[Amendment 1]

  Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof; or abridging the free-
dom 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.

   Many countries have made one religion the es-
tablished (official) church and supported it with gov-
ernment funds. This amendment forbids Congress
to set up or in any way provide for an established
church. In addition, Congress may not pass laws
limiting worship, speech, or the press, or prevent-
ing people from meeting peacefully. Congress also
may not keep people from asking the government
for relief from unfair treatment.
--World Book Encyc., Vol. 4, p. 798o