The first Amendment to the US Constitution provides that everyone in the United States has the right to practice his or her own religion, or even no religion at all. The American government is prohibited to establishing or promoting religion anywhere in any way.

The free exercise clause of religious freedom allows people to worship or not, according to what they deeply believe. The American society is referred to be the most diverse in religion, people of all faiths and none are treated in equal like citizens of one nation.

In the US, good citizenship means to support religious freedom for all. Everyone and every group can take the responsibility to guard their own rights but not to disturb the rights of those with whom they strongly disagree. All faiths are allowed to proclaim their opinion of the truth, but they are barred to seek help in the government to either support their religious convictions or to discredit others’. The mutual respect for the religious freedom contributes to a civic virtue which help maintain peace in a religiously diverse society.

In all regions of the United States, the establishment and free exercise clauses of the first amendment to the US constitution prohibit American courts from substituting religious law for civil law.

Freedom of religion at schools.

American public schools are run by the government; that means public schools are expected to obey the First Amendment. Providing religious opinion within school subjects – religious history, literature, and philosophy – and promoting religious belief as part of the curriculum are not allowed in class. Prayers, spiritual readings, loudspeaker devotionals in class are forms of violating the First Amendment even if the prayer is not of any particular religion.

During graduation or celebration days, religious ceremonies or even short student-led prayers are unconstitutional in public schools. Otherwise, some students may feel excluded or think the school staffs find others’ belief better than theirs. Individual students are allowed to uphold their right to pray whenever they are willing to as long as they do not disrupt the classroom instruction.

Promoting religion at school is not constitutional but organizing bible clubs can be considered if, firstly, the activity takes place outside school hours; secondly, school officials are not involved in the organization; and third, the school makes its facilities available to all students’ groups. Therefore, all religious clubs can have access to the school buildings.

Sources: Teaching Tolerance, American Civil Liberties Union