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3.2 First Amendment: Freedom of Religion

Part of Civil Liberties and Civil Rights in AP® US Government & Politics. Read the opening section, then create a free account for the full interactive lesson, practice, and progress tracking.

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The First Amendment guarantees freedoms essential to democratic participation, including religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. Freedom of religion is divided into the Establishment Clause, which prohibits government endorsement of religion, and the Free Exercise Clause, which protects religious practice. Courts have developed tests to evaluate whether government actions violate these clauses, reflecting the challenge of maintaining neutrality while respecting individual beliefs.

In this unit

13 lessons

  1. 3.1The Bill of RightsPreview lesson
  2. 3.2First Amendment: Freedom of ReligionThis lesson
  3. 3.3First Amendment: Freedom of SpeechPreview lesson
  4. 3.4First Amendment: Freedom of the PressPreview lesson
  5. 3.5Second Amendment: Right to Bear ArmsPreview lesson
  6. 3.6Amendments: Balancing Individual Freedom with Public Order and SafetyPreview lesson
  7. 3.7Selective IncorporationPreview lesson
  8. 3.8Amendments: Due Process and the Rights of the AccusedPreview lesson
  9. 3.9Amendments: Due Process and the Right to PrivacyPreview lesson
  10. 3.10Social Movements and Equal ProtectionPreview lesson
  11. 3.11Government Responses to Social MovementsPreview lesson
  12. 3.12Balancing Minority and Majority RightsPreview lesson
  13. 3.13Affirmative ActionPreview lesson

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