With respect to religion, government has set out to establish a wall of separation between church and state. The Supreme Court has interpreted the establishment clause in the First Amendment in such a way that government is prevented from giving assistance to religious institutions. Over the years, however, indirect and incidental assistance of parochial schools has been tolerated. The free exercise clause of the First Amendment protects religious beliefs but not the actions based upon those beliefs. Thus government is allowed to regulate antisocial behavior that stems from a constitutionally protected right.
Freedom of expression is one of the vital characteristics of a democratic system.
The freedom of expression clause of the First Amendment confers the right to unrestricted public discourse that does not threaten public order. The Supreme Court has defined the kinds of behavior that constitute a threat to public order through the clear and present danger test. Over the years the Court has expanded the latitude of political expression that does not present real danger to society. Symbolic expression, such as wearing black armbands to protest the Vietnam War, has been protected by the Court. There are two noted exceptions to freedom of speech.