LAW that will:
a) Force us to prescribe to any particular religion - to include those of the christian faith
b) Prevent us from practicing any religion we choose to follow, if any at all
Seems to me they were definitely okay with there being different religious groups in the US. As you pointed out - it is the very FIRST Amendment! I’m sure they were well aware of christianity’s past; during the time people were forced to worship it.
The first amendment says:
As with most things, the more you learn about this topic, the more you realize that you don't know. This is an interesting article on what the framers exactly meant by "establishment of religion.":
https://www.encyclopedia.com/politics/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/establishment-religion
It explains that in the countries early history, multiple states did respect an "establishment of religion," but that the federal government was prohibited. Many states had taxes that went towards funding a church, but in many cases the individual could choose which Church got the money.
An interesting note- at that time all of these churches and establishments were Christian. I do wonder if the framers would have liked/been okay with all of these different religious groups in the USA. I wish they were here to give us direction today.
Hmmm... let’s see:
Translation: They cannot put into place any LAW that will:
a) Force us to prescribe to any particular religion - to include those of the christian faith b) Prevent us from practicing any religion we choose to follow, if any at all
Seems to me they were definitely okay with there being different religious groups in the US. As you pointed out - it is the very FIRST Amendment! I’m sure they were well aware of christianity’s past; during the time people were forced to worship it.