Quote:
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"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."
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Let's break down the first amendment kid (Raygun) into elements, shall we?
1. Congress shall make no law - that means no state/federal action imposing an affirmative duty on anyone, or prohibiting something as criminal.
2. respecting the establishment of religion - that means supporting religion
3. or prohibiting the free exercise thereof - prohibiting someone from practicing their religion
4. or abriding the freedom of speech - prohibiting someone from speaking
5. or of the press - prohibiting someone from publishing thier speech.
6. or the right of people to peaceably assemble - hanging w/the homies but not buggin' anyone.
7. and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances - you are allowed to write letters and enact legislation to solve your problems w/the government
Summary: the gov't can't prohibit you or make you practice religion. So go practice, but you can't force anyone else to join you by state action - state action would be schools, teachers, politicians, and the anyone else on income paid through taxes.
Hybrid Mode
