First Amendment Freedoms

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First Amendment Freedoms
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A. Unalienable Rights

• The Declaration of Independence speaks of
  unalienable rights endowed by their Creator
  such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of
  happiness.
• This means that we are born with rights that no
  one can take away from us.

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C. The Bill of Rights

• The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
• Guarantees protection against arbitrary actions
  of the national government.

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F. Freedom of Religion

• The first amendment guaranteed freedom of
  religion through the Establishment Clause and
  the Free Exercise Clause.

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G. Establishment Clause

• Thomas Jefferson said that the Constitutions
  Establishment Clause set up a separation
  between church and state.
• The government cannot favor one religion over
  another.
• The wall separating church and state is
  constantly being built and varies in height from
  time to time.

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Establishment Clause Court Rulings
(Constitutional ?)

• A. Tax-supported busing of students to nonpublic
  schools (yes)
• B. Programs to let public school students to take
  time off from school to attend religious
  instruction on private property (yes)
• C. Organized prayers in schools (no)
• D. Bible-reading ceremonies in schools (no)
• E. Student-run religious clubs in public schools
  (yes)

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Establishment Clause Court Rulings
(Constitutional ?)

• F. State law prohibiting the teaching of
  evolution (no)
• G. Seasonal displays of religious items on public
  property (yes)
• H. Paying chaplains in state legislatures with
  public funds (yes)
• I. Tax exemptions given to churches (yes)

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H. The Free Exercise Clause

• Guarantees to all people the right to whatever
  religious beliefs they choose.
• It does not give people the right to act on any
  belief.
• A person may notbreak laws, be indecent
  publicly, or put others health, welfare, or
  safety in danger in the name of religion

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Examples of Limitations to Free Exercise

• Requirements to vaccinate school children.
• Forbid the use of poisonous snakes in religious
  rites.
• The federal government can draft those who have
  religious objections to military service.

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I. Freedom of Speech and Press

• Congress shall make no lawabridging the freedom
  of speech or of the press

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1st and 14th Amendments and Freedom of Speech

• Key points concerning freedom of speech
• The guarantees are intended to protect the
  expression of unpopular views.
• Some forms of expression are not protected by the
  Constitution.

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Speech and Press that is not Protected

• Libel- the false and malicious use of printed
  words
• Slander- the false and malicious use of spoken
  words
• Obscene words or materials
• False advertising

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Freedom of Expression

• Freedom of expression is legal if it does not
  threaten our national security.
• The government can punish crimes against the
  nation, such as espionage, sabotage, sedition,
  treason.

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National Security Issues

• Espionage-spying for a foreign country
• Sabotage-destroying something to stop or slow
  down a nations war or defense effort
• Sedition-encouraging others, through spoken or
  written words, to resist lawful authority
• Treason-going to war against the nation or
  supporting its enemies

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J. Freedom of Assembly and Petition

• People have the right to get together and share
  their opinions. They can organize themselves to
  try to change public policy. They also have the
  right to tell public officials what they think.

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Demonstrations

• Demonstrations are assemblies.
• Demonstrations on public property cannot be
  stopped because the government or local community
  does not like the message.
• Demonstrations are required to get permits.
• Demonstrators do not have rights to protest on
  private property.