First Amendment - First Amendment - Permissible restrictions on expression: Despite the broad freedom of expression guaranteed by the First Amendment, there are some historically rooted exceptions. The First Amendment is actually three separate clauses that guarantee not only press freedom, but freedom of religion, the right to assemble, and to … The First Amendment doesn't guarantee you the rights you think it does. According to the Administrative Office … Updated 7:36 PM ET, Thu September 6, 2018 Updated 11:56 AM … Is it really part of the law? The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the freedom of the press in the United States. As mentioned above, Madison was a proponent of the separation of church and state, and this is probably what translated into the first part of the Amendment. The First Amendment says nothing about “separation of church and state” or a “wall of separation between church and state.” Where did this idea come from? By AJ Willingham and Scottie Andrew, CNN Design: India Hayes and Alberto Mier, CNN. The First Amendment doesn't guarantee you the rights you think it does. The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, and yet, what that means has been interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. But, the First Amendment as written applies only to actions by Congress, and by extension the federal government. First Amendment to the United States Constitution Text. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or... Background. The First Amendment guarantees of religious liberty include the freedom to believe or not to believe, and to observe one’s faith openly without government interference. Over time, it’s also come to apply to state and local governments. The U.S. Supreme Court often has struggled to determine what exactly constitutes protected speech. Among other cherished values, the First Amendment protects freedom of speech. 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