|
|
||
|
|
||
Thinking about Freedom of Religion Locally and NationallyEssential Questions:How did separation of church and state play out after the Revolution in Vermont/Barre? How do the U.S. Constitution and the Vermont 1777 Constitution relate to each other? How did national documents and issues impact Vermont communities? Background Information:Issues of religious freedom appear in local Town Meeting records as well as in state and national documents. Considered together, these documents complicate our typical understanding of religious freedom and the separation of church and state in early America. The 1777 Vermont constitution recognizes "an unalienable right to worship Almighty God' according to one's own conscience, but at the same time it demands that "every sect or denomination of people ought to observe the Sabbath." A 1779 Vermont law dictates how the Sabbath "ought" to be observed, prohibiting labor, sport, and travel anywhere other than to worship, and prescribing heavy fines and other penalties (including whipping in certain circumstances). How does all this square with the 1st Amendment? That foundational principle says that Congress may not make laws establishing religion or prohibiting its free exercise—in other words, the Constitution leaves the regulation of religious practice up to the states. In fact, Vermont did not fully terminate public support of the majority church in a town through taxes until 1807. The series of questions in this activity spiral from accessing prior knowledge (free write: When you hear the words "Freedom of Religion" what does it mean to you? ) to gathering evidence (descriptive: When was this document written?) to summarizing (analysis: What are some key words that tell you what this document is about?) to creating context (interpretation: What is the purpose or intent of this document?). Evidence is then brought together in a synthesizing question: How does your perception of freedom of religion in America change after examining these documents? Materials:The First Amendment to the United States Constitution Vermont's 1777 Constitution, Chapter 1 An Act for the due observation and keeping the first day of the week as the Sabbath or LORD'S day; and for punishing disorders and profaneness on the same, 1779 Barre Town Meeting Record, March 3, 1794 Activity Plan:4-Minute Free Write: When you hear the words "Freedom of Religion" what does it mean to you? Small groups: Examine the 4 primary documents and fill out the worksheet, being careful to provide textual evidence. Group discussion: How does your perception of freedom of religion in America change after examining these documents? |
||
