Expert: Michael Troy - 3/29/2006

Question
Without the first amendment how would my life be altered?

Answer
Hi there,

Ideally, it would not be different at all.  The freedoms based in the First Amendment are supposed to be fundamental basic human freedoms.  The people should demand them and any government should respect them regardless of what is written down on a piece of paper.

But realistically, Court interventions based on the have been fundamental in changing the way government respects those freedoms:

For example, the First Amendment prevents any establishment of religion.  This has been interpreted to mean that governments cannot spend any money for religious purposes or do anything that might encourage religion.  If this did not exist, you would probably see government support for mainstream churches, primarily for Christian denominations.  You would also see more religous instruction in public schools, again, primarily from a Christian perspective.

The First Amendment also protects free speech and press.  Government would most likely ban more unpopular forms of speech such as pornography.  You might also see laws that would punish unpopular speech such as speech attacking people based on their race or sex.  You might have greater censorship of sex and violence, as well as offensive ideas in movies, TV, and books.  Fringe political parties like Communists and socialists would probably be banned.  Public protests might be banned as well.

In short, the government would be trying to tell you what to think and how to think under the guise of "protecting" you from dangerous ideas.

I hope this helps!
- Mike