The First Amendment

The First Amendment is a part of the United States Constitution Bill of Rights; it prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, hinders the free exercise of religion, that violates the freedom of speech or the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to assemble peacefully or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances. The First Amendment, along with the rest of the Bill of Rights, was submitted to the states for ratification on September 25, 1789. However, it wasn't officially adopted until December 15, 1791.

Much of the opposition of the Constitution sprung from the fact that it did not contain an adequate guarantee of civil liberties. In order to provide people with such guarantees, the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment were put into place. This assured people that they had "certain inalienable rights" that nobody could take away.

The purpose of the First Amendment is to prohibit the establishment of a national religion by the Congress or the preference of one religion over another, non-religion over religion, etc. It is also in place to ensure freedom of speech and the press. However, both freedom of speech and freedom of press are limited by numerous restrictions. And lastly, the First Amendment ensures the freedom of assembly and petition.

The First Amendment is vital to the current American culture. Without the freedoms that this amendment provides, life as we (Americans) know it, would change drastically. The ways in which people discover information, such as television, newspapers, Internet, etc. would all be changed if the First Amendment did not ensure freedom of press or freedom of speech. Without the First Amendment Americans would also not have the freedom to choose a religion; Americans would also be subject to a president imposing his religious views on the entire country. Also, without the First Amendment, citizens would not have the right to petition.

In conclusion, the First Amendment has an immense effect on America. Without it, life in America would be vastly different. Even everyday life for individuals would radically change. I believe that the First Amendment has had huge implications in America. In my opinion, it is a big reason for our culture transforming into what it has.