The First Amendment protects religious freedoms in two different ways.What are the free exercise clause and the establishment clause,and how do they differ from each other? Describe some recent controversies surrounding the maintenance of a "wall of separation" between church and state and how they have been addressed by the Supreme Court.What are some recent controversies involving the free exercise of religion,and how have they been addressed by the Supreme Court?

There are three components to this question.
a.Defining free exercise and the establishment clause: The establishment clause says that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." This means that a "wall of separation" exists between church and state.The free exercise clause protects a citizen's right to believe and practice whatever religion he or she chooses.
b.Recent controversies regarding the "wall of separation": Controversies include school prayer (where the Court has consistently struck down practices such as Bible reading,nondenominational prayer,a moment of silence for meditation,and pregame prayer at public sporting events)and public displays of religious symbols (where the Court's rulings have been inconclusive).
c.Recent controversies involving free exercise of religion: The Supreme Court has been fairly consistent and strict in protecting the free exercise of religious belief.In recent years,the principle of free exercise has been bolstered by rulings and statutes prohibiting religious discrimination by public and private entities in a variety of realms including hiring (EEOC v.Abercrombie & Fitch Stores,Inc. ),land use,and the treatment of prison inmates (Holt v.Hobbs).