The First Amendment In Society Today

A Guide to the First Amendment

The First Amendment, sometimes called Amendment 1, is the first amendment to the United States Constitution
and is also one out of ten amendments in the Bill of Rights. The First Amendment makes it illegal to make a law
that establishes a religion, stops the freedom of speech, stops people from practicing their religion, stops the
press from printing what they want, and stops people from exercising their right to assemble peacefully or
demonstrating against the government.
Text of the First Amendment
The text of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution is the following:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
What Does the First Amendment Mean?
There are many key phrases in the first Amendment. Here are some explanations on what exactly they mean.
Freedom of religion: The First Amendment of the United States Constitution prevents the government from
setting up or establishing an official religion of the country. American Citizens have the freedom to attend a
church, mosque, synagogue, temple, or other house of worship of their choice. Because of the First
Amendment, we can practice our religion however we want to.
Freedom of speech: The First Amendment of the United States Constitution stops the government from making
any laws that may stop us from saying what we feel or think. The American people have the right to share their
opinions with other people or criticize the government.
Freedom of the press: Freedom of the press means we have the right to get information from many different
sources of information. The government does not have the power to control what is broadcasted on radio or TV,
what is printed in books or newspapers, or what is offered online. They may also their own online web pages
that have their opinions.
Freedom of assembly: American citizens have the right to come together in private and public gatherings. By
organizing in order to act on a common idea and accomplish a common goal, American citizens can more easily
spread their ideas to others.
Right to petition: The right to petition the government means that American citizens can ask for adjustments or
changes in the government. Another way they can petition the government is by creating support groups that try
to cause change by lobbying the government.

The First Amendment In Society Today

The U.S. Constitution was signed in 1789. It is the most important law of the country. The
First Amendment was added to the Constitution two years later. It is a law that protects
several freedoms. They are freedom of religion, speech, press, petition and assembly.
Freedom of petition means that people can tell the government what they want it to do.
Freedom of assembly is the right to march and protest.

Freedom Of Religion

The First Amendment does not allow an official religion in the U.S. This means that
everyone has a right to be whatever religion they want to be. The government cannot tell
people how to pray. It also cannot require prayer.

Public schools cannot hold prayer services. The government cannot give money to religious
schools.

Freedoms Of Speech And Of The Press

Free speech is one of our most important freedoms. There are limits to free speech. Judges
have to decide what are these limits.

World War I was fought between 1914 and 1918. A man named Charles Schenck was
against the war. He gave out papers asking men to not fight. The government said Schenck
threatened the safety of the country. The Supreme Court agreed. It said free speech cannot
cause danger to the country.

Three Types Of Speech

Judges say there are three kinds of free speech.

1. Pure speech is written or spoken words. They express thoughts and ideas. The
government cannot limit these.
2. Speech-plus is words and actions. Protests are one example of this. Speech-plus is not as
protected as pure speech. Actions can be dangerous. Protesters may not block traffic or
hurt people.

3. Symbolic speech is visual action. These symbols show a person's point of view. Wearing
a black armband in school was used as a symbol of protest in the late 1960s. It was used to
protest the war in Vietnam. In the 1960s some people burned flags. They were protesting
the war in Vietnam. In 1989, the Supreme Court said that people can even burn an
American flag. The media also has freedom of speech. In most cases, the government
cannot stop the media from printing information. It can only do this if the information will
cause danger to the country.

Freedom Of Assembly And Petition

Freedom of assembly and petition are also rights. There are limits to this, though. A
protest cannot stop traffic. It also cannot harm peace and quiet.

The First Amendment is very important and powerful. It protects freedom of religion,
speech, press, assembly and petition.