Which of the following correctly explains the purpose of the establishment clause of the First Amendment?(1 point) Responses The clause was designed to prevent the government from creating an official government religion. The clause was designed to prevent the government from creating an official government religion. The clause was designed to protect the publication of dissenting viewpoints. The clause was designed to protect the publication of dissenting viewpoints. The clause was designed to prevent the government from interfering with an individual’s religious belief. The clause was designed to prevent the government from interfering with an individual’s religious belief. The clause was designed to increase an individual’s freedom of expression.
The correct response is: The clause was designed to prevent the government from creating an official government religion.
The correct explanation of the purpose of the establishment clause of the First Amendment is: The clause was designed to prevent the government from creating an official government religion.
The correct option is "The clause was designed to prevent the government from creating an official government religion." The purpose of the establishment clause, which is part of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, is to ensure that the government does not establish or promote a specific religion as the official religion of the country. This clause was included to protect religious freedom and prevent the government from favoring one particular religion over others.
To arrive at this answer, I analyzed each option and determined that the other options do not accurately describe the purpose of the establishment clause. The option "The clause was designed to protect the publication of dissenting viewpoints" refers more to the freedom of speech and press, which is covered by the First Amendment's free speech and free press clauses. Similarly, the option "The clause was designed to prevent the government from interfering with an individual’s religious belief" touches upon the concept of the free exercise of religion, which is also protected by the First Amendment. Lastly, the option "The clause was designed to increase an individual’s freedom of expression" is too broad and does not specifically address the establishment clause.