Essay on Love: United States Constitution and Freedom

Submitted By emelysophia
Words: 6967
Pages: 28
Open Document
The First Amendment: Basic Liberties

The First Amendment is perhaps the most important part of the Bill of Rights. It protects five of the most basic liberties. They are freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom to petition the government to right wrongs. These were the guarantees that the Antifederalists missed most in the new Constitution.

Freedom of Religion

Freedom of religion means that the government may not force you to accept one set of religious beliefs nor may it interfere with the way you worship.

One of the most heated debates of our time involves the issue of prayer and schools. Do students have the right to pray in class? Or would a prayer interfere with another student's rights "not" to pray? A number of cases have been brought before the Supreme Court to settle this matter. The Supreme Court has held that prayers or even a moment of silence would violate the principles of the First Amendment.

Freedom of Speech

This freedom entitles American citizens to say what they think, provided they do not intentionally hurt someone else's reputation by making false accusations. Neither may they make irresponsible statements deliberately harmful to others, such as yelling, "Fire!" in a crowded theater when there is no fire. There are many issues about which Americans disagree, from child-rearing practices to baseball teams to Presidential candidates. Freedom of speech enables people to state their opinions openly to try to convince others to change their minds.

The First Amendment also gives you the right to disagree with what others say without fear of punishment by the government authorities. However, if you make an outrageous statement, such as, "The earth is flat," free speech will not keep people from making fun of you. If you express an unpopular opinion — for example, that students do not get enough homework — don't be surprised if your classmates avoid you. The First Amendment does not prevent social or peer pressure to conform to what others think.

Freedom of speech

This freedom makes it possible for Americans to keep informed about what is going on in government. It helps them to be responsible citizens. Reporters and editors can criticize the government without the risk of punishment, provided they do not deliberately tell lies. Newspapers, magazines, and books, as well as television and movie scripts, do not have to be submitted for government inspection before they are published. This censorship would violate the First Amendment.

Freedom of Assembly

This freedom makes it possible for Americans to join clubs or political parties, even if those groups represent unpopular views. Because of the First Amendment, people can join groups to promote animal rights, the nuclear freeze, or conservation. They can join groups to protest government intervention in Haiti, imported clothes and shoes, toxic wastes, or aid to Serbia or Bosnia. By sharing common interests, Americans can learn to work together. There are groups devoted to the interests of young people. Scout troops and 4-H clubs are but two examples.

Freedom to Petition

This important freedom allows people to tell the government what they think is needed. They can try to prevent the government from acting in a certain way. They can complain to the government without fear of penalty when things aren't going the way they should. For example, if people dump garbage near your school, you and your parents can petition the government to clean it up. Freedom to petition helps the government to clean it up. Freedom to petition can also let the government know how well it is doing its job.

The Second Amendment: The Right to Bear Arms

The Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms, a right that dates back to England before the Magna Carta. The English Bill of Rights protected the right of Protestants to own and carry weapons, but denied that right to
Show More

Related Documents: Essay on Love: United States Constitution and Freedom

Essay about Is the Constitution Still Relevant?

The constitution, it is the supreme law of the United States of America, mandating everything from how the government is structured, to the rights of its proud citizens; but is it still applicable to America today? With our high end technology and liberalist government, how does this old piece of paper written over 200 hundred years ago really fit in to the modern day united states? We learn about and study this document in our US history classes, but people do not realize its great importance. To…

Words 579 - Pages 3

Essay on Same Sex Marriages

The Constitution of the United States of America is essentially the law of the land. It sets the stage and creates the foundation and source of the legal authority for the United States of America including the federal, state & local governments. When the authors of the Constitution wrote the constitution they were aware that changes would be made over time in order to keep up with the ever changing society. As time progressed many laws and regulations that the government and state have upheld have…

Words 3045 - Pages 13

Same-Sex Marriage: The Birthright Of Love

Same-sex Marriage: The Birthright of Love Throughout time, countless people have been persecuted and killed because of other's closed-mindedness. Husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, grandparents, and grandchildren were cut-off from their beliefs and hope of equality. The U.S. has a history of segregation and discrimination, but has consistently changed laws to support the founding principle that all people are created equal. Currently, the U.S. is continuing this trend of promoting equality…

Words 2114 - Pages 9

Rights And Responsibilities Of American Citizens

been many published works and speeches that have led to the shaping of the United States of America. They have also given American citizens their freedom, rights, and responsibilities. As American citizens, we have to uphold these rights and responsibilities. Three responsibilities that I feel each American citizen should follow are: support the Constitution, honor your rights, and defend our country. The Constitution was brought forth to this nation in the year 1787. This document is considered…

Words 640 - Pages 3

Colin Kaepernick's Constitutional Rights

A military, flag and their country because he loves his country and just wants to change U.S.A better than before. For example, when parents find their…

Words 669 - Pages 3

Gay Marriage Research Paper

and a woman and not with same sex couples. State wide there are laws banning same sex couples from receiving matrimony crushing the hearts of these innocent citizens who are only asking for the same right as everyone else. The majority of the population believes that the legalization of gay marriage will have negative impact on the society. However does the government have the right to give marriage a definition? Who are we to say who someone should love? Homosexuality has been in our society for…

Words 757 - Pages 4

Progressive Movement Essay

injustice, labor laws, industrial regulations, and more. Indeed Progressives’ province of influence desired to extend over a broad spectrum of economic, governmental, societal, and ethical reforms. Further, Progressives’ ideology regarding the Constitution was greatly predicated upon the viewpoints of John Locke and James Madison . However, despite their perceived inclination for social issues, the political economy was the key and central component of their notions. Moreover, as Epstein maintains…

Words 529 - Pages 3

Summary: The Ten Dollar Founding Father Alexander Hamilton

government and capitalism. As a founding father and first Secretary of Treasury of the United States, Hamilton left a game-changing mark on the structure of the United States Government, financial,…

Words 1335 - Pages 6

Essay on Four Freedoms and Hippie

time exercising America’s most fundamental principle; freedom. Hippies of the counterculture yearned to live a life stretched far from America’s fundamental ideals, yet failed to realize the very principles, which they were yearning to stray from are what ultimately allowed them to live and express themselves so liberally. The radical hippies of the counterculture constantly rejected mainstream American life but did not resist enjoying the freedoms and benefits, which the country offered them on a daily…

Words 2501 - Pages 11

Essay On Flag Desecration

The United States of America is known as the “land of the free”, but some people who live here take that for granted. This country’s citizens are protected by the Constitution, which includes the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. In addition, the United States flag is a symbol of independence, freedom, victory, perseverance, and justice. To burn and destroy it is a vulgar disrespect to the many generations of soldiers who paid the ultimate price and current living veterans who…

Words 586 - Pages 3