Constitution needed to clearly outline what the government was not allowed to do. This restraint on government would not allow the possibility of an abuse of power from the government or any of its affiliates. The need for restrictions of the government was also learned from the abuses dealt by British control over Colonial America. With proper representation and laws in hand the Colonies where able to join and defeat the British, thus gaining independence. The very First Amendment provides freedom of religion, speech, and press to allow U.S. citizens to openly criticize any matter, political or not, and not be prosecuted for it.
And America has upheld, throughout history, that the freedom and equality of religion is extremely important in order for this nation to function as a free nation. The foundations of America were set as a result of England's persecution; more specifically, England's religious persecution. The colonists wanted to create a nation that allowed people to be free. They desired to speak what they wanted to speak, do what they wanted to do, and practice what they wanted to practice... without the government watching their every move. Thus came religious freedom.
However, as with most constitutional freedoms, free of expression can be limited under certain circumstances. The First Amendment in the United States Constitution states ?Congress shall make no law?abridging the freedom of speech, or the press?? According to the Framers, the freedom to express individual views is vital to a free government and from their personal experience the freedom to write and publish also needs to be sheltered from government intervention. Every state constitution contains securities of free expression similar to the U.S. Constitution. An extra safeguard for the individual's right to free expression is stated in Section 1 of the 14th Amendment: ?No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States, nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.?
So that mostly means that Congress cannot make any law stating to what you can say, your religion, and with the press. The Second Amendment is the right to bear arms. So that means that “a well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”. Which means that people can bear arms to protect themselves. The third amendment is protection from quartering of troops.
The first amendment is the cornerstone of our American society founded years ago by our forefathers. Without the first amendment many ideas, beliefs, and groups could not exist today. The first amendment guaranteed the people of the United States the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom of petition. Although the first amendment guarantees us, Americans the freedom of speech, we cannot use it to cause others harm. This amendment has helped shaped Americans into what we are today, because of our right to assemble, speak freely, and worship as we please.
When thinking of The United States only two thoughts come to mind; freedom and citizenship. The right to vote, the right to freedom of speech, and the right to a fair, speedy trial are all rights the citizens of America possess. All the same people have responsibilities. People residing in the United States are expected to know their responsibilities such as Supporting and defending the Constitution, or Respecting the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others. In 1791, the Constitution of the United States was amended and the people were given the ten amendments, which is also known as the Bill of Rights, to protect freedom.
The right of “freedom of speech” allows individuals to express themselves without any interference or any constraints from the government; thus, this gives the people the right to express their opinions without feeling any kind of fear from the government. In addition, the Supreme Court requires the government to provide substantial justification if there would be any kind of interference, with the right of free speech where it attempts to regulate the content of the speech. Thus, it is clear enough that the freedom of speech is protected under the US First Amendment; however, some of the courts can still find it hard to differentiate between what should go under that law and what should be considered as “crossing the line” of that law. Therefore, the Supreme Court has also recognized that the government may prohibit a particular speech that may; for example, cause a breach of peace or might cause violence. Furthermore, The First Amendment jurisprudence has never provided absolute protection to all forms of speech.
Likewise, the Amendment also guarantees that citizens will enjoy freedom of religion – the ability of each individual citizen to choose a religion based solely on their own beliefs. All American citizens – regardless of the supremacy being worshipped – are granted the right to practice their chosen religion. That is, Americans have a right to believe in and worship a god or idol of their choice. Although many Americans choose a conventionally organized denomination, there are those who choose more non-traditional spirituality, such as Scientology, Wicca or even Satanism. Despite the aversion that most people have to these non-conforming religious groups, they are granted equal freedom under the First Amendment.
The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects the right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression from government interference. Freedom of expression is made up of the explicit rights of freedom of speech, press, assembly and to petition the government for a redress of grievances, and the implied right of association and belief contained in the First Amendment. The Supreme Court interprets the extent of the protection afforded to these rights. The First Amendment has been interpreted by the Court as applying to the entire federal government although it is only expressly applicable to Congress. Furthermore, the Court has interpreted the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment as protecting the rights in the First Amendment from interference by state governments.
The Constitution is composed of 3 major parts. The first of which is the preamble. As the opening statement of the Constitution it outlines the goals the American people have for the country. In the preamble the people are assured the laws of the land would apply to all and be fair to all by this line “establish justice” (Doc 1). Peace and order in the nation along with the providing of defence for the people of America are also promised by the line “insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense.” (Doc 1).