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: