[lawdog]

Regarding religion, the First Amendment was intended to accomplish three purposes. First, it was intended to prevent the establishment of a national church or religion, or the giving of any religious sect or denomination a preferred status. Second, it was designed to safeguard the right of freedom of conscience in religious beliefs against invasion solely by the national Government. Third, it was so constructed in order to allow the States, unimpeded, to deal with religious establishments and aid to religious institutions as they saw fit.

[tbird1]

WELL SAID!!
The colonists did not want a Church of England spectre
here.
tbird1

[sheltonmac]

Very well stated.

[tpaine]

Regarding religion, the First Amendment was intended to accomplish three purposes. First, it was intended to prevent the establishment of a national church or religion, or the giving of any religious sect or denomination a preferred status.

True enough. Congress could not 'respect an establishment' [a precept, dogma, rule, etc.] of any specific religion.

Second, it was designed to safeguard the right of freedom of conscience in religious beliefs against invasion solely by the national Government.

Solely? There's the rub. -- Our BOR's are part of the supreme law of the land, to which the states are bound therby. [Art. IV]

Third, it was so constructed in order to allow the States, unimpeded, to deal with religious establishments and aid to religious institutions as they saw fit.

The states must have a republican form of government. Thus they are impeded from establishing theocratic forms. [Art IV, Sec 4]