The First Amendment?

Question

Can you explain to me in detail the 5 components of the 1st amendment. I know what they are, but what do they really mean.

free exercise of religion

freedom of speech

freedom of the press

assemble peaceably

right to petition

Answer 1

In context the constitution says that CONGRESS shall pass no laws barring...... This means that the federal govt cannot pass laws infringing on the rights of people to worship whoever/whatever they want to or to restrict speech (which it seems that the hate crimne legislation is in violation of).  It cannot pass laws restricting the press in anyway (which is a shame since paparzzi's really need to have a leash out on them).   It also cannot bar groups from peacefully congregating in public places (thus the KKK and other hate groups are able to assemble) and gives anyone the right to petition congress for action.   That said.... it DOES NOT prevent local goverments from passing laws that restrict any of these rights.... but local laws that have tried have been overturned because the supreme court rules that the constitution overrides them.  (the recent DC gun ban overturn is similar to this)

Answer 2

The list is pretty clear to me.

First understand that these rights protect you from the GOVERNMENT.  

You can SAY and PROTEST (peacefully) all you want without fear of being thrown into jail... that does not mean you won't get fired if your boss disagrees with your position.

You have the RIGHT to say "anything"... but call the boss a "lardass" or tell him his wife is a fat cow... watch how fast you get fired.

Answer 3

1.  You can practice any religion you wish and worship how you feel without the interference of the government telling you what religion to practice or how to practice it.

2.  You can say anything you like without reprisal from the government (but remember there are consequences for saying whatever you wish, for others also have the same right).

3.  The press is allowed to print whatever it wishes as long as they can prove the story is true without reprisal from the government.  

4.  You have the right to gather and protest/support any cause you wish as long as it is done peacefully (no violent reactions towards opposition/police).

5.  You can pass around a petition and gather support for whatever you wish, and then go before the proper committee/organization/government office and ask that due to the support of fellow citizens/voters, the petition subject should be implemented.

Hope this helps!!

Answer 4

They're just what they sound like:

Free exercise of religion means that the government cannot tell you which religion to choose, like the British government used to do with Puritanism.  It means there is no "American" religion that Americans are supposed to follow.

Freedom of speech means you can say whatever you want (within reason) without fear of being put in jail because you called the President stupid.  There used to be a time when you could be killed for insulting the king.

Freedom of the press is like speech, only on paper. It means that the press is allowed to print whatever they want (as long as it's true).  

Peaceable assembly means you can gather and protest somewhere.

Right to petition means if you want something changed, you can get a few thousand people to sign their name to it, and then we as a public will vote on it.  Hope that helps!