Freedom of religion—the right to practice, or not practice, faith without government interference—is protected by the First Amendment to the US Constitution. The Amendment states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." These two clauses, known as the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause, work together to prevent the government from both endorsing religion and interfering with its practice.
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Europe had limited religious tolerance for centuries, but always as a privilege granted by rulers who could revoke it. The First Amendment in the United States was unique for the time: it banned the government from interfering with religion, making religious freedom a permanent constitutional limit on state power.
This resource presents religious data by state, region, and nationwide. The primary religious group in the US is Christians, making up 62% of the adult population. 29% of US adults identify as religiously unaffiliated.
God or the divine is mentioned at least once in all 50 state constitutions and nearly 200 times overall. Massachusetts has the most, with eight references, and four states do not use the word "God" but instead refer to a "Supreme Being" or "Divine Guidance."
The study, conducted in 2007, 2014, and 2023-2024, surveys more than 35,000 Americans about their affiliations, beliefs, practices, and views on religion. Find data on religion broken down by all 50 states
A 2024 Pew survey found that over half of US adults (52%) favor allowing public school teachers to lead their classes in prayers that mention Jesus, though results vary widely by state.
Fleeing state-sponsored religious oppression in England and Europe, many early colonists sought freedom of conscience in the New World. Many—especially in New England—established their own religiously exclusive communities: they persecuted dissenters, expelled nonconformists, and enforced orthodoxy.
Eight of the thirteen British colonies in America had official, established churches, and laws mandated that everyone attend a house of worship and pay taxes that funded ministers' salaries.
Most Americans cite the amendment on free speech, but the First Amendment also protects religion, the press, peaceful assembly, and the right to petition the government—five separate guarantees in a single sentence.
This podcast examines the evolution of the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses, tracing their development from federal restrictions to state and local laws. Discover the believers who challenged the limits of religious freedom throughout American history.
Responding to Connecticut Baptists concerned about religious liberty, Jefferson described the First Amendment as building "a wall of separation between Church and State." The Supreme Court later cited the letter as an authoritative guide to the Establishment Clause.
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