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You are simply ignoring the existence of the supremacy clause. The BOR's when ratified became the Law of the Land.
All states were bound therby, and were well aware of this constitutional fact.

The bill of rights were made to restrain all levels of our governments fed /state/local, from violating individual rights.

Sure, only congress is specified for the 'make no law' of the 1st amendment, precisely because some states had official religions they would not politically abandon.
It was a compromise wording on a delicate subject, as per the slavery issue.

But clearly the rest of the BOR's apply to the individual rights of people, --- and in two instances, states are mentioned.

The 6th enumerates how criminal prosecutions are to be held in state courts, in detail.

The 10th says that certain powers are prohibited to states.

So, because some states had official religions, the first amendment is directed towards congress, but that somehow, magically got turned into something that can deny any religious expression whatever?

Nonsense.

Read it again. Go out and buy "Hooked on Phonics" or something. It is what is says it is. Congress may pass no law, one way or the other.

As you well know the First Amendment reads: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Religion as defined by Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary: 1) The service and worship of God or the supernatural, 2) commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance, 3) a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs and practices; 4) a cause, principle, or system of belief held to with ardor and faith.

Congress as defined by Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary: The supreme legislative body of a nation and especially of a republic.

So now insert the definitions into the First Amendment and this is how it reads: The supreme legislative body of this nation shall make no law respecting an establishment of 1) The service and worship of God or the supernatural, 2) commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance, 3) a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs and practices; 4) a cause, principle, or system of belief held to with ardor and faith, or prohibiting the free exercise of 1) The service and worship of God or the supernatural, 2) commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance, 3) a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs and practices; 4) a cause, principle, or system of belief held to with ardor and faith; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

It would appear that only the misinformed could read the First Amendment any other way.