Which of the following was the primary purpose for including the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment?
A. to encourage people to attend the religious service of their own choice
B. to make sure people could establish their own church
C. to make sure states could establish whatever religion the majority wanted
D. to restrict the power of government over the rights of individual citizens
D. to restrict the power of government over the rights of individual citizens
The primary purpose for including the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment was:
D. to restrict the power of government over the rights of individual citizens
The primary purpose for including the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment was to restrict the power of government over the rights of individual citizens. To determine the correct answer, we can analyze the options provided.
Answer choice A suggests that the Establishment Clause was included to encourage people to attend the religious service of their own choice. While freedom of religion is protected by the First Amendment, the specific purpose of the Establishment Clause is more focused on the relationship between government and religion.
Answer choice B states that the Establishment Clause was included to ensure that people could establish their own church. While the First Amendment guarantees individuals the right to the free exercise of religion, the Establishment Clause is designed to address the relationship between government and religion, rather than the personal establishment of a church.
Answer choice C suggests that the Establishment Clause was included to ensure that states could establish whatever religion the majority wanted. However, the Establishment Clause was actually intended to prevent the government, including both federal and state governments, from establishing a national religion or showing preferential treatment to any particular religion.
Answer choice D correctly reflects the primary purpose of the Establishment Clause. It was included in the First Amendment to restrict the power of government over the rights of individual citizens. This means that the government cannot impose or promote a particular religious belief or practice.
Therefore, the correct answer is D.