Sunday, May 02, 2010 "We the People" Part IV

Sunday, May 02, 2010

"We the People" Part IV

“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.”
　
“. . . or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press;”

{Abridging ABRIDG'ING, ppr. shortening; lessening; depriving; debarring.} - Webster’s 1828. 

Let’s see how difficult this is to understand. Congress shall make no law (shorting; lessening; depriving; debarring) the freedom of speech, or of the press.
Let's just suppose a student in school wants to give credit to God, to Jesus, or just to their faith in general. But then they are told they cannot because of this Amendment to the Constitution, the Courts upholding and supporting such reasoning.

I will ask you to read this again, “. . . or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press;” 

{Abridging ABRIDG'ING, ppr. shortening; lessening; depriving; debarring.} - Webster’s 1828. 

How much studying do you suppose it would take to read this Amendment in the Constitution, then use it to shorten, lessen, deprive, or debar a student from speaking what was on their heart, expressing their faith in public to their peers?

If I were to just read it, I would understand that the Constitution protected my right to speak what I believed and why I believed it without that thought being shortened, lessened, debarred, or being deprived of that expression.

Continuing to read “ . . . or the right of the people peaceable to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” I realize this is much complicated, (a hit of sarcasm) but I believe somewhere buried in this phase the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances can be found. I suppose we could search out a Constitutional Scholar to reveal the deep and mysterious meanings. (another hit of sarcasm)
The wisdom and simplicity of this great document, freedom to a free people, clear and concise to all. An uncomplicated measure of freedom to each and every one. What a wonderful foundation we have inherited!

May God bless each of you,
David