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Lots of powder burned on this. Still a lot of people don't really understand what the First Amendment is really saying.
When it says:
That says "Congress can't legally pass laws regarding the following..." This means that no matter how they try to pretend that it's not unconstutional, it is prohibited.
Then comes the list of clauses, set of as blocks of related ideas by semicolons:
This means that they can't endorse, fund, mandate or promote *any* religion (no establishment of religion) nor can they prohibit individuals from excercise of their own religion. It does not say that group A can use it's "religion" or religious laws and mores to force or constrain the behavior and beliefs of others. In fact, it implies the very opposite.
Yet it is astounding how many pinheads take "religious liberty" to mean that they can force their neighbors into abiding by the pinheads religion! Examples: school prayer, prayer in little league, "defense of (hetero only) marriage" acts, anti-gay laws, antiabortion laws, and a whole raft of others.
Religious liberty is *not* the liberty to force me (or anyone else) to follow the strictures and practices of any religion. That is up to me, and my conscience - not the state, the law, my neighbors, my landlord, or my boss. Religious liberty is a personal thing, not a group thing where "well, in this town/apartment/company we all believe in Jaysus, so y'all better just take up comin' ta church or ya won't get food/lodging/work/freedom."
On to the next clause (still under the "Congress shall make no law..." clause:
Congress can't make laws against people speaking their mind, or even publishing their opinions and/or facts. Note, this does not say that they can't ban lies or slander.
This does not gaurentee anyone exercising their free speech rights freedom from opposing speech, protection from criticism, or even that the speech must be listened to!! Yeah, you've got the freedom to say what you want, but I also have the freedom to say that your opinion is garbage! (and vice versa)
Finally the last (under "Congress shall make no law... abridging"):
In other words, you can gather with whomever you wish, as long as you don't start a riot (or other disturbance of the peace of your neighbors). Whether it's to drink, talk, or have a religious service,it's nobody's business but yours, and that of your (consenting) guests. This includes also the right to protest, and send delegations of citizens to lobby for your concerns. It does not give you an automatic victory in your lobbying.
When it says:
Congress shall make no law...
That says "Congress can't legally pass laws regarding the following..." This means that no matter how they try to pretend that it's not unconstutional, it is prohibited.
Then comes the list of clauses, set of as blocks of related ideas by semicolons:
...respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; ...
This means that they can't endorse, fund, mandate or promote *any* religion (no establishment of religion) nor can they prohibit individuals from excercise of their own religion. It does not say that group A can use it's "religion" or religious laws and mores to force or constrain the behavior and beliefs of others. In fact, it implies the very opposite.
Yet it is astounding how many pinheads take "religious liberty" to mean that they can force their neighbors into abiding by the pinheads religion! Examples: school prayer, prayer in little league, "defense of (hetero only) marriage" acts, anti-gay laws, antiabortion laws, and a whole raft of others.
Religious liberty is *not* the liberty to force me (or anyone else) to follow the strictures and practices of any religion. That is up to me, and my conscience - not the state, the law, my neighbors, my landlord, or my boss. Religious liberty is a personal thing, not a group thing where "well, in this town/apartment/company we all believe in Jaysus, so y'all better just take up comin' ta church or ya won't get food/lodging/work/freedom."
On to the next clause (still under the "Congress shall make no law..." clause:
(...or) abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;...
Congress can't make laws against people speaking their mind, or even publishing their opinions and/or facts. Note, this does not say that they can't ban lies or slander.
This does not gaurentee anyone exercising their free speech rights freedom from opposing speech, protection from criticism, or even that the speech must be listened to!! Yeah, you've got the freedom to say what you want, but I also have the freedom to say that your opinion is garbage! (and vice versa)
Finally the last (under "Congress shall make no law... abridging"):
(...or) the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
In other words, you can gather with whomever you wish, as long as you don't start a riot (or other disturbance of the peace of your neighbors). Whether it's to drink, talk, or have a religious service,it's nobody's business but yours, and that of your (consenting) guests. This includes also the right to protest, and send delegations of citizens to lobby for your concerns. It does not give you an automatic victory in your lobbying.
