The 1st Amendment guarantees five freedoms that are seen to be the minimum necessary for a democracy. 1. Freedom of speech. 2. Freedom of the press. These are seen as necessary to make our system a free marketplace of ideas. You cant make it illegal to criticize the government or to suggest changes 3. Freedom of Religion - this comes in two parts, (1) that the government cant pick one religion as official and (2) that the govt. cant make any law that interferes with anyones practice of his own religion. 4. Freedom of assembly (i.e. speeches, rallies, even protest demonstrations) 5. Freedom of petition (you may write to your congressman or senator complaining about something and asking for a change.) If you didnt know, now you do.
Posted on: Sun, 08 Jun 2014 18:16:18 +0000