Originally Posted by PR_Tom

Ok yes, the title of the amendment is "of", but in practice it's really freedom from a congressionally established religion, and freedom from persecution for practicing whatever religion we want.

After all, some of the very first colonists fled to America for the very reason that they were being persecuted based on their religions. Thats why it's the 1st amendment.

I also feel that in everyday life, people interpret the phrase "freedom of religion" as being a protection for churches (which it is) but not as protection for citizens (which is it's 1st real purpose).

Whereas the phrase "freedom from religion" much more clearly tells that the main purpose is to protect the citizens from the imposition of any particular religion over another.