The 1st Amendment

By Joseph Barrow

Copy of Bill of Rights

Source: archive.gov/founding docs


        

   The 1st ten Amendments to the Constitution are known as the "Bill of Rights." These are right's that every Citizen of the United States enjoys. Today we are going to look at the 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."

    A little history on the "establishment clause." Many immigrants from Europe came to America fleeing religious persecution in their home countries where there was an official state-established religion and all other religions were prohibited.  

    Also in many European countries, it was illegal to say or print anything against the Rulers of their country. It was also illegal to assemble in protest of any government action that they disagreed with.

   This Amendment was added to protect citizens against an oppressive government.

Hello, I am a 57 years old male who spent time in the Military, has about 2 1/2 years of college, worked at Wal-Mart and other low-paying jobs before I started driving a truck. Spent over 20 years driving a truck before my wife's health forced me to come off the road to take care of her.

Comments

  1. UtahBeachJune 30, 2022 at 3:40 PM

    There are two competing parts to this amendment: the establishment clause and the free exercise clause. Right now, we have a SCOTUS that leans toward the free exercise clause, as in the Bremerton case. Now, I disagree on their decision based on the statements of some of the players who felt uncomfortable. Must wonder if this had been a Muslim football coach, would he have gotten as much support. I can see that coming next. There are several Muslim coaches out there and will have to see if one of them makes a case.
    Bremerton is a fairly conservative area (huge naval base) and the entire peninsula is very conservative. I understand the sentiment. To me, you always err on the side of a secular environment in a public space to protect the minority believers (non Christians). There are plenty places to pray for everyone. Let's leave the field to football.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. USConstitutionfortodaybyJJuly 5, 2022 at 11:45 AM

      I will respectfully disagree, the reason is the 9th Amendment, basically, says "The enumeration of certain, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the People.' If we do not equally protect every right retained by the People, then no one's rights are sacred. Liberals have been using the 'Protecting the Rights of the Minorities' as an excuse to restrict the rights of people they disagree with for years. With the recent decisions, the Supreme Court has said 'NO MORE' will this restriction of speech be tolerated.

      Delete
  2. USConstitutionfortodaybyJJuly 5, 2022 at 12:07 PM

    Free exercise of religion was protected, and it also refused to establish the religion of Anti-Christ as the official State religion.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UtahBeachJuly 5, 2022 at 7:45 PM

    Joe, Coach Kennedy has the right to pray in a lot of places: Church, home, to himself. Why in the middle of the field? He was not allowed to pray in one place and he had to sue? Sounds like abuse of the Courts to me.
    We were taught growing up that our religious beliefs were personal and not to be showy about it ever. Praying in public was frowned upon in my very religious neighborhood. No one prayed at a game, even in my CYO or other Catholic League games. The only invocation we ever had was at the opening of a Little League field by the Monsignor or occasionally the first game of a season. I grew up in an area with 3 Catholic Churches, 2 Synagogues, 1 AME, 1 Episcopalian Church and a Lutheran one just a mile down the road. I still frown upon public displays of religiosity and think society is better without them. But I predict a Muslim coach will head to the courts and would like to see if he gets mutual support. Stay well

    ReplyDelete
  4. USConstitutionfortodaybyJJuly 14, 2022 at 10:16 PM

    So let's make sure I understand what you're saying, you agree that people should have their rights under the 1st Amendment violated because you do not like what they are doing. That is the very reason for the free exercise clause in the 1st Amendment. I have been to many public, non-religious events where the Iman from a local Mosque started the proceedings by praying to Allah, and no one complained. It seems to me that Christians are the only ones to get their religious freedoms consistently violated.

    ReplyDelete

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