THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE

The establishment clause is a key point of disagreement in the argument over what religious rights people have. And the amazing thing is that everyone has it wrong.

WHAT IS THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE?

The First Amendment of the US Constitution reads:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The Establishment Clause reads:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."

Various politicians have their own interpretations:

Now let's look at the actual 18th century English and the meanings of these words translated into the language of today:

Note that an "establishment of commerce" was what we call today a business.

Note that an "establishment of jurisprudence" was what we call today a law firm.

Note that an "establishment of purveyance" was what we call today a store.

So an "establishment of religion" was what we call today a church, a religious organization, or a religious denomination.

So the true meaning of the Establishment Clause is:

Congress shall not make any law about any church, religious organization, or religious denomination.