PART 5
Unalienable Rights
FREEDOM

Bill of Rights

First 10 Amendments to the Constitution

Civil Liberates:



Protection against government
Guarantees the safety of persons, opinions and property
from arbitrary acts of government
Civil rights:

positive acts of government

Makes constitutional guarantees a reality for all people
RIGHTS ARE RELATIVE, NOT
ABSOLUTE

NO ONE has the right to do anything he or she
pleases


All persons have the right to do as they please as long
as they do not infringe on the rights of others
Example

Free speech is your right
BUT IT IS NOT ABSOLUTE
 A person can be punished for:
 Using obscene language
 Using words in a way that causes another person to
commit a crime

1ST AMENDMENT
FREEDOMS
FREEDOM OF RELIGION

Freedom of expression

Establishment Clause


Free Exercise Clause


Prohibits an “establishment of religion”
Prohibits any arbitrary interference by government in the
exercise of religion
Separation of Church and State
Constitutional Separated but are not strangers or
enemies
 The question of Religion and Schools


VERY GREY AREA
FREEDOM OF SPEECH

ALL persons have the rights of free expression

ALL communication
ALL persons have the right to full, wide ranging
discussion of public affairs
 Some forms of expression are not protected


Libel:


false and malicious use of printed words
Slander:

false and malicious use of spoken words
False advertising
 Previously mentioned

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
Why is free media so important in a FREE
society???
 The ever present question of how much can the
government regulate the media
 The issue of naming sources


Shield Laws
FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY

To gather with one another
Express their views
 Organize to influence public policy


Many ways of doing this
Lobbying
 Parades/marches
 Organizing
 Meeting


Government can make rules about how these
take place

When and where
FREEDOM OF PETITION

Right for people to bring their views to the
attention of officials

Written form
Letters
 Advertisement
 Petitions


Both Petition and Assembly also deal with
freedom of association

You cannot be punished due to your association
with a group

Grey area