Legal Dictionary
Main Entry:
freedom of re·li·gion : the right esp. as guaranteed under the free exercise clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to practice one's religion or exercise one's beliefs without intervention by the government and to be free of the exercise of authority by a church through the government —see also
FREE EXERCISE CLAUSE NOTE: The freedom of religion as guaranteed by the First Amendment can be overcome by a showing by the government of a compelling state interest. On this basis, practices used in some religions, such as drug use and bigamy, are prohibited despite the First Amendment guarantee.
