Establishment clause

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The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment restricts Congress with regards to public practice of religion. The text of the clause reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." As a result of this clause, the Congress may not establish an official state religion, nor give political preference to one religion over another. In practice, the original wording has been modified to include not just Congress, but government organizations at all levels.

The Establishment Clause is also complemented by the Free Exercise Clause which continues "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." In addition to being restricted from favoring one religion over another, the government may not unduly restrict one religion over another or the practice of religion.