First Amendment clause-trophobia

Written By : Jonah Goldberg May 24, 2013

“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 press can always be counted upon not just to speak up for itself, but to lavish attention on itself. “We can’t help that we’re so fascinating,” seems to be their unspoken mantra……The problem is twofold. First, we all have a right to commit journalism under the First Amendment, whether it’s a New York Times reporter or some kid with an iPhone shooting video of a cop abusing someone…… when it comes to the rest of the First Amendment, with the small exception of the “establishment of religion” clause. Deeply secular, the press is ever watchful that the government might force someone to listen to a Christian prayer.

But when it comes to the constitutional right to exercise your faith freely, the press drops its love of the First Amendment like a bag of dirt. The president’s health-care plan requires religious institutions to violate their core beliefs. To the extent that such concerns get coverage at all, it’s usually to lionize “reproductive rights” activists in their battles against religious zealots……To Read More….