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When the Puritans came to this part of the world they came in search of religious freedom. And yet, it was a freedom that was defined only in their terms. As noted in the introduction to this chapter about 80 percent of the population expresses a religious affiliation. The framers, however were rather limited in how they defined religious freedom limiting it to the First Amendment, which covers a lot of ground, including freedom of speech, the press, assembly and to petition Government.:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

We will spend some time on each of these fundamental freedoms that are treasured, and yet not always honored. Let’s start with this simple, but deceptively complex question:

1. What did de Tocqueville observe about religion in America, and how does this relate to religion in the United States today?