“Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.” Psalm 144:15
As our new nation was being built and the U.S. Constitution being established, there needed to be some adjustments made.
We call these “amendments.” The first amendment was an important one.
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 amendment first came about on December 15, 1791. This is a very important amendment as it clearly states that we are allowed to exercise our right to worship as we please. It also states we have freedoms in speech, to assemble and the press can have freedom to write what they wish. This became a cornerstone for democracy. It’s protection is vital to maintain a free society.
Our founding fathers were influenced to write this first amendment from documents like the Magna Carta (Britain 1215), the English Bill of Rights (1689) and the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776).
The freedoms that this amendment preserves are:
- Freedom of Religion: Prohibits Congress from establishing a religion and protects the free exercise of religion.
- Freedom of Speech: Ensures individuals can express their opinions without government censorship.
- Freedom of the Press: Protects the right to publish information and opinions without prior restraint.
- Right to Peaceably Assemble: Allows individuals to gather for protests or demonstrations.
- Right to Petition the Government: Grants citizens the ability to make complaints or seek assistance from the government.
This amendment assures that all citizens of the United States of America can freely voice their opinions. We can be grateful that we live in this country where we have the right to our opinions but more importantly we have a right to worship freely.