Melissa Zeigler
POS-301
08/30/2014
Matt Jette

The first amendment to the Constitution has made an impact on every United States citizen in one way or another. While all of the constitution has affected my life in one way or the other the most important part would have to be “free exercise of religion”. This allows us all to worship and praise our God as we choose. We are not demanded to entrust in what a government picked religion tells us we should believe. “Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God.” (Goldford). By allowing for freedom of religion it gives people of the United States the opportunity to decide for themselves what their hearts tell them to believe. While the majority religions are Christian based, there are many different religions and beliefs that are being followed in our country. Our freedoms allow us to make these decisions for ourselves and our family. While it appears that our constitution was written with a Christian world view, the first amendment states that our state or federal government cannot show a preference to one religion or another. We cannot be influenced by government to choose a specific religion. The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments of the Constitution. It was developed to protect individual freedoms. It gives individuals the right to free speech, religion, and assembly. While also protecting against unwarranted search and seizures, arrest without probable cause, self-incrimination, and double jeopardy. The Bill of Rights also gives citizens the right to due process, fair legal proceedings. It gives citizens the right to legal counsel and prompt and reasonable proceedings. Bail cannot be given that is excessive. We are protected against cruel