3.2- 1st Amendment Freedom of Religion

Regarding religion- the First Amendment of the Constitution has two clauses. They are-

• Religious Clause and Worship Clause
• Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause
• Freedom Clause and Liberty Clause
• Belief Clause and Practice Clause

Which of the following scenarios illustrates an action that would be protected by the free exercise clause in the First Amendment?

• A student wears a T-shirt to public school portraying an illegal substance.

• A person legally purchases a firearm for the purpose of self-defense.

• A person wears a necklace bearing a Christian cross to work.

• A state mandates the reading of a prayer at the beginning of the school day.

In Engel v. Vitale (1962), which of the following provides the legal reasoning behind the Supreme Court’s ruling?

• Violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment
• Violation of the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
• Violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
• Violation of the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment

The establishment clause in the First Amendment does which of the following?

• Prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or favoring one religion over others.
• Prohibits individuals from practicing their religion
• Requires the government to favor one religion over others
• Allows the government to establish an official religion

The free-exercise clause protects

• individuals who, for religious reasons, refuse to pay Social Security taxes

• voluntary prayer by student groups before school

• a person’s right to practice polygamy

• a person’s right to burn the American flag

With respect to prayer in public schools, the United States Supreme Court has ruled that

• state-sponsored prayer violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment

• state-sponsored prayer is permitted by the free exercise clause of the First Amendment

• since educational policy is controlled largely by state governments, the First Amendment does not affect school policy on prayer

• the free exercise clause permits teachers to mandate silent prayer

Which of the following best describes a purpose of the Establishment Clause?

• To allow the government to interfere in religious matters
• To prohibit the government from establishing a state religion or favoring one religion over others.
• To promote a specific religion as the official state religion
• To restrict the practice of religion in public spaces