...“The First Amendment freedom of religion is as important today as when the Bill of Rights was written” (First Amendment Quotes). The first amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America is one that most Americans know the meaning of. The actual wording of this important amendment is, “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” (Bill of Rights). This amendment states that a national religion will not be founded and it also gives Americans the ability to practice religion as they would like, without any...
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...the most important document of the United States. It was quite simple; there wasn’t a bill of rights drafted in the original copy. Without a bill of rights, the people would never be aware of their unalienable rights and the power and roles of their government. Patrick Henry said, “The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them,” at the Convention of Virginia in June 1788. He was trying to convey a message that showed the importance of citizens having their rights listed, so the government would never be able...
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...Rights and Freedoms When the founding fathers wrote the Constitution they realized they did not outline the rights of the people. The added the Bill of Rights to ensure that the people knew their rights and so future politicians could not infringe on those rights. The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments ensuring Americans freedom of speech, freedom to protest, freedom to bear arms, and many others. The first amendment is the most popular and one of the most important of the amendments. The first amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Personally the most important part of the first amendment is the freedom of speech. Being able to speak your mind without fear of being prosecuted for it is a true freedom. I have family that came from Cuba; a country where speaking your mind can lead to jail time or death. I know that this is a freedom we take for granted in the United States. The first ten amendments are significant because they are the first but there have been many more amendments that have changed America for the better and some for the worst. The most blood was spilt before the thirteenth amendment was passed and ending slavery for good in the United States. However this did not end discrimination so the government...
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...The freedom of speech which we enjoy is contained within the rights protected under the First Amendment, a part of the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution as the first ten amendments in order to gain acceptance and ultimately the adoption of the Constitution. Many have questioned the intent of our founding fathers with regard to speech and the freedoms associated with it. Throughout history, there have been many interpretations of the First Amendment, and just as many questions pertaining to which types of speech are protected. When this country was founded, many of the principles that were important to our founding fathers were important because of their experiences with the British rule. They wanted to ensure the new country and system of government they formulated would protect specific rights of its citizens. The purpose of the First Amendment was to guarantee freedom from governmental control. The founders of our government had enough foresight to see that no other right would be secure without the rights guaranteed within the First Amendment (Kanovitz, 2010), thus it has been stated that this is the most important of all the amendments (Monk, 2003). They left the language general allowing for the ability to make changes to the Constitution (Tueber, 1988). There were five rights specifically stated in the language of the First Amendment. These rights were freedom of religion, the press, speech, assembly and the ability...
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...Amendment Essay Twenty-seven amendments have been ratified since the original signing of the Constitution, the first ten of which are known as the Bill of Rights. The Amendments to the United States Constitution have had a major effect on American life. A major feature of the Constitution is the capability of changing the document in order for it to become accustomed to the changing times and conditions. There are a few methods in order to change the Constitution. An amendment proposed by 2/3rds vote in each house of congress could be approved by either one of two ways. It must be either ratified by 3/4ths of the State Legislature or by the Constitutional Conventions in 3/4ths of the states. To approve an amendment proposed at a National Constitutional Convention it must also be ratified by 3/4ths of the State Legislatures or by a Constitutional Convention in 3/4ths of the States. The First Amendment, freedoms, is one of the most known and the most important of all. A historical event that led to this amendment was that the new American settlers brought with them a desire for democracy and openness after the American Revolution. They left behind a history of tyranny and official control of information. Using this experience as their guide, the constitutional fathers wrote into their new Constitution a Bill of Rights, which contained the First Amendment. This Amendment was created so that the people would have the freedom to express themselves without worrying. Disagreement to...
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...college | Bill of Rights | Most Important Amendment | | Keondra Whitaker | 3/5/2013 | [Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document. Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document.] | Keondra Whitaker March 5, 2013 Amendments of the Constitution The Constitution is one of the most important documents that have been written that has shaped the United States. In 1791, these amendments were ratified for the rights of the government, citizens and our nation. “The first ten amendments is none as the Bill of rights and still stand as both the symbol and foundation of American ideals of individual liberty, limited government, and the rule of law,” says Ushistory.com. Many people have different viewpoints on the amendments and weather they are wrong, right, important, pointless, and for some it just doesn’t matter. To me, all the amendments are important but the very first amendment stands out to me. The first amendment states, “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.” This was a great way to start of the Bill of rights. So let’s break it down to show why it’s an important amendment. Way before the...
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...Bill of Rights is most important to you and why? The Bill of Rights was written for the American people for two reasons. The first was to pacify Anti-Federalist’s fears of an overwhelmingly powerful central government provided by the Constitution. The second reason was to protect the freedoms secured by the Americans after their war for independence. Without a Bill of Rights, the people feared that the government would have the power to oppress and to control everything. In my opinion, the First Amendment is the most important. By taking each letter in the word first, I will explain why the First Amendment is important to me. F-freedom; The First Amendment states, 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. This is quite possibly the amendment that makes the United States the democratic and orderly country that it is. The choice of freedom to say and listen to whatever one wants is the ultimate independence. I-immeasurable; the importance of the First Amendment can't be measured. The freedoms and liberties it gives me are too great to mark with a value. This part of the Bill of Rights allows me to have a voice in the country I live in. R-requisite; The First Amendment is requisite, or absolutely needed. It sets boundaries that give the people rights in which...
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...Dou 1Laraine(Haoyu) DouMr. KellerGovernment 12.11.2017Final Essay1. Discuss the meaning and importance of three amendments that are guaranteed under the Bill of Rights and how each is applicable to daily life in the United States.The First Amendment is the most important right in the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights. It is the first one for a reason. It’s small in size, but big in meaning. This right gives the American people freedom to say what their minds desire. Without this right, our media would be nonexistent. When the Founding Fathers of the United States wrote the Bill of Rights back in 1787, they didn't make the First Amendment, “The right to bear arms,” because it wasn't as important as free speech. People may say that the Second...
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...The most important amendment of the Bill of Rights is the First Amendment. There are five freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment: the freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition. Another way to express this amendment is that it gives us our most basic freedoms as American citizens. The reason this amendment is important is because it protects an American’s citizen’s basic rights. There have been many challenges to this amendment over the years. Two of the primary challenges to the amendment are Bethel School District v. Fraser and Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District. In the case, Bethel School District v. Fraser, Fraser, a public school student, was suspended for using sexual references in a speech endorsing one of his friends for a student government position. Bethel School District decided to suspend Fraser which led to Fraser suing Bethel School District for violating his freedom of speech....
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...ability to add to the Constitution however they see fit in the form of amendments. All twenty seven of the amendments are extremely important. It would be very difficult to confidently say one is more important than all the others, but for the sake of argument it is the amendment granting women suffrage. The most important amendment to the U.S Constitution is the Nineteenth Amendment, because it finally equalized voting rights, addressed the suffragette movement, and was one of the first victories of western feminism. Up until 1920 nearly half of the the U.S population could not vote. In 1920 the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified, finally giving all women in the United States voting rights. Our country was founded upon the belief that all people were created equally, and that all people had certain unalienable rights. The thought that so many were denied these rights simply because they were women was absolutely absurd. It was not until after the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified that one could say citizens...
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...Bill of Rights After reading the Bill of Rights and researching them, I must add that I have a better understanding of each of them and I believe that they are all important in their own ways. The Amendment that is most important to me would have to be the first Amendment. I believe that it is the foundation of all our rights as Americans. The first Amendment established the four great liberties; freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly. All of these rights together form the essential core of all our rights as citizens. By me working hard to become a teacher, I also believe this amendment is related to my field and is important to me. Even though all of the Amendments are of great importance, the Amendment that is least important to me would be the seventh Amendment. It codifies the right to a jury trial in certain civil cases, and asserts that cases may not be re-examined by another court. If I were suddenly arrested and tried for a crime, the Amendment that might be most important to me would be the sixth Amendment. It is designed to protect individuals accused of crimes. It includes the right to counsel, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to a speedy and public trial. After reading about the sixth Amendment, I definitely understand the need for it. Each Amendment has its own importance but in my opinion the first Amendment is important to each of us on a daily...
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...The desperate voices of many American citizens were now being heard. The First Amendment was being written to grant citizens the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, the freeodm of press, and the right to assembly peacefully. Because of American inception, citizens wanted a guarantee of the basic freedoms. When the United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, it didn’t contain the necissary freedoms now found in the Bill of Rights. So, On December 15, 1791 the voices of many American citizens were being heard. The First Amendment along with 9 others were being ratified (First Amendment Center). As far as American Amendments are salient, the first Amendment is the most important because of the freedom of speech, the freedom...
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...POS – 301 November 2, 2014 Professor Biddle My Rights and Freedoms As a citizen of the United States I do not appreciate the freedom and rights given. I have not thought about how fortunate I am to live in a country that allows freedom of speech, freedom of expression, or my favorite, freedom of religion. Throughout this assignment I will explain which freedom in the first amendment relates to me the most, discuss why the Bill of rights are important, and discuss the process for amending the Constitution. The freedom in the first amendment of the constitution relates to me the most would be Freedom of Religion. Freedom of Religion states that as an American I can practice ANY religion I want or I do not have to practice any religion at all. The reason freedom of religion relates to me most is because I am a strong believer in the idiom “to each his own”. I do not care if my friend is Jewish, Hindu, Christian, the list goes on. I think expressing one’s self is extremely important and religion is one of those ways. To me, what a person’s religion is does not determine if they are a good person or not. There are people that consider themselves “Jewish” or “Christian” but yet they are extremely mean and do not care about others. Freedom of religion allows for every single citizen of the United States to have a sense of freedom. We do not feel obligated to have a certain type of religion, which is better! The reason I say this is because if we are not forced to follow...
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...when we feel it is necessary. What would happen if we never had these rights? The first amendment went into effect in the year of 1791, but up until that people did not have the rights to religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. The first amendment is arguably the most important part of the Bill of Rights due to its meaning, purpose, and lasting impact on the U.S. The first amendment is meaningful and purposeful in many ways. The first amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom...
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...The Bill of Rights is what had made up the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States. The first ten amendments give people the essential freedoms and civil liberties that would keep the United States categorized as a democracy. These ten amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791 and as such were added to the Constitution. One thing most people might not know is that the Bill of Rights had been proposed by George Mason during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The idea had been rejected due to the states already having documents that stated rights to their citizens and felt that a federal bill would be quite unnecessary. Another highly influential reason they did not form a Bill of Rights then was because all the...
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