Is there wiggle room in the Bill of Rights?

Most people have heard of the Bill of Rights, and likely know that it is the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Most of those don’t know the particulars of each amendment, but the amendments are familiar. Who doesn’t know what “taking the Fifth” means?

Most people can recite the four freedoms found in the First Amendment; free speech, the right of assembly, press and religion. We realize that these can be adjusted to protect the public. For example, one cannot arbitrarily cry, “Fire!” in a crowded theater. The right of assembly is restricted to peaceful endeavors. A free press is not restricted to the truth, as has been shown in the past two years.

As to freedom of religion, this is the right for anyone to follow his or her faith and be cognizant of the religious rights of others. We have seen attempts to impose certain beliefs, supposedly derived from a religious faith, on those of other religions. The amendment prohibits governmental activity to violate that freedom; however, we now have attempts to remove or restrict individual rights based on a religious belief. I believe that not only do we need the freedom to practice our own religions and faiths, we need freedom from religion in government. That should be an integral part of the interpretation of the First Amendment.

ROBERT REGA, GREENACRES