We, the non-religious in America, as a (loosely defined) group commonly discriminated against simply for asserting our First Amendment rights, have a vested interest in protecting said rights. How is this possible when poll after poll show a disturbing lack of understanding and interest in even the most integral of these?
Although the 2006 poll from Chicago’s McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum doesn’t specifically mention the establishment clause or religion, it’s sad to see that the overall understanding of the First Amendment is so weak. According to the poll (if accurate), 20 percent of Americans think the First Amendment allows us the right to own a pet. At this point I seriously considered that this was some sort of April Fools joke, but looking at the date of the Washington Post article mentioning it, it’s not. All the more depressing. As they report:
28 percent know more than one of the five fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment: the freedoms of religion and speech; of the press; to assemble peaceably; and to petition for redress of grievances.
I don’t know about you, but I am of the opinion that when not much more than a quarter of those questioned could name even two of our fundamental freedoms, something is seriously wrong.
All is not lost, though! I am happy to relay that the Washington Post has reported:
52 percent of Americans can name at least two main characters in “The Simpsons” television show, and 22 percent can name all five (Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie).
At least something is right with the country!
That reads as depressing, but don’t worry. The non-religious community is making headway all the time in our struggle for equality. The progress we are making is greater every year; and I don’t see it stopping any time soon. Still, we must not forget that we are nowhere near an end in this struggle. As in every civil rights movement, we need a drastic change in the national ideology. As American history shows us, such a change is never quick or easy.
At the end of the article is a good short interview with Supreme Court Justice Breyer about educating public school students in civics and the Constitution.
