1 The Five Freedoms of the First Amendment

2 Forty-Five Important Words 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.

3 What five basic freedoms does the 1 st Amendment protect?

4 The Establishment Clause - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof

5 Freedom of Religion Congress cannot establish an official religion in the United States Congress cannot establish an official religion in the United States

6 What else does it protect concerning religion? Guarantees Americans the right to practice their faith as they wish Guarantees Americans the right to practice their faith as they wish They may not favor one religion over another or treat people differently because of their personal beliefs They may not favor one religion over another or treat people differently because of their personal beliefs

7 Students & Religion As students, it’s important to know your religious rights in school You are free to pray alone or in groups, as long as the activity is not disruptive and does not infringe upon the rights of others As long as it is not disruptive, disrespectful of the rights of other students, and does not pressure or coerce others, you can exercise your faith Schools cannot organize religious activities. This includes making students pray.

8 REMEMBER: The government cannot force you to believe in any religion. Everybody has the right to practice the faith they believe in, when and where they want to. Thanks for the First Amendment, we are all guaranteed the freedom of religion. The government cannot force you to believe in any religion. Everybody has the right to practice the faith they believe in, when and where they want to. Thanks for the First Amendment, we are all guaranteed the freedom of religion. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!!!!! KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!!!!!

9 Freedom of Speech Free speech is the liberty to speak and express one’s opinions. It is the right to express ideas, information, opinions, etc. with very limited government restrictions. Free speech is the liberty to speak and express one’s opinions. It is the right to express ideas, information, opinions, etc. with very limited government restrictions.

10 What types of communication are protected under freedom of speech? Face to face Face to face Internet communication Internet communication Art Art Music Music Clothing Clothing

11 Practicing Free Speech Free speech includes the right to criticize public officials, politicians, religious leaders, and public and corporate policies. Without this right a democratic nation could not survive. Free speech includes the right to criticize public officials, politicians, religious leaders, and public and corporate policies. Without this right a democratic nation could not survive.

12 "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". Commonly attributed to Voltaire Commonly attributed to VoltaireVoltaire

13 Limits to Freedom of Speech. Do not have the freedom to provoke a riot Do not have the freedom to provoke a riot Cannot speak or write in a way that leads immediately to criminal activities or efforts to overthrow the government by force Cannot speak or write in a way that leads immediately to criminal activities or efforts to overthrow the government by force May not spread lies that harm a person’s reputation May not spread lies that harm a person’s reputation May not interfere with the rights of others May not interfere with the rights of others

14 The right to publish newspapers, magazines, and other printed matter without government restrictions. The right to publish newspapers, magazines, and other printed matter without government restrictions. Freedom of the Press

15 Freedom of the Press What does press and media include? What does press and media include? Books Books Newspapers Newspapers Magazines Magazines Radio Radio Television Television Internet Internet

16 How does freedom of press limit the government? The government cannot practice censorship. The government cannot practice censorship. It cannot ban printed materials or films merely because they contain alarming or offensive ideas It cannot ban printed materials or films merely because they contain alarming or offensive ideas

17 The press is often called “the fourth branch of government.” It helps to keep the other three branches in check. The press is often called “the fourth branch of government.” It helps to keep the other three branches in check.

18 Freedom of Assembly Protects our right to gather in groups for any reason, so long as the assemblies are peaceful. Protects our right to gather in groups for any reason, so long as the assemblies are peaceful. They can make rules about when and where, but cannot ban them. They can make rules about when and where, but cannot ban them. We also have the right to form and join social clubs, political parties, and labor unions. We also have the right to form and join social clubs, political parties, and labor unions.

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20 Life without Freedom of Assembly People would not be allowed to peacefully gather in large groups without permission People would not be allowed to peacefully gather in large groups without permission It would be harder to protest opinions and use the other freedoms guaranteed in the first amendment It would be harder to protest opinions and use the other freedoms guaranteed in the first amendment

21 Freedom of Petition Freedom of Petition The right to express one’s ideas and opinion to the government. The right to express one’s ideas and opinion to the government. Petition = formal document Petition = formal document

22 Life Without Freedom of Petition People could be penalized for political views and beliefs. People could be penalized for political views and beliefs. People would be unable to communicate with their senators and congressmen People would be unable to communicate with their senators and congressmen

23 Although we have many individual freedoms, whose rights come first? The rights of the community The rights of the community Otherwise, the society would break apart Otherwise, the society would break apart

24 List the five basic freedoms in the 1st Amendment then: Write a short paragraph about a memorable moment where you expressed one of these rights, or one of these rights was denied to you.