The First Amendment is the first addition to the constitution, and the beginning of the ten amendments that constitute the American Bill of Rights. James Madison, who became the fourth President of the US, unquestionably wrote the Bill of Rights, but he certainly had help and inspiration in creating the First Amendment and the other nine. Thomas Jefferson was Madison’s mentor, and actually convinced Madison to change his mind and add these amendments to the constitution. They are based on the work of many of the thinkers of the Enlightenment Period, such as John Locke.

There are actually several rights guaranteed to citizens in the First Amendment. Many people remember two of them, the right to free speech, and the right to a free press. Both of these are fairly closely related, and do rankle people from time to time. That people may say “anything” no matter how evil, mean, racist or otherwise, and write anything, no matter how unfair, slanted, or otherwise, can be a challenge to many who wish that certain groups would not air their opinions. However, inherent in this right is our ability to respond when we feel attacked or wish to defeat the opinions of others. It is what Rob Reiner, in the film The American President, calls advanced citizenship. You cannot have these rights for some, without granting them to all.

There are certain exceptions to free speech and free press. Writing or speaking words that could be constituted as a threat to the American people, such as issuing a bomb threat or yelling “Fire” in a theater, can quickly curtail any of your rights. Other things like seriously threatening the life of someone, particularly an elected official, may cause you to be considered an enemy of the state.

There are other rights guaranteed in the First Amendment. These are the right to the free exercise of any religion, the right of peaceful assembly, and the right to petition the government to redress grievances. These rights struck at the heart of many issues that had existed while America still was under British rule. Right to peaceful assembly had been banned by some British governors. Ability to petition the government was touch and go, and the British Government ignored most petitions. Free exercise of religion faced increasing discrimination, particularly with anti-Catholic sentiment in England, and with the diverse sects of primarily Christian religions settling in the New World.

Not only were these rights under constant abuse, but moreover, speaking against British rule, or writing anything negative about the British government could be considered treasonous. It was therefore considered wise to clarify that a new American government must make these rights available to its people. Nevertheless, though many consider the First Amendment the core of American society, there are constant arguments about what it means. This began with the Founding Fathers, and has continued to the present. Though the First Amendment seems straightforward, it has faced numerous challenges, and will likely continue to be tested.