The "Establishment Clause" is the 1st Amendment provision that prevents the creation of a religious government. The opening words of the 1st Amendment form this "Establishment Clause,," which prohibits the government from establishing a religion. That is, the government cannot set up a church or create laws that aid a particular religion or favors some types of religion over others..
Here is what the 1st Amendment states: "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."
The clause "separation of church and state" prevents the creation of a religious government. this means that the government cannot make laws based on a religious belief.
