Question

compare the original understanding of the first amendment treatment of religion with the supreme court's twentieth century decision

Answer 1

The original understanding of the First Amendment protected the freedom of religion from government interference. The Supreme Court's 20th-century decision in Engle v. Vitale expanded the protection of religious freedom.

Step-by-step explanation:

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects the freedom of religion. The original understanding of the First Amendment treated religion as a fundamental right that should be protected from government interference. This meant that the government could not establish an official religion or favor one religion over another.

However, over time, the Supreme Court has interpreted and shaped the First Amendment's treatment of religion in the 20th century. One significant decision was the case of Engle v. Vitale in 1962, where the Court ruled that state-sponsored prayer in public schools was unconstitutional. This decision established the principle of separation of church and state and expanded the protection of religious freedom.

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