Understanding the Free Exercise Clause

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects individuals' rights to practice their religion without government interference. This principle is rooted in two clauses: the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause. Understanding these clauses is crucial to grasping how the government interacts with religious practices and beliefs.

One landmark Supreme Court case that exemplifies the interpretation of these clauses is Employment Division v. Smith (1990), where the Court held that a state could deny unemployment benefits to workers fired for using illegal drugs for religious purposes. This decision led to discussions about the balance between governmental interests and religious freedoms.

What does the Free Exercise Clause specifically protect?