Granting Plea For Religious Liberty In Chicago
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Religious liberty is enshrined in the text of our Constitution and in numerous federal statutes. It encompasses the right of all Americans to exercise their religion freely, without being coerced to join an established church or to satisfy a religious test as a qualification for public office.
Vitale, 370 U.S. 421 (1962) The state cannot hold prayers in public schools, even if it is not required and not tied to a particular religion. The state board of regents in New York wrote a voluntary prayer to Almighty God that was intended to open each school day.
Freedom of Religion, and The 1st and 14th Amendment It also means that the government will not interfere with a person's beliefs. The 14th amendment simply extends that protection out to state governments, holding them to the same standards as the federal government.
States can only limit manifestations of one's religion or belief, but never can place limits on holding beliefs. Manifestations of FoRB that can be limited by states extend to (1) worship, (2) observance, (3) practice, and (4) teaching, which encompass a broad range of acts.
The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom is a statement about both freedom of conscience and the principle of separation of church and state. Written by Thomas Jefferson and passed by the Virginia General Assembly on January 16, 1786, it is the forerunner of the first amendment protections for religious freedom.