Publication Date

Winter 2024

Degree Level

B.A.

Program

Political Science

First Advisor

Garcia, Sonia

Document Type

Thesis

LCSH subject

U.S. states -- Politics and government; Church and state -- United States

Abstract

The Establishment Clause, since its creation in 1787, has worked towards creating a separation of church and state rooted in religious liberty after colonists fled England and the Church of England. In the centuries that have passed, the judiciary branch of the United States has been creating lasting precedents for how the Establishment Clause should be illustrated in the National Government and in the states. However, the long-lasting division between church and state has been decreasing, especially following a recent Supreme Court decision: Kennedy v. Bremerton School District (2022). The ramifications of entangling church and the state include, but are not limited to, religious coercion and a potential lack of religious liberty. This is significant in historically religious states like Texas where lawmakers have been attempting to advance their religious agenda more and more as time goes on.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

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