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Chapter 4: Civil Liberties and Public Policy

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This activity contains 4 questions.

	Freedom of Religion We know from our history books that the pilgrims left Europe for religious freedom. Yet the founders recognized that the state should not be involved in religion, either by endorsement of religion or prohibiting the free exercise of religious beliefs. Still, where is the line between government endorsement of religion and non-endorsement? Search Tips Read the article titled "Religion and Public Schools" at the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life at http://pewforum.org/issues/display.php?IssueID=9. Once you've finished, review Amendment 1 of the U.S. Constitution, paying particular attention to the parts that talk about religion. Questions to Ask Do you agree or disagree with the Supreme Court's ruling in Zelman v. Simmons-Harris? If you disagree with the Supreme Court, in what ways could government help kids who want to go to private schools, even if they are religious schools, without violating the Constitution? If you agree with the Supreme Court, where do you draw the line? Why it Matters There is a very fine line that government walks when it comes to the relationship between government and religion. Any laws that involve government aiding or limiting religious activities should be scrutinized for their adherence to the First Amendment. Get Involved Send an e-mail to your member of Congress expressing your views about the Zimmerman ruling. Clearly state whether you think it would be okay for Congress to pass a school voucher program like the one in Cleveland or whether you think such a bill would violate the Constitution.   To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

	Freedom of Expression During colonial times opponents of British rule were often harassed and put in jail for expressing their frustrations with the King and the way he managed the colonies. So, one of the rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights is the right of speech, press, and assembly. The founders wanted to guarantee the people's ability to express dissatisfaction with the government. These rights however are not afforded to many other people around the world. Search Tips Got to the International Freedom of Expression Exchange website at http://www.ifex.org/ and review the state of freedom of expression around the world. Questions to Ask Based on your review, which form of expression is most often repressed? How many democratic countries do you find that repress expression? Can the U.S. do anything to encourage freedom of expression? Why it Matters Freedom of expression is fundamental to a democratic polity because it ensures the people's right to criticize government. Without the freedom of expression, people would never feel safe when attempting to make government responsive to their needs. Get Involved Adopt a country that doesn't guarantee freedom of expression and learn all you can about that country. If that country has an embassy in the U.S., send the embassy and e-mail asking them to guarantee freedom of expression to their people.   To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

	Defendant's Rights Amendment 8 to the U.S. Constitution protects against cruel and unusual punishment, among other things. In the late 1700s, cruel and unusual meant something different than it does today. For instance, it was not uncommon for thieves to be branded on the fingers for their crimes back then, but today such punishment would not likely pass the cruel and unusual test. Many argue that the death penalty is also cruel and unusual in the modern civilized world. Search Tips Examine pro and anti death penalty websites, such as The Campaign to End the Death Penalty at http://www.nodeathpenalty.org/ and Pro-death penalty.com at http://www.prodeathpenalty.com/. Review their arguments. Questions to Ask In your view what are the most compelling arguments for and against the death penalty? In your view is the death penalty cruel and unusual punishment? Why or why not? Given that America is a democracy, so long as the majority of Americans support the death penalty isn't it okay? Does it tarnish America's image to be one of only a few countries in the world (including Iraq and Iran) to put to death people who were under 18 when they committed their crimes? Why or why not? Why it Matters Government can take a lot of things from a person, but life is the ultimate penalty. While the U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed the government's right to impose the death penalty, the United States continues to face pressure from around the world to ban the practice. Get Involved Find out what your state's laws on the death penalty are. Do you agree with them? Why or why not?   To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

	Privacy Rights Some argue that civil liberties are about people's ability to make decisions about themselves. The most fundamental decision one could make is the decision to die. However, when Dr. Jack Kervorkian was convicted of second-degree murder for helping terminally ill patients commit suicide, the Supreme Court ruled that the right to die is not protected by the Constitution. Search Tips Read the World Federation of Right to Die Societies' web page containing information on the right to die at http://www.worldrtd.net/faqs/. Questions to Ask What is your view, should the right to die be protected by the constitution? Why or why not? If the right to terminate a pregnancy is protected, why isn't the right to die? Right now states can pass laws allowing for euthanasia. Would you support your state legislature passing such a law? Why it Matters Terminally ill patients who are in severe pain argue that they should be allowed to end their life. Free choice, such as the choice to live or die, is fundamental to the American way of life. Yet, the right to die is not a clear cut issue. Get Involved What are your state laws on the right to die? Are there any organizations in your state trying to pass right to die laws? Are any organizations fighting against right to die efforts?   To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

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