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- Also called:
- establishment-of-religion clause
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Establishment clause
United States Constitution
Also known as: establishment-of-religion clause
Establishment clause, clause in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution forbidding Congress from establishing a state religion. It prevents the passage of any law that gives preference to or forces belief in any one religion. It is paired with a clause that prohibits limiting the free expression of religion.
This article was most recently revised and updated by John M. Cunningham.
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