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'''The Establishment Clause''' of the [[First Amendment]] restricts [[Congress]] with regards to public practice of religion.   

'''The Establishment Clause''' of the [[First Amendment]] restricts [[Congress]] with regards to public practice of [[religion]].   

The text of the clause reads:

The text of the clause reads:

{{cquote|Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.}}

{{cquote|[[Congress]] shall make no [[law]] respecting an establishment of religion.}}

As a result of this clause, enacted into the Constitution in 1791, Congress may not establish an official state religion, nor give political preference to one religion over another.  The original prohibition has been expanded by the [[Fourteenth Amendment]] to include not just Congress, but government organizations at the state and local levels. It does not apply in any way to private organizations, such as private schools; however, many states have enacted more restrictive measures, called collectively [[Blaine amendments]], to prohibit State funding of sectarian schools.

As a result of this clause, enacted into the [[United State Constitution|Constitution]] in 1791, Congress may not establish an official state religion, nor give political preference to one religion over another.  The original prohibition has been expanded by the [[Fourteenth Amendment]] to include not just Congress, but government organizations at the state and local levels. It does not apply in any way to private organizations, such as private schools; however, many states have enacted more restrictive measures, called collectively [[Blaine amendments]], to prohibit State funding of sectarian schools.

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.

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.