Legal Definitions - religion, freedom of

Definition:Freedom of religion is the right to follow any religion or no religion at all, to practice or not practice religious beliefs, and to be free from government interference or promotion of religion. This right is guaranteed by the First Amendment and Article VI, § 3 of the U.S. Constitution.

For example, a person has the right to choose to be a Christian, Muslim, Hindu, or any other religion, or to choose not to follow any religion. The government cannot force a person to follow a particular religion or punish them for not following one. Additionally, the government cannot promote or favor one religion over another.

These examples illustrate how freedom of religion protects an individual's right to choose their own beliefs and protects them from government interference or coercion in matters of religion.