The First Amendment protects religious freedoms in two different ways. What are the free exercise clause and the establishment clause, and how do they differ from each other? Describe some controversies surrounding the maintenance of a “wall of separation” between church and state and how they have been addressed by the Supreme Court.
After thoroughly answering the questions above, consider the following: In your opinion, how high should the “wall of separation” be? Additionally, what kinds of activities should be permitted under the free exercise clause? In light of the Supreme Court rulings we discussed in class, are the establishment clause and free exercise clause too restrictive or too permissive?
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