Freedom of Religion

Federalist No. 26 opens with a mention of the salutary boundary between POWER and PRIVILEGE (their caps) and the need to combine the energy of government with ensuring the security of private rights ...

Federalist 26 ordinarily is cited as supporting the need for a standing army. But it can also be seen as upholding the first part of the First Amendment. 26 works to accomplish security by ensuring the right to personal beliefs. Neither 26 nor the First Amendment refer to most religions. Neither identifies belief systems of which it approves or disapproves. Neither even hints at that kind of distinction.

Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...

• Congress shall make no law ... means just that - hands off.
• ... respecting the establishment of religion ... means the United States will never have an official faith.
• or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ... means that this country cannot constrain individuals from practicing their beliefs, whatever we might think of those beliefs.

However obliquely, each of us experiences the effects of this first part of the First Amendment. Here's an example.

Willie Mae Leech worked for my family for several years. Because my mom was employed outside the home, someone was needed to help with housekeeping. I did laundry, but dug in my heels where ironing (yes, it was that long ago) was concerned. That's where Mrs. Leech came in.

Once or twice a month, my dad would drive for about 45 minutes from our home in North Braddock to Mrs. Leech's home in the Hill District of Pittsburgh. He'd bring her back to our house, where she'd iron for four or five hours. Then we'd have a sandwich and something to drink, and he'd take her home.

During one of those noshing sessions, Mrs. Leech displayed real concern about an event much in the news at that time - the banning of required prayer in public schools. Trying to reassure her, my dad explained the action in the context of the First Amendment. She seemed relieved; I'd learned something.

Freedom of Religion: Assignment

For each of these faith traditions: Mahayana Buddhism Ismaili Islam Reconstructionist Judaism Unitarian - Universalism Mormonism cite one practice with which the public at large might be unfamiliar, and describe how failure fully to enforce the First Amendment might negatively affect that practice.

Freedom of Religion: More Material

Each of these resources can give you further insight into the relationship between Freedom of Religion as defined in the First Amendment, and the Federalist Papers.: Federalists and the First Amendment First Amendment Religion Clauses Public Education and the Public Good Taking Liberties with the First Amendment The First Amendment in the Colonial Press