1st Amendment

I think the most important Amendment of all time would be the first Amendment. This freedom of religion, speech, assembly, and politics allows our country to be unique and protects our rights as American citizens. There are many current day issues that are driven by the first amendment. My first example I would like to talk about would be the anti-war movement. The first amendment allows we the people to protest and voice our opinions. Cindy Sheehan pleads with Bush for a meeting and accuses him of lying to the American people about Iraq's development of weapons of mass destruction and its connection to al Qaeda. The first amendment protects her rights to protest and voice her opinion and not be punished for speaking her mind.

The second example I would like to discuss would be the religious aspect of the first amendment. In Alabama there was a case that was directly involved with the first amendment. Thompson ruled that Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore's placement of the 2.6-ton granite monument in the state building two years ago violated the U.S. Constitution's principle of separation of religion and government. Chief Justice Roy Moore's legal strategy consisted of two primary arguments. (1) He argues that the First Amendment does not apply to actions of state officials, and (2) he argues that the Ten Commandments monument does not violate the First Amendment. This shows another issue that is directly affected by the first amendment.

Those are only two current issues that are affected by the first amendment. There are many rights and issues that this amendment protects and is vital to our constitution. With the first amendment America has been able to be heard by its people with measures such as freedom of the press. This lets people all over country voice their ideas, political stand, ethical stands, and all forms of expression. Personally I think this amendment has a direct affect on the way our country has formed legally and morally. The freedom of the press has always allowed Americans to become directly involved with their government and influence change all over the board.

The only issue I see with the first amendment is the religious freedom that is incorporated within this Amendment. I am always afraid that legal issues will arise from religions that are radical or support terrorism. Their practices and teaching may actually be protected under our constitution as long as they can base their actions