Question Of The Week, 11/6/05
Good Morning. This weeks question will be the first of a series of questions about something that has been the subject of many debates and legal disputes, the Bill Of Rights. There is no need to get out the Legal Dictionary to define each word. This weeks Question Of The Week is. In your opinion what is the meaning of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution? I'll post my answer in the Comment Section Monday night.
God Bless America, God Save The Republic.
God Bless America, God Save The Republic.
posted by David Schantz | 1:47 AM
5 Comments:
That "Congress shall make no law" concerning these personal rights, does not preclude the states from making their own laws that may impinge on these personal rights. No doubt though, that it is a good model for the states to emulate. At the time of its writing, official religions were in place from city to city and state to state, and the adoption of the "Bill of Rights" was not, at that time, thought to overule these local governances. Such decentralization encourages localities to secure for themselves the freedoms that they are to live with.
I think it shows that the government cannot stop your from protesting and speaking out against what you believe is wrong and unjust. It also allows you to sue the government.
Most people in America don't have an understanding that they can say what they want, the are concerned they could offend someone. The government owned schools have failed at teaching children their rights.
Churches are to be free from government control and each person is free to practice the religion of his or her choice.We are free to express our feelings verbally or in print. We can form groups to discuss the countrys problems and hold our elected officials accountable for their actions.
I want to thank you for stopping by. Chances are you already have an idea about what next weeks question will be. I hope you will stop back to answer it.
God Bless America, God Save The Republic.
Not only is each person free to practice the religion of his/her choice. "No establishment of religion" refers to not permitting taxpayer-funded churches. America led the way in separating church from state even though several colonies had tax-supported churches. Also note that our Founders were very open about religious expression: they began sessions with prayer. Furthemore, The Ten Commandments are engraved on the Supreme Court Building.
As to the other freedoms in the First Amendment, limitations exist. For example, Freedom of Speech does not allow for utterances which endanger public safety. State and local ordinances exist in this regard.
There is much more to say about the Bill of Rights. My government class is, right now, studying the Amendments to the Constitution. I work with homeschoolers, so we do not fail to study the essence of what our Founders believed.
Also, I want to remind everyone that many states would not ratify the Constitution without the specifications in the Bill of Rights. Our Founders wanted to be certain that individual freedoms and states' rights would be clearly guaranteed, in very specific language.
A good source: The Politically Incorrect Guide to American History. I reference this book all the time with my history and government classes.
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is a part of the United States Bill of Rights that protects freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, and right to petition. Take a look at http://assistedlivinglittlerockarkansas.com
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