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.
The United States Constitution is one of the best documents around. The First Amendment allows so much freedom. In only 45 words, the citizens of this country have the ability to attend (or not attend) any house of worship they choose, say anything they want, print any news they see fit, gather in groups as desired, and let the powers-that-be know when they are unhappy without fear. Unfortunately, some forget this amendment applies to everyone and not just a select few.
Some often misinterpret the 1st Amendment's religion clause. It is the freedom OF religion, not the freedom FROM religion. If you elect to not put up a Christmas Tree, more power to you; however, if a group of people want to dress the tree, they are allowed to do so without your interference. There is not required to also be every other winter holiday symbol display at the same time in the same place. If I want to say Merry Christmas, you will hear Merry Christmas. This does not need to be followed up with any comments telling me I'm being offensive to the Jewish community. I won't be offended at hearing Happy Hanukah, Happy Holidays, Merry Winter, whatever, because it's your right to follow any religion or none at all. Please do not suppress my right to religious freedom with your right to no religion.
No, you can't run into a crowded theater and shout FIRE, unless of course the building actually IS on fire. That's not squelching freedom of speech; that's keeping the peace and not starting a riotous mad exit for the door. One should be able to stand up and say he/she does not agree with same-sex marriage without fear of some group filing a law suit or showing up with picket signs in the yard saying that person must be discriminatory because of the comments. Of course, the same amendment that lets people say things like that also allows groups to protest with picket signs in the yard as long as it is peaceful.
We can tell the government when we are unhappy; unfortunately, lately it seems the government just pats us on the head and says "now, now, we know better than you; just let us handle it for you." Polls from Rasmussen have shown the majority of citizens want Obamacare repealed. Has the government listened to the people? Has it been placed on the ballot for a popular vote? No. We have the right to tell the government to change. How do we do this? In the election booth in November.
These rights are not for a select few. One group should not have to cower in the corner because their opinions or houses of worship are different from another group. If we let people take these rights away from us, what have we gained? Nothing! If we stand up for these rights, we regain the power of a country that was once great enough to take on any enemy. I miss that country.
