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The First Amendment Of The United States

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First Amendment: Where It Originated and How to Protect It On September 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was signed by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, who were directed by George Washington. The 1787 convention was called to draft a new legal system for the United States now that the states were free and colonized. This new Constitution was made to increase federal authority while still protecting the rights of citizens. It established America’s National Government. In 1971, the Bill of Rights were added to Constitution containing the 10 amendments guaranteeing protection for citizens. The first commandment consisting of freedom of speech and religion. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reads: “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.” Prior to the Revolution, all citizens were to attend service at the Anglican Church. If the people failed to attend, they would endure civil and criminal penalties, including death. The church was supported by taxation. Jefferson was the first of the founding fathers to support a wall to separate church and state. In the current decade many different religions have developed and with the growing science findings regarding evolution, atheism has become more prominent.

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