1. Objective: Evaluate the role of the First Amendment

2. 1st Amendment – Civil Liberties
Civil Liberties are the personal rights and freedoms that the federal government cannot be taken away by law, constitution, or judicial interpretation.
These are limitations on the power of government to restrain or dictate how individuals act.

3. First Amendment- The Five Rights of the
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of the Press
Freedom of Assembly
Right to petition the government

4. First Amendment- Drafting
They asked, “Should we establish a religion or not?”
Thomas Jefferson wrote that there should be “a wall of separation between church and state.”

5. The Establishment Clause
A government cannot promote religion
What is the purpose of the Establishment clause?

6. The Establishment Clause
Governments can:
Teach about religions in school
Allow voluntary prayer in many examples
Transport students to a religious school
Read Bible for culture or literacy content

7. The Establishment Clause
Governments cannot:
Set a state religion
Government cannot order a prayer
Teach religious doctrine in the school
Pay seminary teachers
Teach creationism

8. The Supreme Court and the Establishment Clause
The Supreme Court has held fast to the rule of strict separation between church and state when issues of prayer in public school are involved.

9. Establishment Clause - The Free Exercise Clause
Congress shall make no law… prohibiting the free exercise thereof (religion)” is designed to prevent the government from interfering with the practice of religion.
This freedom is not absolute.
Several religious practices have been ruled unconstitutional including:
Snake handling
Use of illegal drugs
polygamy
Nonetheless, the Court has made it clear that the government must remain NEUTRAL toward religion.

10. Establishment Clause – See you at the Pole!
Student participation in before-or after-school events, such as “see you at the pole,” is permissible.
School officials, acting in an official capacity, may neither discourage nor encourage participation in such as event.

11. The First Amendment
Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition
Basic Freedoms-NO FREEDOM IS ABSOLUTE!
I. Religion
A. Separation of church (religion) and state (government)
B. Establishment clause
i. Your government cannot establish a religion
ii. It cannot get rid of a religion
C. Exercise clause
i. Cannot restrict the way you practice your religion
ii. Cannot force you to practice in a certain way

12. Speech – The Freedom of Speech
“Congress shall make no laws abridging the freedom of speech.”

13. Speech – What can the Individual say under Free Speech?
Say any political belief
Protest (without getting out of control)
Say things about someone that are true
Burn the flag
Say racist and hate slogans
Free speech means someone might say something you disagree with

14. Speech – Limits to Free Speech
Threaten to blow up airplanes, schools or the president
Sexual harassment
Create too much social chaos
Extremely crude language in a public form
Disrespectful, vulgar language in schools
Hate crimes

15. Freedom of Press

16. Freedom of Press Can Cannot
Libel– intentionally injuring a person’s reputation by false facts
Disclose defense-security secrets
Detail how to make certain weapons
Print any political position
Make fun of people, especially politicians
Expose wrongs by the government
Say things you might not agree with

18. Freedom of Assembly

19. Freedom of Assembly cans cannot
Protest
Parade (with a permit)
Parade chanting hate slogans
Gang members can congregate in public
Protest by throwing rocks and breaking windows
Hang out on private land against owners will—loitering
Teen curfew

20. Is this Legal?

21. Is this legal?

22. Petitioning the Government

23. Petitioning the Government
You may sue the government for wrongs
You cannot be punished for exposing wrongs by the government
The courts decide the wrongs
Poll Tax

24. Dear Mr. Gonzalez Dear Mr. Gonzalez-
After seeing this PowerPoint I’m left wondering if any rights are absolute? Explain this concept to your students, so they might have a better understanding…
Sincerely,
Kobe Bryant

25. 1. What are civil liberties?
2. List the five Rights of the First Amendment.
3. What does “separation of Church and State” mean?
4. According to the Establishment Clause, what can the government not promote?
5. List one freedom of Speech and one limitation.
6. List one freedom of Press and one limitation.
7. List one freedom of Assembly and one limitation.
8. Explain why we have the freedom to petition (ask) the government.