The
amendment reflects the US commitment to provide its people a truly democratic
environment where the Government would not involve itself in the practice of
people's religions and expressions.
It is remarkable that the Constitution of
the US explictly prohibits its Government from creating any law that could
influence the free practices of people. Perhaps the Constitution would have
visioned a situation where the US Government could create a law to deal with a
social issue or problem that could originate from the freedom allowed to
people.
Also that any such law would affect the core of the US democratice
character and its inherent spirit. This is another strong example before the
world why the US prides itself in setting a true example of democracy and
liberalism.
The expression is not on "To do" but "This shall not
be done". Reason why this is exemplary.
It suggests that if the US were to
consider changing this part of Constitution in the context of an environment,
that environment would have to be extraordinarily compelling, the process to
change this would the most difficult.
The underlying principle would be that if
such a need occurs in the future, Congress would have to initiate conscious
debates, deal with several aspects and alternatives, and would perhaps take a
course only when alternatives would perhaps not exist.
I hope the US does not
face such a time and its people recognise the embracing spirit of the nation's
foundations, and people who become Americans respect this. I would think that
this should influence people to be cautious that they do not disrespect this
extraordinary power. An outsider's perspective...
Unfortunately, the US government is ignoring its own Constitution and passing laws that violate it and eliminate the freedoms that are supposed to be guaranteed in the First Amendment. The recent National Defense Authorization Act and so called Patriot Acts are examples. They allow for indefinite detention by the military without trial and eliminate Habeas Corpus. The air, water, and unowned land also belong to the people, yet the government restricts their use constantly and refuses to keep them clean. The government does not legally own anything but acts like it owns the water, the air, the game/wildlife, and anything else that it decides to regulate. The government is also continually attempting to ignore or eliminate them Second Amendment which can be considered one of the rights guaranteed by the First. At this point the Constitution amounts to nothing but a piece of paper as George Bush and Obama have both called it.
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