What is the scope of the religious clauses of the First Amendment?

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and establishes two "religious clauses" that are applicable to all states, including New York. The two religious clauses are the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause. The Establishment Clause prohibits the government from making any law that establishes any religion as the official religion or endorses a particular faith over another. This means the government may not pass laws that favor one religion over another and must remain neutral on all matters of religious belief. The Free Exercise Clause prohibits the government from making any law that prohibits the free exercise of any religion. This means that the government must not only allow citizens to practice their religion without interference, but must also provide them with the necessary accommodations to do so. This includes providing religious institutions with tax-exempt status and protecting religious groups from discrimination based on their faith. Both the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment protect the religious freedoms of individuals in New York and throughout the United States. They ensure that no person is forced to adhere to one particular religion and that the government will not impede on civil liberties regarding religion.

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What is the scope of the religious clauses of the First Amendment?

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