Amendment 1

The First Amendment protects the rights of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the right to petition the Government. These rights are some of the most important rights granted to Americans. Some may argue that the First Amendment is too protective of our rights. I tend to disagree; I think in order for our country to have a written explanation of what is or isn't protected the First Amendment gets the points across precisely.

The First Amendment grants Americans the ability to express "unpopular views" in all forms of communication such as newspapers, television, radio, and even in the classroom. I believe the U.S. is based on all types of religions, beliefs, and values. Since our country is so diverse, it is hard to stop the expression of "unpopular views". I think that even if the Government wanted to control the expression of the "unpopular views", it would be physically impossible to attempt.

Since the Government has such little restrictions placed on these rights; Americans often see all views expressed in all forms of communication. The Government does this in order to keep our country from being strictly influenced by one religion or belief. To some extent, I agree with all of the rights granted by the First Amendment.

People should be able to express their views in newspapers, on television, and even on the radio. All those forms of communication are not forced on you to read, watch, or even listen to. If you do not agree with what view has been stated you can easily turn it off, or flip the page. With expressing opinions in college classrooms; however, you are forced to listen to the view of the teacher. Even if you disagree with what is being said, you have to be respectful and listen to what the teacher is expressing. If any rights should be taken away that the First Amendment protects, it should be the right for a teacher in a classroom to express their own views on political issues. I believe this because since a student is forced into listening to what the teacher has to say, the student may be falsely persuaded into believing something they wouldn't have believed before. It differs from opinions expressed in any other form of communication because they are not forced upon a person, while in a classroom situation opinions are forced upon students.