I need unique's boxing icon....

[byronhaverford]

At physical therapy today, I decided to randomly ask people whether they could recite the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States.  I wasn't expecting anyone to be able to (I couldn't do it word-for-word myself), so we moved on to multiple choice.  For each of the following selections, I asked people whether it was part of the

Comments

[unique_name_123]

There is some quibbling that that ammendment does not contain "separation of church and state" - it contains "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". The separation phrase is from a T Jefferson memo in . . . 1802.

[unique_name_123]

Not that I am claiming this explains the behavior of certain candidates for Senate.

[delabarre]

Our current understanding about separation of church and state is long-settled judicial interpretation of the First (as in, since the 19th century).

[unique_name_123]

Yes, but if one said "the first amendment does not say there is a separation of church and state", one would be technically correct.

[amergina]

I think that Freedom of Speech has become synonymous with the First Amendment because most people/news/media talk about free speech as being a First Amendment right.

Separation of Church and State is talked about in the news (and in general) as being guaranteed by the Constitution, but often not specifically as part of the First Amendment. Probably because it's not a right, it's a prohibition against establishing a State religion, so it doesn't get the handy flag of "Our First Amendment Rights!"

I suspect it's not so much a case of "bad learnings" as it is of forgetfulness and overprinting of free speech as *the* First Amendment right.

It's the same reason everyone knows that the second amendment is about "the right to bear arms" but might not know about the whole "well regulated militia" bit.

[ext_293502]

Sure, or the reason everybody knows about the phrase "well regulated militia" but might not know that the term well-regulated in that context at that time meant "effective" :-)

[rani23]

I knew it was freedom of the press, btw. But then, I've got a pocket constitution guide. ;)

[byronhaverford]

I used to have one of those! But it got lost in the move. Cara suggested that I get some posters for the kids' playroom.

[delabarre]

I always forget about the part about petitioning to redress.

[byronhaverford]

I always interpreted that to be part of peacable assembly. As in, that's the purpose of assembly, to petition for redress.

[alaricmacconnal]

One of the things that gets confused in our country is the difference between "church" and "religion" ... they aren't the same.

[byronhaverford]

I'll bite. Give us a politically-pertinent example!

[alaricmacconnal]

I'll do my best!

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof

From wikipedia: Religion is the belief in and worship of a god or gods, or a set of beliefs concerning the origin and purpose of the universe.

The term "church" typically refers to Christianity, but the way I'm using it is as applying to any organized religion.

The first amendment does not prohibit the establishment of a "church" (which is not a set of beliefs, but rather a structure / organization by which a set of beliefs are expressed).

I could be splitting hairs here but I think the distinction is important.

[byronhaverford]

That was an explanation. I want an example. I want to understand where you're going with this.