ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE

Provision in the First Amendment of the US Constitution prohibiting enactment of laws pertaining to “the establishment of religion.” It has been said that the establishment clause means that neither a state nor the federal government may set up a church; neither may pass laws that aid one religion, aid all religions or prefer one religion over another. In the words of Jefferson, the clause was intended to erect a “wall of separation between church and state.” Source: Barron's Dictionary of Legal Terms, Steven H. Gifis, 5th Edition; © 2016