FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS
Before we look at the First Amendment, we need to define inalienable. The Signer of the Constitution John Dickinson defined an inalienable right as a right “which God gave to you and no inferior power as a right to take away.” Merriam-Webster dictionary says that inalienable means something that cannot be taken away, denied, or transferred to someone else.
Human governments could not give the rights essential to happiness. We claim them from a higher source – from the King of kings and Lord of all the Earth. They are not annexed to us by parchments and seals. They are created in us by the decrees of Providence, which establish the laws of our nature. They are born with us; exist with us; and cannot be taken from us by any human power; without taking our lives.” John Dickinson, Constitution Signer
The five fundamental freedoms in the First Amendment are religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. The amendment states that “The Congress may not make any law that sets up any religion, or interferes with any religious practice. Congress may not make any law that diminishes the freedom of speech, or the freedom of the press, or the right of the people to assemble peacefully, or the right of the people to petition the government to make things right if it has caused them harm.”
Religion – First of all, nowhere in the Constitution does it say “separation of church and state.” This statement was
written by Thomas Jefferson who wanted a “wall of separation” to protect our freedom to practice our religion without interference of the government. Federal government has been inconsistent with this freedom and the rise of socialism and fear of Christian nationalism will threaten our ability to stand for Christian truths.
The problem early on, was that the Jehovah's Witnesses did not believe in blood transfusions. Adults are generally allowed to refuse blood transfusions, but if a child is involved the Courts and child protective services will generally override parental refusal of a blood transfusion if the procedure is deemed medically necessary to save a child's life.
A cake baker in Colorado was sued by two homosexuals who wanted a wedding cake with two men on it. The baker refused based on his Christian beliefs. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court where they fortunately upheld his religious rights, but unfortunately the baker was sued again for not making a cake for a sexual transition party. More harassment for
the baker and money spent as this case went to the Supreme Court as well. The court dismissed on a technicality but nothing is being done to stop this harassment. Even some churches during COVID were forced to close as they were seen as non-essential.
The recent Democratic Platform makes it illegal to ban pornographic books from public schools once the officials deem them appropriate. Many Christian parents do not want their children exposed to homosexuality, transsexualism and gender denial but if they go to Christian schools they are punished by having to pay taxes for public school and tuition for a private school. The Democratic Party has denied and fought against allowing education funds from following the students.
Speech – The government under Biden punished people for speaking up against COVID vaxes. By the government's request, people were banned from Facebook and other social media. Military that objected were lowered in rank, forcing some to leave the service. Doctors lost their jobs for speaking up, people were denied transplants. People who did not believe in vaxes were ostracized and military personnel who refused the COVID-19 vaccine initially faced involuntary discharge, often losing benefits and back pay. However, following executive orders in 2025 and 2026, the Department of War is actively reinstating separated troops with full back pay and benefits, while proactively upgrading their discharge statuses. This is all nice, but let’s remember that their First Amendment rights were denied.
Press - Since 1985, the percentage of Americans who perceive a liberal bias has doubled from 22 percent to 45 percent, nearly half the adult population. Even a plurality of Democrats now say the press is liberal. Most journalists offer reflexively liberal answers to practically every question a pollster can imagine. Surveys from 1978 to 2004 show that journalists are far more likely to say they are liberal than conservative, and are far more liberal than the public at large. With Democrats in control of the media, negative reporting towards Pres. Trump, conservative, Republicans and Christians have increased. Stories are twisted to meet their agendas, lies and exaggerated reports are never rescinded and/or corrected leading to misinformation and increasing hostilities towards perceived enemies of the Democratic Party and so called enemies of this country. Nothing is being done to correct this misleading media attack of the opposition to the Democratic Party causing division and hatred in between citizens.
Assembly – The far left seems to be protected by Democratic leadership in our major cities. The major demonstrations are against Pres. Trump and his presidential executive orders such as ICE, border control, and support of Israel. Demonstrators are allowed to burn and deface property without any punishment, but when people attend school meetings to protest pornographic literature in schools they are arrested. A Pro-life activist and social media influencer Savannah Craven Antao was sucker-punched in the face by a passerby while conducting a filmed street interview about abortion and Planned Parenthood in Harlem, New York City. The attack required hospital treatment for stitches and generated significant national media attention. Her attacker was arrested and charged with 2nd degree assault but charges were later dropped. Craven Antao has spoken publicly about the incident, expressing frustration over the
justice system's failure to prosecute the case and highlighting what she perceives as politically motivated violence in public discourse.
Petition - The freedom of petition is the right to ask the government at any level—federal, state, or local—to correct a wrong, change a policy, or address a grievance without fear of punishment or retaliation. Exercise these rights by writing letters, sending emails, or calling elected officials to express support or opposition to policies. Speak at public hearings or in front of school boards, city councils, or legislative committees. File lawsuits in court against government entities that violate the law or constitutional rights. Gather signatures to place initiatives, referendums, or recall elections on local or state ballots.
We are guaranteed these rights! While the government must allow citizens to submit their grievances, officials are not legally required to grant the request, debate it, or vote on it. That’s why we must hold our elected congressmen/women accountable. When political parties ignore these rights, just as King George III did in 1776, it is our right, our responsibility to take a stand.
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For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:1
American Standard Version