freedom of religion

noun phrase

: the right to choose what religion to follow and to worship without interference

Examples of freedom of religion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The lawsuit claimed that churches have the right to serve as a homeless shelter under the First Amendment’s freedom of religion. —Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 5 Feb. 2025

American Jews weren’t spared, in a country that guarantees freedom of religion. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 30 Jan. 2025

The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits the government from establishing a set religion. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024

The Trump campaign told Newsweek that Harris and the Democratic Party had abandoned the Mormon community, however, and attacked the freedom of religion. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

Rhymes for freedom of religion

• irreligion
• pigeon

Legal Definition

freedom of religion

freedom of re·​li·​gion

: the right especially as guaranteed under the free exercise clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to practice one's religion or exercise one's beliefs without intervention by the government and to be free of the exercise of authority by a church through the government see also free exercise clause

Note: The freedom of religion as guaranteed by the First Amendment can be overcome by a showing by the government of a compelling state interest. On this basis, practices used in some religions, such as bigamy, are prohibited despite the First Amendment guarantee.