1st Amendment

The First Amendment of the US Constitution

“ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. ”

“The Establishment Clause” of the first Amendment states:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion"

“The Free Exercise Clause” includes:

“or prohibiting the free exercise thereof... ”

Using what we have learned about the 1^st amendment to the constitution and looking at the Pledge of Allegiance below, work with a partner, taking the role of lawyers defending students who are in trouble because they refused to say the pledge (which was against their schools policy) and develop an argument to defend them using both the “Establishment” clause and “The Free Exercise” clause of the constitution. Refer to both the constitution and the pledge as you develop your arguments.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Bonus Questions: How would you change the Pledge to make it less vulnerable to your arguments and why would your suggestion work?