Front Page
About Us
Donations
Resources
 
Digests
American Fifth Column
Constitutional Literacy
Terrorism
 
Spotlights
Terrorism: Mumbai
 
Pillar Issues/Research
American Fifth Column
Constitutional Literacy
Terrorism
 
Projects
Cracking the Code
Educational CD Series
New Sons of Liberty
Speaker's Bureau
Programs & Events
Outreach Program
Tips on Engaging Elected Officials
Admin Login

GoodSearch logo



Web This Site





Basics Project
PO Box 583
Downers Grove, IL 60515
info@basicsproject.org

(877) 660-2902

 

Constitutional Literacy
The Bill of Rights
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.
History
 
Philosophy
 
Examination

Religious Freedom, and Freedom to Speak, Print, Assemble, and Petition
The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment was not intended as a declaration of governmental hostility toward religion, or even of governmental neutrality in the debate between believers and non-believers. It was simply a device for keeping religious passions out of American politics. The phrase “or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” was meant to keep the Congress from ever meddling in the disputes among religious bodies or interfering with the mode of worship. 

Civil liberty as understood in the Constitution is ordered liberty, not license to indulge every impulse and certainly not license to overthrow the Constitution itself.

The original, and in many ways the most important, purpose of freedom of speech and press is that it affords citizens an opportunity to criticize government—favorably and unfavorably—and to hold public officials accountable for their actions. It thus serves to keep the public informed and encourages the free exchange of ideas.

Self Evaluation
 

Basics Project is a non-profit, non-partisan 501(C)(3) research and educational initiative. Opinions expressed by those not directly affiliated with Basics Project are expressly their own. Responsibility for the accuracy of cited content is expressly that of the contributing author. Basics Project may or may not agree with opinions and/or content presented unless expressly cited. All content offered by the Basics Project is copyrighted. Basics Project’s goal is the liberation of the American voter from partisan politics and special interests in government through the primary-source, fact-based education of the American people.

Basics Project © 2008
PO Box 583, Downers Grove IL 60515-0583
info@basicsproject.org  
(877) 660-2902