3.2

• 1st Amendment


  "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."
• Establishment Clause


  Prevents Congress from establishing a religion
• Free Exercise Clause


  Allows citizens to practice their religion freely without government interference
• Engel v Vitale (1962)


  1. The New York State authorized a non-denominational prayer at the beginning of the school year, it was voluntary

  2. SCOTUS deemed this a violation of the establishment clause of the 1st Amendment

  3. Ruled state-sponsored prayer in schools as unconstitutional

  4. SCOTUS is upholding individual religion liberty, and further establishes the separation of church & state
• Wisconsin v Yoder (1972)


  1. Amish parent were not willing to abide to Wisconsin's compulsory education law, which conflicted with the Amish practice of removing their kid from school after 8th grade

  2. The Amish parents complained the Wisconsin law violated the free exercise of their religion

  3. Court agreed with the Amish parents

  4. SCOTUS is upholding the individual liberty of free exercise of religion