日本語

Early in their history, Americans rejected the concept of the established or government-favored religion that had dominated -- and divided -- so many European countries. Separation of church and state was ordained by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which provides in part that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...."

The First Amendment sounds straightforward, but at times it is difficult even for American constitutional scholars to draw a distinct line between government and religion in the United States. Students in public schools may not pray publicly as part of the school day, yet sessions of the U.S. Congress regularly begin with a prayer by a minister. Cities may not display a Christmas créche on public property, but the slogan "In God We Trust" appears on U.S. currency, and money given to religious institutions can be deducted from one's income for tax purposes. Students who attend church-affiliated colleges may receive federal loans like other students, but their younger siblings may not receive federal monies specifically to attend religious elementary or secondary schools.

It may never be possible to resolve these apparent inconsistencies. They derive, in fact, from a tension built into the First Amendment itself, which tells Congress neither to establish nor to interfere with religion. Trying to steer a clear course between those two dictates is one of the most delicate exercises required of American public officials.

• Being Muslim in America
• Freedom of Faith
• Religious Liberty Archive State and federal laws pertaining to religious freedom in the U.S.
• Religion and the Founding of the American Republic
• Thomas Jefferson on Religious Liberty: A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom in Virginia, 1786
• U.S. Constitution. First Amendment. FindLaw
• Witchcraft in Salem Village University of Virginia, Electronic Text Center

• American Religion Data Archive
• American Religious Identification Survey CUNY, Graduate Center
• Population: Religion - Statistical Abstract of the United States
• Lists of the Largest Religious Groups in America
• Religion Statistics Adherents.com
• Religious Affiliation of the U.S. Supreme Court

• The American Religious Experience
• Divining America: Religion and the National Culture
• Internal Revenue Service: Churches and Religious Orgnizations
• Online Resources for the Study of Religion Princeton University, Center for the Study of Religion
• The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life
• Quick Facts About The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church)
• Religion and the Founding of the American Republic
• Religious Groups Profiles
• Religion Gateway AcademicInfo
• Religion in American in the 21st Century 21st Century. Jean M. Fairclough
• Religious Liberty American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
• Virtual Religion Index Rutgers University