Should the following wording be a part of the U.S. Constitution? Why? What does it mean to all citizens of this country if it is part of the Constitution? What does it mean to you?
"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 peaceable to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
I know it is apart of it, but i have a paper due and i need some opinions please!
2007-05-12 05:15:33 · 6 answers · asked by Joey P 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I dont get what the text in the constitution is saying.
2007-05-12 07:25:55 · update #1
Why do I get the feeling that you're asking us to do your homework for you? Anyway, seeing as that's the First Amendment, it is a vital part of the constitution and what makes America the greatest nation in the world. The fact that one of the first laws this country ever made gave us the right to worship how we want and criticize our government? How many nations did that before America did?
2007-05-12 05:22:37 · answer #1 · answered by kurushio95 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Our forefathers came from various countries where they had been killed for being Christians, at the very least punished. They were trying to protect our rights to practice any religion that we wanted. They did not have that freedom.
In England the church was run by the state. Now imagine if your preacher got up and only preached what the government approved. I think that would be called propaganda. If people spoke against the government they were imprisoned.
They were trying to protect us from unscrupulous politicians like we have now.
More specific: Congress cannot establish a church. They cannot prohibit anyone from establishing a church. Congress cannot tell the pastors of their churches what they can or cannot preach about. Congress cannot interfere with the news. Congress cannot stop 10,000 people from assembling as long as they are peaceful. Martin Luther King used this basic right exactly as our forfathers intended for it to be used.
It is a little hard to understand because it is in Old English, but if you know their history, it makes absolute sense.
2007-05-19 15:10:39 · answer #2 · answered by Cindy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read this: http://freethought.mbdojo.com/foundingfathers.html
Religious leaders in this country twist the words and intentions of our founding fathers and the constitution. The religious right has, in the past 10 or so years, used their power and influence over their followers to sway voters using issues like abortion and gay marriage, and in return the GOP has to make laws to please them. This is a very dangerous thing for all of us and is exactly what our founding fathers were trying to prevent by the words you quote above.
2007-05-12 05:22:47 · answer #3 · answered by justagirl33552 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Apparently these are rights already enshrined in the constitution amending which is a long process!
2007-05-12 05:25:00 · answer #4 · answered by Sami V 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi! first day ever on this site.actually i don't see why not the words "Congress Shall"meaning the principle,order and respect of how you address every authoritarian of certain situations and its shows when you address,Congress shall do this.congress shall not.
2007-05-19 18:22:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you dont get it because its written in english...
2007-05-18 04:28:41 · answer #6 · answered by john 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋