what does the free exercise clause of the first amendment do answers
Freedom of religion in the United States
The `` Free Exercise Clause '' states that Congress can not `` prohibit the free exercise '' of religious practices . The Supreme Court of the United States has consistently held , however , that the right to free exercise of religion is not absolute . For example , in the 19th century , some of the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints traditionally practiced polygamy , yet in Reynolds v. United States ( 1879 ) , the Supreme Court upheld the criminal conviction of one of these members under a federal law banning polygamy . The Court reasoned that to do otherwise would set precedent for a full range of religious beliefs including those as extreme as human sacrifice . The Court stated that `` Laws are made for the government of actions , and while they can not interfere with mere religious belief and opinions , they may with practices . '' For example , if one were part of a religion that believed in vampirism , the First Amendment would protect one 's belief in vampirism , but not the practice . 
The `` Free Exercise Clause '' states that Congress can not `` prohibit the free exercise '' of religious practices . The Supreme Court of the United States has consistently held , however , that the right to free exercise of religion is not absolute . For example , in the 19th century , some of the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints traditionally practiced polygamy , yet in Reynolds v. United States ( 1879 ) , the Supreme Court upheld the criminal conviction of one of these members under a federal law banning polygamy . The Court reasoned that to do otherwise would set precedent for a full range of religious beliefs including those as extreme as human sacrifice . The Court stated that `` Laws are made for the government of actions , and while they can not interfere with mere religious belief and opinions , they may with practices . '' For example , if one were part of a religion that believed in vampirism , the First Amendment would protect one 's belief in vampirism , but not the practice .
The `` Free Exercise Clause '' states that Congress can not `` prohibit the free exercise '' of religious practices.
However, the Supreme Court of the United States has consistently held that the right to free exercise of religion is not absolute. The Court stated that `` Laws are made for the government of actions, and while they can not interfere with mere religious belief and opinions, they may with practices. '' As an example, if one were part of a religion that believed in vampirism, the First Amendment would protect one's belief in vampirism, but not the practice.
The `` Free Exercise Clause '' states that Congress can not `` prohibit the free exercise '' of religious practices . The Supreme Court of the United States has consistently held , however , that the right to free exercise of religion is not absolute . The Court stated that `` Laws are made for the government of actions , and while they can not interfere with mere religious belief and opinions , they may with practices . '' For example , if one were part of a religion that believed in vampirism , the First Amendment would protect one 's belief in vampirism , but not the practice .