What does the Free Exercise Clause prohibit the government from doing?

The Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment protects individuals' rights to practice their religion freely without undue interference from the government. This clause prohibits the government from limiting the practice of religion, ensuring that individuals can observe their faith, engage in religious activities, and express their beliefs.

In this context, the correct choice highlights a fundamental aspect of religious freedom: individuals should not face restrictions on how they practice their faith, whether that involves rituals, gatherings, or other expressions of belief.

While the other options involve various aspects of governmental interaction with religion, they do not specifically capture the essence of the Free Exercise Clause as clearly. For instance, mandating a specific religion would infringe on freedom of choice, and taxing religious institutions or regulating religious texts, while involving government action, do not directly relate to the core principle of allowing individuals to freely exercise their beliefs. The focus of the Free Exercise Clause is essentially about the protection of individual religious practices from government interference.