After reading the First Amendment, tell me what it means to you?

Question

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Answer 1

The first amendment was put first because it was the most important to the Founding Fathers, it established the most important principles of the nation they were trying to create.

The government shall not make any religion a "state religion", or stop any person from practicing their religion (or lack thereof). This country was founded by people fleeing religious persecution, so the ability to worship as they pleased was important to them.
Freedom of speech means simply that you are free to express yourself without fear of being punished for expressing unpopular opinions. In the words of Thomas Jefferson "Sir, though I disagree with what you say, I would give my very life for your right to say it." The same applies to the press, the government cannot censor the press or stop them from publishing things that are embarassing to those in power. There are still many countries that have governmental control of the press and the press serve as nothing more that government propaganda machines.
The right of the people to peaceably assemble is also important; the government cannot use force to stop people from gathering to "petition the Government for a redress of greivances". In other words, we are allowed to get together and let the government know we're angry about something and we want it changed.
To me, the First Amendment sets the tone: it tells the government what it cannot do, what rights it cannot take away; it tells the government that it will always have to answer to the people, and the people will always have the freedom to express their displeasure with the actions of the government.

Answer 2

The Congress is forbidden to make laws that would limit or prevent an individual or a group from starting a religion and Congress cannot pass any laws preventing anyone from practicing their religion.
Congress is further forbidden to pass any law that would limit the freedom of speech or freedom of the press.
Congress cannot pass laws that limit the right of the people to peaceably assemble, or meet together.
Congress cannot pass any law that limits the right of the people to complain to the government and ask for the government to hear their complaints.

The amendment doesn't give us any rights, it recognizes that citizens already HAVE these rights and it's purpose it to prevent the government from limiting them or taking them away.

Answer 3

It means that nobody can be tried for crimes without being indicted by a Grand Jury unless they are a member of the military.

Also, that nobody can be tried twice for the same crime, If they are acquitted, they are free to go.

And, nobody can be forced to to testify against them-self or be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process.

And lastly, one should be justly compensated for any property taken fro public use.

My bad, I thought you said fifth amendment, I'll start over.




Amendment I

Congress shall not make any laws that support a religion or any laws that prohibit the practicing of a religion.

And the congress shall not make any laws that abridge the freedom of speech, freedom of press, the right to protest and the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Answer 4

It means that I have the right to peaceably express myself without the government stopping me -- even if they don't like what I have to say.

I predict there will be people who say it's only lip service and it doesn't really mean anything anymore. But if that were true, they'd never be able to say that, would they?

Answer 5

I hope someone gives you a good, clear answer on this because I want to know, too. An amendment is important but it's all gobbledygook to me. What a shame.

Answer 6

Its intention is to give the people a lot of freedom!

Answer 7

Way too much to put into one answer. Funny thing is, there aren't too many people who understand it.