Evolution of Individual Rights :: essays research papers

phylogeny of Individual Rights Prior to the Constitutional radiation patternReligious immunity is hotshot main reason for the founding of our country. The concept of ideological and spectral freedom remains as strong today as it was at the m of the founding of the United States. The founding fathers left their homelands for a country, which promised freedoms well beyond those, available to the masses during the times of early U.S. immigration. Representatives at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia (1787) intentionally avoided making strong statements regarding religion due to a firm belief that religious provisions were unnecessary to preserve religious liberty. This omission was not taken lightly by six states, who went on to propose amendments guaranteeing religious freedom. In fact, two states refused to ratify the document until a Bill of Rights, including religious freedom, was adopted. In 1789, a compilation of modifications and amendments were assembled, which included the statements we jointly call the eldest Amendment to the United States Constitution (Alexander and Alexander, 1998).The pertinent section of the First Amendment that refers to religion simply states "Congress shall make no law respecting the cheek of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The first part of the statement is normally cognize as the "establishment" clause, while the second part is known as the "free exercise" clause. Though intended to be clear, crisp and decisive in its presentation of the two clauses, the potential for individual description based on individual biases and ephemeral passions continues to allow for impassioned personal line of credit to this day. It is the balancing of these two clauses that makes the analysis of religious freedom questions difficult for teachers, administrators and ratified professionals.