| Issues > Free Exercise |
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"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise therof." - The First Amendment The First Amendment's guarantee of the free exercise of religion means generally that government should not interfere with religious practice. The Constitution, however, does not protect religious practice in all instances. In 1990, the Supreme Court held by a narrow majority that the Free Exercise Clause does not require exceptions to neutral laws of general applicability. We support many legislative efforts that offer greater protection than courts otherwise may provide. We believe the government should avoid substantially burdening a person's sincerely held religious beliefs absent an important governmental interest that could not be pursued in a less restrictive manner. Related Articles Inopportune time for bill attacking Establishment Clause Unlike France, religion-friendly secular state exists in U.S. Press statements September 19, 2006 News Stories October 30, 2007 May 24, 2007 January 17, 2007 October 2, 2006 September 27, 2006 September 25, 2006 September 21, 2006 September 15, 2006 September 14, 2006 September 13, 2006 September 8, 2006 September 8, 2006 August 28, 2006 August 8, 2006 June 21, 2006 June 19, 2006 |
| More Resources Religious Freedom Restoration Act Religious Land Use & Institutionalized Persons Act State Religious Freedom Restoration Acts Workplace Religious Freedom Act |