The Establishment Clause is regarding religion within the government. This clause basically examines where the line is drawn on religion in the government. It determines whether certain things are consider bias towards one religion or another.
From what I understand, the Establishment Clause helps decide whether something is too religious to be adopted by the state; like one of Carter’s examples about prayer in public classrooms. This clause sets the boundary for where religion needs to stop, before it interferes and forces other of different religions to abide by these religious laws.

One of Carter’s examples about the minister who could not get funding for his rehabilitation program, even through it had a higher success rate compared to other programs; interested me because this clause was like a roadblock for this program just because it was religiously based. This clause has to draw a line somewhere, but the fact that the government cannot fund something so beneficial, because it is based on religion is puzzling.

According to Carter, “the principal task of the separation of church and state is to secure religious liberty” (104). This makes sense to a point, in order to make sure that everyone has a choice to their own religion the government must not support any, in order for it to seem as if no religion in prevalent. However, as this clause works along with the freedom of religion, it almost limits religious expansion, because without financial support a group or program is less likely to succeed.


Works cited
Carter, Stephen L. “The Separation of Church and State.” A World of Ideas: Essential Reading for College Writers. Lee A. Jacobus.7th ed. New York; Bedford St. Martins, 2006. pp 102-110.