Why is the first amendment debatable?

Question

Why is the first amendment debatable?

Answer 1

Just off the top of my head I'd like to say that (wdx2bb) your example wasn't good. Some one saying that 9/11 was justified would be their own opinion and like it or not there's not a darn thing anyone can do about it! Now yelling "FIRE" in a crowded room when there is no fire, with the intention to incite a panic is not free speech and is a crime.

Back to the question... Many people interpret the wording differently, they try to interject to much of their own personal feelings and biases into the meaning.

The very first line simply says that as far as Congress (the law of the land) is concerned it shall make NO laws for or against any religion and that religion (as far as the law knows) don't even exist. Now the next part about free exercise means that (the law) will not in any way keep you from practicing any or no religion you want to.

Now the next part about speech means that Congress can not limit your right to speak your mind or manipulate the press. You have the right to the truth, good or bad.

The last part means that you have the right to get together with others and strike or talk or just sit in a circle and hold hands...whatever. Plus you have the right to complain to the law makers if you don't like what their doing.

In closing, by looking at all this stuff it can be easy to see why lots of people get confused about the first Amendment. It's a big one and certain people like to imposse their own beliefs on to it. That's where the problems start.

http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html

Answer 2

Because freedom of speech is not absolute.

As was brought up in a court case, people do not have the right to yell "fire" in a crowded movie house. There are obvious cases of libel and slander.

Knowing all that, the debate comes down to where the line is. And it can get emotional. Taking a ridiculous example, let's say someone came out and said the 9/11 attacks were justified. That's going to raise a lot of emotion, but is the speaker just using his freedom of speech? Or has he/she gone too far?

Answer 3

Why were u allowed to ask this qstn?
The 1st amendment is debateable because some people believe that free speech should be limited to that which is not "offensive" &/or what is politically correct. Free speech is the manifestation of our god-given ability to to have free- thinking. As we voice our thoughts, no matter how outrageous our thoughts might be, the fact that we can voice our thoughts, is and always will be, an important part of our "American" rights. Free speech keeps everybody free from government tyranny and/or control from any particular group.
I don't know the person or whom he was referring to, but someone said, in reference to a racist group, that he absolutely dis-agreed with what the group was saying, but he also said, that he absolutely supported the group's rights, to say what they were saying.
We might not like what someone says about something or someone, but if we are allowed to voice our thoughts to our friends, in an editorial page, or on a radio talk show, we are exchanging ideas that allow us to think in different directions than, what we might have otherwise, thought. Nobody should be limited to only saying or speaking in some specific fashion, as directed by another. We should all be allowed to speak our minds and though some would say, that we should only speak kindly, or not at all, those are people looking to control speech... as well as our thoughts.
The 1st ammendment is only debateable if we want it to be debateable. In the meanwhile, we need to continue to share our thoughts and our qstns... just as you have been allowed to do here, in this forum!

Answer 4

some people claim slander is protected by free speech, but people still get in trouble for it