Amendment I

Throughout history what stands out to you? For me it is the patriotism and love for our country that the Founding Fathers had, which created our Constitution and Bill of Rights. For me, these along with the Declaration of Independence are the most important documents ever written. They define what it means to be an American and give explicit details of our rights thereof. It's so inspiring to me how our Founding Fathers were so dedicated to universal greatness that I wish we still had the same values today. The Bill of Rights is especially important because it sets guidelines for the government, while giving the people unalienable rights. In the Bill of Rights, the first amendment is the most important because it gives us the rights for which America is known. James Madison worked on creating an efficient method of government with the Constitution,
but what it lacked was the protection of individual rights. If there were not set rights for the people, then the government would become too powerful. Thomas Jefferson realized this and demanded that the Constitution needed a Bill of Rights–rights which could never be taken away from the people. The first amendment is the most important amendment which protects freedom of press, freedom of religion, and freedom of the people to assemble and debate amongst themselves. It is the one that
guarantees freedom to think independently and to express one's own opinion. Without the first amendment there would not be the other 9 amendments because individual freedoms must be protected and guaranteed first before other freedoms can be protected and guaranteed. What would happen without these rights? Freedom of speech is a principle that allows the freedom of an individual or a community to communicate their opinions and ideas and also grants you the ability to not speak at all. If this was taken away, people wouldn't be able to have their own beliefs and would just be told what to do and say, and we could have no authority over ourselves. Freedom of the press is being able to communicate and express through media whether it be printed or electronic. Without this we wouldn't be able to post anything on social media, publicly show our beliefs or decisions, and just be confined to ourselves. Freedom to peacefully assemble is the right of people to come together and collectively express shared ideas. Without this we couldn’t protest or publicly announce our beliefs or things we think are wrong that should be shared with other people. The right to petition the government for redress of grievances, is the right to make a complaint to, or seek the assistance of the government, without fear of punishment. Without this right we would not be able to vote for a president, or anyone in high positions. Amendment One guarantees us “freedom of religion” which is our right to believe in God or whatever higher being you connect with. The ability to have hope and faith is the first principle of life. God gives us a purpose, a goal, and a destination. He helps us get over grief by knowing that our
loved ones went someplace better, and gives us happiness to know where we came from. The founding of America was based on religious freedom as the Puritans and Pilgrims came to America to be able to worship God. And our leaders have continued to firmly believe that this nation was a nation under God, as President Eisenhower in 1954, added God to the Pledge of Allegiance: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” This Pledge states that America is a republic and governed by God, further protecting and guaranteeing our rights to religious freedom. The Founding Fathers meticulously created our Constitution and Bill of Rights, through their faith in God and love for our country. Their purpose was to create a balanced government through laws and rights that would not fade throughout time. Looking at the first amendment we can see our
rights as American citizens, and the freedom it has given us all through the years.