The First Amendment: 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. This amendment is arguably the most important one in the Constitution, as it encompasses six essential rights. It covers everything from religious matters to what we can say to how we can pursue grievances against the government. The “establishment clause” means that the government cannot make one religion the mandatory religion of the country. This concept was based on the historical abuses of one religion or sect being favored by the ruling class. If you were not part of this preferred group, you were discriminated against. Prior to the Revolution, some states such as Massachusetts and Rhode Island, which had been founded on religious ideals, had established churches. In those states, citizens were required to attend the favored church, and its doctrine and view of the world was taught in their schools. After the Revolution, the practice of established churches quickly ended. All states moved to create a barrier of sorts […]
