1. Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition
1st Amendment
Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition

2. Freedom of Religion Establishment Clause – Free Exercise Clause –
Prohibits Congress from establishing an official religion in the U.S.
“Separation of church and state”
Free Exercise Clause –
Guarantees Americans the right to practice religion as they wish
Freedom of religious worship

3. Freedom of Speech
Guarantees Americans the right to say what is on their minds, in public or in private, without fear of punishment
Does not permit speech that harms other people
Slander – intentionally and falsely smearing someone’s reputation in speech
Does not include the right to endanger the government
Treason
Also called “freedom of expression”

4. Freedom of Press Protects our rights to publish information freely
Libel - No one is allowed to publish info that will harm others’ reputation
Can’t endanger the government
Americans have the right to read what other people have published
Ban/ Censorship?

5. Protects the right to assemble peacefully
Freedom of Assembly
Protects the right to assemble peacefully
Protects the right to form and join organizations

6. Guarantees the right to petition the government
Petition – formal request
We have the right to express our ideas to the government.

7. Freedoms do not allow us to do things that break the law!

8. Journal
Give examples from your own lives of how you are able to exercise the five 1st Amendment freedoms.