Our Constitution, Part VII - The 1st Amendment

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression Ratified 12/15/1791.

"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."

This is much simpler than progressives would have us believe, what with their phony arguments based on a fictitious "separation of church and state" which is nowhere to be found in the Constitution Bear in mind - the founders did not go to the local tavern and throw the Constitution together over a few quaffs of ale. No, they spent many months in deep discussion, to insure that the finished product would say exactly what they intended for it to say. In other words, they wrote it so any child could understand, and therefore no interpretation necessary, because they wanted to make sure every American could understand it. Any judge who places themselves in a position of interpreting any portion of the Constitution other than as it is written is acting beyond their Constitutional authority.

The 1st Amendment is exceedingly clear, and needs no interpretation. When it comes to religion, speech or the press, the government, quite simply, must butt out. They may not pass any laws that restrict our freedom in these areas. But when Congress - or activist judges - decide to pass laws that prevent any person from exercising their religious beliefs at any time or any place, in any manner, then the Congress and courts have over-stepped their jurisdiction. Which is precisely what they have done when it comes to kicking any religious debate or activity out of the public square, including schools. By removing God or religion from the public venue, they are, indeed, "prohibiting the free exercise thereof".

Nowhere in this Amendment - or anywhere in the Constitution - is anyone guaranteed any freedom FROM religion, or guaranteed any right to not be offended. Everything on Earth offends someone, somewhere. It is not the task of the government to protect a person's sensitivities.

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