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Lesson

The Constitution, the First Amendment, and Religious Liberty

Duration
40 min
Grade
9–12
Published
Nov 5, 2020
View of Independence Hall with the First Amendment inscription in the foreground and modern buildings in the background.
How did leading Founders and religious dissenters contribute to religious liberty in America? Analyze primary source documents concerning the relationship between church and state, assess arguments for and against an established religion and a public role for religion in civic life and gain an appreciation for the philosophical and political process of the American experiment in religious liberty.

Founding Principles

Freedom of Religion, Liberty

Learning objectives

  • Understand how leading Founders and religious dissenters contributed to religious liberty in America.
  • Analyze primary source documents about the relationship between church and state.
  • Assess arguments for and against established religion and a public role for religion in civic life.
  • Appreciate the philosophical and political processes of the American experiment in religious liberty.

Materials

  • Essay: The Constitution, the First Amendment, and Religious Liberty
  • Handout A: A Connected Church and State
  • Handout B: A Separated Church and State
  • Handout C: A Public Role for Religion in Civic Life?
  • Handout D: A Conversation in 1785

Lesson Components

ActivityEssay: The Constitution, the First Amendment, and Religious Liberty
ActivityHandout A: A Connected Church and State
ActivityHandout B: A Separated Church and State
ActivityHandout C: A Public Role for Religion in Civic Life
ActivityHandout D: A Conversation in 1785
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Lesson plan

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Standards

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Related materials

Statue of President James Madison
Primary SourceMemorial and Remonstrance (1785)

In 1784, Patrick Henry proposed a general tax called the Bill Establishing a Provision for Teachers [Ministers] of the Christian Religion. Similar to some New England state laws, citizens would choose which Christian church received their support, or the money could go to a general fund to be distributed by the state legislature.

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Primary SourceVirginia Statute for Religious Freedom (1786)

Virginia Statute for Establishing Religious Freedom was written by Thomas Jefferson and ushered through the state legislature by James Madison in 1786, banned government interference in religion and individual beliefs.

Portrait of a man with white hair and a fur-lined collar, facing slightly to the left against a dark background.
EssayVirginia Statute for Religious Freedom

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In this lesson, students will learn about James Madison's fight to promote and advance religious freedom in the State of Virginia. They will explore how his actions conformed to the idea of justice and through his example, learn how they can pursue justice in their own lives.