Seeing as how this is a presidential election year (and given the state this country is in) I thought it would be appropriate to discuss the original 10 Amendments to the Constitution, properly known as the Bill of Rights.

Each week I'll post an Amendment (starting with #1 today) and we can discuss what they mean to us (as Americans), how they are perceived (by those outside the U.S.) how these rights are treated in today's world.

This discussion is not intended to be used as a flamer's battlefield, or to oppress others opinions or ideals. It's about history and about our future. We are merely passing through history, but the Constitution is history. I feel that many people take these rights for granted, forgetting the history and events behind the ratification of the Constitution that allows them to say what they want, watch what they want, read and preach what they want.

As President Harry S. Truman said in 1952 "Only as these documents are reflected in the thoughts and acts of Americans, can they remain symbols of power that can move the world. That power is our faith in human liberty …."

So, enough of my rambling, let's get to the point. I present to you know, the Preamble and the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States:

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Preamble of the Bill of Rights:

Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.

And now, here is the First Amendment to the Constitution.

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1st Amendment:

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.

Tell me: What does this mean to you?

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Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

What this means to me is that Congress is prohibited from setting up a national religion of any kind, or honoring one religion over another. They are also unable to stop anyone from practicing whatever religion they like. I think the second part gets overlooked in the 'Separation of Church and State' debate. I don't mind the Ten Commandments being posted somewhere any more than I'd mind a statue of Zeus, or a Star of David, or whatever in a public place, especially if the majority of that public finds meaning in it. It in no way harms me. And while it may cause some to bristle, I don't see it as promoting a religion. Perhaps this bristling can be mitigated by the addition of passages from other religious, historical, and mythological sources, just to keep them in context. Prohibiting kids from praying independently in school violates the second part of this. Sure, I get irritated by people who thrust their religion at me...I sometimes feel the mention of God and Jesus are out of place in certain public venues, but.....

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or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;

...this part makes it their right to do so, whether I agree or not. The only time the above right should be infringed is in matters of public safety (like shouting 'FIRE!' in a crowded building). If you are not physically harming or causing permanent psychological damage to someone, or threatening said damage or harm, then you should be able to say or print whatever you want. This is perhaps our second most important right. A close second to....

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or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

...this one. The right to assemble and to petition the Government is our most important right AND duty. WE the People must keep our government honest by calling them out when they step out of line. We're becoming complacent in this country. We don't protest nearly enough when our government works against us, or fails to work for us. We just wait for the next election. And we see how well that works...

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Originally posted by KiethBlackLion:
And now, here is the First Amendment to the Constitution.

[QUOTE]1st Amendment:

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.

Regardless of what your religious belief is (Christian, Muslim, Wiccan, Pagan, Bhuddist, Scientologist, Mormon or even Atheist) Yes I added atheist in there because this amendment gives you the right not to believe in any form of religion - You have the right to practice without any interference from the government.

It also means that our government can not declare a specific church as "the church of the US" like the british have the Church of England.

Just my 2 cents.

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Originally posted by RadicalX:
[QUOTE]Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

What this means to me is that Congress is prohibited from setting up a national religion of any kind, or honoring one religion over another. They are also unable to stop anyone from practicing whatever religion they like. I think the second part gets overlooked in the 'Separation of Church and State' debate. I don't mind the Ten Commandments being posted somewhere any more than I'd mind a statue of Zeus, or a Star of David, or whatever in a public place, especially if the majority of that public finds meaning in it. It in no way harms me. And while it may cause some to bristle, I don't see it as promoting a religion. Perhaps this bristling can be mitigated by the addition of passages from other religious, historical, and mythological sources, just to keep them in context. Prohibiting kids from praying independently in school violates the second part of this. Sure, I get irritated by people who thrust their religion at me...I sometimes feel the mention of God and Jesus are out of place in certain public venues, but.....

The 1st Amendement does mean freedom of Speech. I do agree with RadX on this, cuz society has been violating this Amendment thru Censorship & telling us not to pray in Public schools. Its should be the person's choice.

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Originally posted by RadicalX:
WE the People must keep our government honest by calling them out when they step out of line. We're becoming complacent in this country. We don't protest nearly enough when our government works against us, or fails to work for us. We just wait for the next election. And we see how well that works...

Sometimes when people do protest, they get tear gas and rubber bullets shot at them. And their fellow Americans tell them to leave the country, if they don't like it.

I'd say, what with the right-wing Christians controlling so many policies in the US, we're slowly doing away with this first Amendment.