The Amendments
By: Hannah Schaffer
Amendment 1
The first amendment of the United States is a part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment allows freedom of speech, religion, press, and assembly. Explanations of each of these 5 rights are below. All of these are equaled to one very important task, having freedom.
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of speech means that people are able to speak freely, but having responsibilities on things that they speak of. Making sure not saying anything too offensive to anyone. In my own opinion I feel as though freedom of speech is a very good thing. It is allowing citizens of the United States to speak freely, letting themselves be heard. Freedom of speech is also used in many cases right now. One case being that some people believe that "fighting words" are being taken out of proportion and causing multiple injuries.
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of religion is allowing an individual or a community being allowed to freely respect and show their own religion in public; without getting into trouble from other people. In my own opinion freedom of religion is a good thing. It is allowing individuals to be their own person, not having anyone tell them who they can and cannot be. People can be treated fairly and respectfully. In recent court cases/discussions the ACLU defends the rights of all Americans to practice their own religion. They are trying to peacefully create a place in the world where people can be who they would like to be.
Freedom of Press
Freedom of press also means the freedom of media is allowing freedom of communication and expression media and published materials. In my opinion I don't personally think that freedom of press should be allowed. A lot of people get trampled, injured, and hurt from the media. And allowing the media to do whatever they would like is not helping a lot of people. I think that an individual should have privacy, and should be left alone. In cases today people are fighting over whether or not the press/media should be allowed to be doing the things that they are doing. It is something that could really affect everyone.
Freedom of Assembly
Freedom of assembly allows the right to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for redress of grievances; guaranteed by the First Amendment. Freedom of assembly means that you are allowed to call any sort of meeting with other people, whether the meet is about law, protest, and more. People have the right to gather together to stand up. Cases today, people are wondering if they should just be allowing these people to call meetings.
Freedom to Petition
Freedom to Petition means that individuals can make a complaint to government officials without getting any sort of punishment or reprisals. Freedom of Petition (in my own words) is something that is very similar to Freedom of Speech. Both parts of this first amendment are both allowing people to speak freely, let themselves be heard. There is a difference in the two as well. Freedom of Petition is allowing individuals to make complaints, allowing them to create an argument. As to Freedom of Speech, that is allowing people to say whatever they would like, not knowing it might cause something huge! Today cases all around the world are being discussed about the Freedom of Petition. People disagree and do not believe that it's right to speak out and say whatever you feel like saying. Freedom of Petition is closely related to protesting, which is pretty much fighting back. People are trying to stand up for what they believe in.
Amendment 2
This amendment is also a part of the United States Bill of Rights. Amendment 2 is allowing the right to bear arms. The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that the 2nd amendment protects an individual right to possess and carry firearms. The right to bear arms means that people have a right to own arms (guns) for individual use, and right to bear arm in a militia. In my own opinion having people have the right to own guns, or other violent weapons isn't necessarily appropriate. People should have a license or something to signify that they are fully capable of using a gun, when needed in an emergency. Guns/weapons should not be used unless told to by the government. People end up with intense injuries and it can really cause something horrible. People today are still fighting with one another on whether or not another person should or shouldn't own their own weapon. It is something that is very frequently discussed in the United States today.