An Importance of the First Amendment

The First Amendment is an important amendment. The people that oppose the First Amendment may say that the First Amendment doesn't fully serve its purpose. They may say that although the First Amendment exists, people are still banned from social media for saying something critical to the government, or discriminated against for practicing another religion. The people that support the First Amendment say that the First Amendment gives the fundamental rights to humans and it limits Congress from breaking those laws. The First Amendment is the most important because it gives the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of petition.

 

        The first reason the First Amendment is the most important is because it gives the freedom of speech. Embodied in the First Amendment of the Constitution, the freedom of speech gives all Americans the right to say anything without the fear of government. The freedom of speech strengthens all of the other rights and it allows society to grow and progress. Peter Tatchell, a human rights activist, says, A free society depends on the free exchange of ideas. Without the freedom of speech, the nation would not oppose any ideas or propose any ideas. This way, the nation would not excel, instead, it would steadily fall behind. The freedom of speech permits change and development in society and in individuals.

 

        The second reason the First Amendment is the most important is because it grants the freedom of religion. Under this right, one can practice whatever religion he or she chooses. The freedom to practice religion freely establishes a humanitarian society. Some religions teach that humanity and equality will give more wisdom. This provokes individuals to involve with members of other societies, establishing a humanitarian society. Most religions also influence believers to obey the laws. In a democratic nation, the way to function is to initiate rules that everyone must follow, and a believer of a religion that teaches to follow the rules automatically follows the rules and doesn't have to be forced into it. The freedom of religion holds the opportunity of choice, which is a key component of liberty, making it very in important in a diverse society like America (Why Freedom of Religion and Belief Should Matter and How We Can Achieve it Everywhere).

 

        The third reason the First Amendment is the most important is because it gives the freedom of petition. The significance of this freedom is that it grants the right to stand up against injustices that are occurring and it gives power to help change those injustices (The Right to Petition Government). The freedom of petition allows individuals to form a group with others that have the same thought process, in order to right a wrong or to support or convince others to support a right. In a democratic nation, the citizens are the foundation of the government. If the government takes a step that the people do not approve, then the people can reverse that step in order to maintain peace between the government and the citizens. The freedom of petition allows the people to check on the government, and it prevents the case of an overpowering government.

 

        In conclusion, of all the amendments, the First Amendment is the most significant amendment because it embodies the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, and the freedom of petition. The First Amendment defines the fundamental freedoms all humans should have. It also empowers the people to have a voice in the government. The First Amendment sets a foundation upon which all citizens stand in order to establish a democratic nation, a nation where the people are heard. 

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