How do the establishment and the free exercise clauses of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution differ? Define each and compare. How do these clauses influence issues of church and state in the American policymaking process? What is the role of the courts in this process?

What will be an ideal response?

The establishment clause forbids the establishment of a national religion, and the free exercise clause ensures that citizens are able to practice their religion freely. These clauses are different in that the framers intended the establishment clause to prevent the government from endorsing or supporting any particular religion, while the free exercise clause forbade the government to interfere with individuals practicing their religion. These clauses affect the American policymaking process because some see the clauses as competing with one another (the framers did not share this sentiment). This argument suggests that Supreme Court rulings designed to prohibit the establishment of religion also prevent individuals from free exercise of their religious beliefs, for example, at graduation events at public schools. These clauses are clarified through court decisions, primarily in the area of public education, that have addressed the limits of entanglement between the state and religion. Students could also identify the role of the courts in specific cases, including Kitzmiller v. Dover and Engel v. Vitale, among others.