Difference between revisions of "First Amendment"
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:[[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. | :[[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. | ||
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This is generally taken as a limitation on the power of the federal goverment with respect to: | This is generally taken as a limitation on the power of the federal goverment with respect to: | ||
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#[[peaceful assembly]] | #[[peaceful assembly]] | ||
#[[political activism]] | #[[political activism]] | ||
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| + | == Conservative Interpretation == | ||
| + | Liberals often focus on the so-called "establishment" clause, in noting that the federal government cannot endorse or establish a church. However, liberals often overlook the clause explicitly allowing for the free exercise of religion. Conservatives argue that this clause can be interpreted to allow much more leeway to the majority of religious Americans than liberals currently allow. | ||
[[Category: Constitution]] | [[Category: Constitution]] | ||
Revision as of 23:55, August 17, 2007
The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America says:
- 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 generally taken as a limitation on the power of the federal goverment with respect to:
Conservative Interpretation
Liberals often focus on the so-called "establishment" clause, in noting that the federal government cannot endorse or establish a church. However, liberals often overlook the clause explicitly allowing for the free exercise of religion. Conservatives argue that this clause can be interpreted to allow much more leeway to the majority of religious Americans than liberals currently allow.