Curated OER
Religious Expression in Public Schools
Students explore religious expression in the United States. In this religious freedom lesson, students read a handout regarding Religious Freedom Day and other handouts regarding religious expression in public schools. Students complete...
Curated OER
The First Amendment
In this government worksheet, students read the First Amendment to the United States Constitution before reading about the limitations of the laws. They answer 2 short answer questions about the freedoms, and write an essay on the back...
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Exploring Constitutional Law
Although the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, its interpretation is open to many opinions, causing great controversies. Students can read the Constitution as well as the many issues that surround the document. If that proves...
University of Missouri
Exploring Constitutional Conflicts: Marsh v Chambers, u.s. Supreme Court
Chief Justice Burger's majority opinion in the case of MARSH vs. CHAMBERS, 463 U.S. 783 (1983). The case dealt with whether an opening prayer in the Nebraska Legislature violated the First Amendment.
Other
University of Arkansas: The Ordeal of Religious Test Oaths in Pennsylvania
An argumentative essay on the underlying premise of political theory which deals with religious test oaths.
Yale University
Avalon Project: The Bill of Rights
Yale's School of Law provides the text of the ten original amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: The Free Exercise of Religion in America
Activity on first amendment rights and the protection of religious freedom. Students develop a deep understanding of religious liberty and how it has been interpreted as they examine the contoversies surrounding individual rights versus...
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Archiving Early America: Original Intent and the Free Exercise of Religion
This is a well-written and supported essay on the Constitution. It describes natural law as the basis for understanding the Constitution and argues that all constitutional interpretation should be based on the framers' intent.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Religion in America
Since the establishment of the United States religion has played a critical role in its identification as a nation. The original settlers had insisted on the separation of church and state. Find a collection of documents which...
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Religion and American Life
An evolving section, Religion and American Life, will address the roles of immigration and religious freedom in the United States paving a long and open road of religous traditions, literature and artwork.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Religion and American Law
The establishment of the new nation introduced the first nation to not be sanctioned with one specific religion. The United States founders, instead, asked that religion and government be separated. Review the history of the relationship...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Roger Williams
Highlights the life of Roger Williams, his defense of religious freedom in Boston, and the foundation of Rhode Island. Offers photographs of several important parts of his life.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Learn about the 1962 Supreme court case Engel v. Vitale, which addresses the issue of religion in education.
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Supreme Court: Cox v. New Hampshire (1941)
Full opinion of the United States Supreme Court in the Cox v. New Hampshire case (1941).
Thomson Reuters
Find Law: u.s. Constitution: First Amendment Protections
This resource contains an annotated look at the different topics covered within the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Click on any subtopic link for in-depth information about that part of the First Amendment.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: Religion in America: 25 Core Documents
A collection of 25 primary documents traces some of the central themes in the long, complex story of religion and politics in American history. Investigate the documents to comprehend religion and its relationship to American life.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Classroom: First Amendment
Annenberg Classroom summary and text of the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. Links to relevant news articles, video, and timeline.
Library of Congress
Loc: Religion and the Founding of American Rep.: Religion and the Federal Gov
This site from the Library of Congress presents selections of articles, writings, and pictures that summarize the beliefs of the early American politicians that morality and personal independence were essential for the country. Links to...
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: What Responsibilities Accompany Our Rights?
These are discussion topics to incorporate into your lesson on rights and responsibilities of citizens. Features questions to encourage debates or essay ideas. Also includes lesson plans.
Digital History
Digital History: Religious Freedom and the Founders
Read the background for the Founding Fathers' support of freedom of religion and separation of church and state. Included are parts of letters in which George Washington and Thomas Jefferson celebrate the fact that the United States was...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Freedom to Worship (Lesson Plan)
A lesson plan designed to investigate the conditions and difficulties facing immigrants who have sought religious freedom in the United States throughout history. Requires viewing of select segments from "Destination America," the...
Other
Office of Public Sector Information: Human Rights Act 1998
The Human Rights Act 1998 is published online including an interactive contents list, allowing you to go straight to particular sections.
Other
Our American Revolution: Revolutionary Faiths
Read about how religious belief shaped ideas in colonial America. There is the tug between faith and reason, freedom of religion, and politics and religion.
Other
Streetlaw: Rights in the Community
This website provides several links and introductory information on the Constitution, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, expression in special places, freedom of religion, due process, the right to privacy, discrimination, and...