Freedom Of Speech : Bill Of Rights

The freedom of religion is important to us because it lets us learn our religion freely so we don't have to worry about the country saying. “We are going to only have the religion of the church of England.” or something like that. “ In some instances, they have been seen to erect a spiritual tyranny on the ruins of the Civil authority; in many instances, they have been seen upholding the thrones of political tyranny; in no instance have they been the guardians of the liberties of the people.”(THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE: A CHECK ON RELIGIOUS TYRANNY) This talks about how different religions were getting spiritual tyranny. The people didn't have liberties and were forced to follow one religion or they would’ve been criticised. “For him, America was not a “Christian nation,” but rather should recognize the equality of all believers, whether “Jews, Turks, Pagans [or] Christians.” “Government should protect every man in thinking and speak freely, and see that one does not abuse another.” He proposed an amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution in 1794 because of the “evils . . .

After reading the transcript of the speech, “The Spirit of Liberty”, given by federal judge for more than 50 years, Learned Hand, who served most of the time on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York, my idea of what it means to be an American was slightly shifted. The statement made by Hand which really caught my attention was, “What do we mean when we say that first of all we seek liberty? I often wonder whether we do not rest our hopes too much upon constitutions, upon laws and upon courts. These are false hopes.” I agree with Hand in the sense that the constitution can only serve purpose to our country if we, as Americans, learn to be truly accepting.

Case number 1: Cohen v. California, 403 U.S. 15 (1971), this was a United States Supreme Court case dealing with freedom of speech. The United States Supreme Court overturned a disturbing the peace

Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right. Whether or not on a college campus, people (especially college students) should have the right to speak freely. Everyone does have the right to speak freely, because it is one of the twenty-seven amendments. Colleges all around the United States are now home to many restrictions on free speech. For example, the idea and use of “free speech zones” has made its way to colleges everywhere. A “free speech zone” is a sidewalk sized place where students are allowed to speak their minds freely on college campuses. I know what you’re thinking. This sounds ridiculous. Why are there specific places for people to speak their minds? Aren’t colleges suppose to be a place where students speak their minds and learn new things? Universities should not be able to put any restrictions on free speech.

The First Amendments Establishment clause prohibits the government from making any law “respecting an establishment of religion.” One argument regarding to The Establishment Clause is how to manipulate the government’s actions that relate to religion. (law.cornell.edu) The First Amendment also has a Free Exercise Clause. This clause protects citizen’s right to practice religion to their will. Their right is protected as long as their practice does not disturb “public morals.” (uscourts.gov)

This allows anybody to practice their own religion, without repercussions. The Amendment allows prohibits the government from creating an official religion of the country. “The establishment clause prohibits the government from passing legislation to establish an official religion or preferring one religion over another,” (First Amendment). The Amendment also forces the separation of the church and the state. This ensures that choices will not be made with religion in mind. The freedom of religion also improves immigration throughout the country. Some countries prohibit certain religions and improved immigration. The First Amendment has allowed people to follow their beliefs and has improved people’s lives throughout the United

The First Amendment ensures citizens a measure of freedom of expression, especially in the area of religion. The Establishment Clause, prohibits the government from creating a national religion.

In the Tinker V. Des Moines Independent community school district case students were involved in a silent protest against the Vietnam war. The school tried to prevent the students from protesting by telling them that if they wore their black armbands they would be suspended until they agreed to take them off. The U.S. District Court sided with the school saying that the bands could disrupt the children from their work. The students appealed the case to the Court of Appeals but lost. They then took their case to the Supreme Court (Tinker V. Des Moines Independent School District).

The United States of America prides itself in being a free country, but was it always as free as it is now? No. The lives of Mary Dyer and those executed in the Salem witch trials would be different if the establishment clause was enforced by the Puritan society because the church and state would be separate, allowing Mary Dyer and the people of Salem to practice religion freely. The establishment clause is part of the first amendment, which includes freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of press, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of petitioning the government. The establishment clause is included in freedom of religion.

The right to freedom of speech as one of the fundamental human rights is enshrined in The Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is consisted of the freedom to speak, think and express oneself without censorship. Freedom of speech constitutes the essential foundations of a democratic society and the basic conditions for its progress and for the development. One of most important functions of the right to freedom of speech is that decision-making at all levels is preceded by discussion and consideration of a representative range of views. It enables the public to participate in making decisions based on the free flow of information and ideas. A decision made after adequate consultation is likely to be a better one which less imperfectly reflects

According to the Bill Of Rights Institute this case “affirmed the First Amendment rights of students in school”. The Bill of Rights Institute also states that “The Court held that a school district violated students’ free speech rights when it singled out a form of symbolic speech – black were armbands worn in protest of the Vietnam War – for prohibition, without proving the armbands would cause substantial disruption in class.” This case is important to freedom because after learning that the court ruled in the Tinker’s favor, I know that the Supreme Court if needed will protect my freedom even if it is something as small as what I can wear to school. Furthermore, the Supreme Court and other various courts will protect my rights as an American Citizen because I live here and the America truly is the land of the free. By learning about this case, I know that America will always protect my rights and if somebody violates it, I will not have to be violated of my rights anymore, I know that I can go to a court and plead my

Zelman v. Simmons-Harris- gave an argument to allow some of the school vouchers which were violation of the First Amendments Establishment Clause. The Supreme Court in the end ruled it to be not true.

According to the Bill of Rights, we are afforded the freedom of speech through the first amendment. But this awarding of freedom is only allowed if it goes along with what the general population deems “normal”. During the middle part of the 1900’s many books were banned on political, religious, and moral views. While our society has changed these issues are still prevalent in today’s public views and opinions of author’s work. These books are not “normal” and that is why they play an unprecedented part in literature today. Books written in this era had a different political, religious, and moral atmosphere than those written in the modern day; but these same issues arise in today’s society.

George Washington once said "If freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." This mentality still holds true in the United States today where the freedom of speech is held as one of the greatest rights Americans possess. However, to fully understand the first Amendment right of freedom of speech it is paramount to understand what it entails, its limitations, and how it has evolved over time.

There is a famous written saying that adheres to the attitude of every important figure throughout world history, “I disapprove of what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” This statement allows all individuals to say and be who they wish to be in our society today (Hall, 1906, p. 199).