The Importance Of The First Amendment

In the United States, we are all born with freedom, also known as natural rights. We as American citizens have ten basic rights that the government may not take away from us. These are know as the Bill of Rights. The First Amendment states that “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.” Many would agree that this amendment is the most important in the Bill of Rights because the three things it addresses are things our daily lives revolve around. The line, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” means that the federal government can not legally make someone stop practicing his or her religion. Before England ventured to America and set up colonies, nearly everyone followed a specific religion. The English understood that if they were to openly practice another religion other than the one set by the Church of England, they faced the consequences …show more content…
This line also means that you can not be imprisoned for writing an article that may include a list bad things a government official has done. This principle was established August fourth, 1735 when John Peter Zenger was sent to trial because he published an article in a newspaper showing Governor William Crosby of New York in a bad light. After going through trial he was able to establish freedom of the press. Now anyone can openly send emails to government officials telling the official that they dislike them. Freedom of speech and press will never be held against you as long as you do not make plans for a terrorist attack/direct plans to murder a government