First Amendment Importance
The first settlers in America came to the New World to seek religious liberty. Taking a risk, they began their treacherous journey to an unknown land in order to practice their own beliefs without limitation. Later in the narrative of the making of America, the founding fathers drafted a constitution-- a collection of laws and regulations which set up the government we still know and practice today. Arguably the most important part of the constitution, the first amendment, gives citizens the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. These freedoms have been the backbone of this great country for centuries, has set us apart from other nations, and has shaped the course of American history. However, the first amendment freedom of religion is more difficult to protect in the classroom than the outside world. Two defining pieces of American history are the Supreme Court cases of both West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette of 1943 and Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District of 1967. In the 1943 case, the West Virginia State Board of Education required all students to salute the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. However, many of the students were Jehovah 's Witnesses and argued …show more content…
An individual’s right to act and speak according to their own unique perspectives is invaluable and an existing privilege in any given developed nation. To withhold a citizen’s first amendment rights is to defy our democratic government and defile the very foundation this nation was built upon. It is important to raise and teach children to be open minded and tolerant of other peers, no matter how different they may be. It is vital that students are allowed to carry out their religion as they wish, and even if this means sacrificing class time, their devotion and creed takes priority to missing a few out of 180
Horace Mann's Common School Movement
1291 Words | 6 PagesTraditionally, morality and values in schools have been taught using Christian guidelines, such as the King James Bible for Horace Mann’s common school and the early colonial schools who relied heavily on religious doctrine in their teaching. In 1962, the supreme court cases Engel v. Vitale and Abington School District v. Schempp banned school sponsored prayers and Bible reading. These rulings affirm Jefferson’s philosophy of separation of church and state and a secular public school system, they also challenge traditional aspects of American education. The debate surrounding values education warrants an acknowledgement of religion’s role in public
Abington SD Vs. Schempp Case Study
578 Words | 3 PagesAbington SD vs. Schempp This case concerns Bible reading in the public schools of Pennsylvania. When the students who attended arrived for school, they were required to read at least ten verses from the Bible. After that, they were required to recite the Lord’s Prayer. The only way to avoid these activities was written note from the parents. The United States Supreme Court favored Schempp and declared this Bible reading to be unconstitutional.
Engel V. Vitale Summary
426 Words | 2 PagesThe issue in this case was whether school-sponsored nondenominational prayer in public schools violates the Establishment clause of the first amendment (Facts and Case Summary - Engel v. Vitale, n.d.). This case dealt with a New York state law that had required public schools to open each day with the Pledge of Allegiance and a nondenominational prayer in which the students recognized their dependence upon God (Facts and Case Summary - Engel v. Vitale, n.d.). This law had also allowed students to absent themselves from this activity if they found that it was objectionable. There was a parent that sued the school on behalf of their child. Their argument was that the law violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, as made applicable
Westside Community Schools Case Study
660 Words | 3 Pages“The students alleged that Westside 's refusal violated the Equal Access Act, which requires that schools in receipt of federal funds provide "equal access" to student groups seeking to express "religious, political, philosophical, or other content" messages” (Board of Education of Westside Community Schools v. Mergens by and Through Mergens). Many still argue today that Westside 's prohibition against the Christian club, consistent with the Establishment Clause, makes the Equal Access Act unconstitutional.
Examples Of Ethos Pathos Logos
1281 Words | 6 PagesAccording To the article The Bill of Rights, states "Congress cannot pass laws That Establish a specific religion for Americans, forbid Americans from practicing Their own religions, or interfere With Americans' freedom of speech, press, the right to gather peacefully, or the right to express disagreement With the government ". Delegates from 13 states gathered in Philadelphia to sign an agreement to conduct The Bill of Rights or also known as the 10 Amendments, as these states wanted to make some additions to the constitution to make sure that the government would not to abuse their power against citizens. The convention of many states wanted all people in the United States were free to be what they wanted to be, as long as they do not break the law. Therefore the first amendment was established. In this way people could have an opinion and have the right to express themselves, even if it is talking about the government.
The First Amendment: Is It Important To The Government?
88 Words | 1 PagesThe people are giving up some of their right so the government will protect them. The first amendment is “freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition” The first amendment is similar to the social contract because in a way the government is promising to protect you in exchange for some of your rights.
Assess The Importance Of The First Amendment
429 Words | 2 PagesCongress 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. — The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution According to the statement above and research, the First Amendment was written to protect freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly and petition. Religious minorities can be persecuted, protesters and media can be silenced, the press cannot criticize government, and citizens cannot mobilize for social change without the First Amendment. After explaining importance of First Amendment, I will explain how we can apply it to student newspapers.
When Is The First Amendment Important
172 Words | 1 PagesThe First Amendment was accomplished on the year of 1791 and it’s the one of the important Amendments in the Bill of Rights. It talks about the protection for all people rights, such as the freedom of speech, religion, press and assembly which made our country to be different, unique and to protect our rights as American citizens. The First Amendment also allows the people to protest and to speak their opinion. Understanding the rights that been given by the Congress is the importance by the United States citizens. Each citizen must respect their rights.
First Amendment Essay
1326 Words | 6 PagesThe First Amendment to the United States Constitution, adopted in 1791, was a response to concerns about government power and the need to protect individual liberties. It guarantees the freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition, which are fundamental rights essential to a democratic society. The founding fathers recognized that freedom of expression was critical to protecting individual rights and ensuring that the government remained accountable to the people. Today, The First Amendment is crucial for our current society because of the freedom of speech and individuality it gives its citizens.
Argumentative Essay: The First Amendments
985 Words | 4 PagesThe first amendment may seem like something that is generally understood among all of those who use it, but this may not be the case. While most citizens of the United States of America would certainly say that they understand and can comprehend what the first amendment means, an underlying lack of knowledge, upon what is presumed to be the most important of all the amendments, can still be discovered. “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 to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The specific piece of the first amendment that is particularly important
Persuasive Essay: The First Amendment Rights Of Students
1815 Words | 8 PagesSchools have a responsibility to provide a safe and orderly environment for learning, but they must also respect the rights of students to express themselves and engage in political and social activism. The controversies surrounding students’ First Amendment rights have been apparent in our world for a long time, and the controversies are only growing with the growth of technology. There have been and still are many questions surrounding what the students are allowed to do and not allowed to do under their first amendment rights and that is what we are going to dive deeper into through the perspectives of many cases based on students' first amendment rights. There have been many famous court cases over the years in which students have taken school boards to court after they had felt that the school board or administration violated their first amendment rights at the school that they are attending. When it comes to students' first amendments there are many things that
Censorship Of The First Amendment Essay
865 Words | 4 PagesThe First Amendment was written because American citizens demanded a guarantee of their freedom. This led to James Madison writing the First Amendment. The First Amendment was established when the Founding Fathers wanted to guarantee that the Americans ' basic civil liberties would not be threatened by the government. The First Amendment was confirmed, along with nine other amendments,to the constitution of the United States. The First Amendment states “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.”
School Sponsored Prayer In The 1960's
435 Words | 2 PagesAs we all know today’s school are a lot different than those in the 1960’s. During the 1960’s is was tradition to open each and every day with a nondenominational prayer, along with the Pledge of Allegiance. Today, prayer is accepted in schools as long as it is led by the student themselves, and not the teacher. In 1962 the case of Engel vs. Vitale went to the Supreme Court based off the idea of whether school sponsored prayer violates the First Amendment Establishment Clause. At this time there was a general law in New York State that required every school within the state to open each day with the Pledge of Allegiance, and a prayer that did not restrict denomination.
First Amendment Persuasive Speech
956 Words | 4 PagesHow would you feel if you were aware that your constitutional right of the First Amendment was being violated? Today in public schools all around the nation, the right to pray has been taken. As shocking as this information may seem, it is completely legitimate. This controversial decision, made by the Supreme Court on June 25, 1962, has disappointed many Americans over the past few decades. However, allowing voluntary, student-led prayer to be brought back into the school systems can not only benefit students, but also benefit our country by teaching this nation 's youth the necessary religious morals they need to be able to efficiently establish right from wrong, and allowing them to practice their constitutional right of the First Amendment.
Persuasive Essay On The First Amendment
1061 Words | 5 PagesWhat is The First Amendment? A great bringer of conflict in the United States, it states some of the most fundamental rights in America, including the freedom of expression and the freedom of religion. The interpretation of these rights has been under a lot of debate, and many cases have arisen in the history of this country over what constitutes as free expression, especially religious expression. From the religious persecution of the early US to the court cases of today, religious freedom has been an evolving controversial issue that leaves uncertainty about the future.
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