Chapter 4. Fundamental American Liberties
Explore
General information
The FindLaw
database allows you to search and read the full text of every Supreme Court
decision handed down since 1893 and selected earlier cases. The database is
particularly useful for learning about many of the cases dealing with civil
liberties that were discussed in the chapter. (See
Exercises.)
Freedom of religion
The Library of Congress's
exhibit on freedom of religion contains a phenomenal amount of information
regarding the debate over this issue in the country's early history. Visitors
have the opportunity to look at and read about original documents that
influenced the founders' views of freedom of religion.
The Christian Coalition of America may be the
most recognized organization that contends that church and state should not be
separate. On this organization's web site you will be able to read about
current bills that the group is fighting for or against in Congress, learn
about its voter education program, and get information about becoming active in
the organization. The American Center for Law and Justice
(ACLJ) is another organization dedicated to
promoting religion in government. The organization is concerned with fighting
for several other conservative causes in the courts as well.
Those who disagree with the Christian
Coalition or the ACLJ might want to check out the Americans United for Separation of
Church and State web site. The site has links to hundreds of newspaper
articles that relate to issues important to the group, as well as cases
currently before a court regarding the separation of church and state. Visitors
even have the chance to report a government action that they believe violates
the separation of church and state.
Freedom of expression
A substantial number of organizations are
dedicated to protecting freedom of expression, the best known of which is the American Civil Liberties
Union (ACLU). The ACLU is dedicated to protecting a wide range of
citizens' rights—not just freedom of expression—and the ACLU's web site has an
enormous amount of information dealing with current ACLU issues in Congress,
the state legislatures, and the courts. Other interesting web sites dedicated
to protecting freedom of expression are the Freedom Forum, the National Coalition Against Censorship, and the Thomas Jefferson Center
for the Protection of Free Expression. Particularly interesting on
the
Academic freedom
Students
for Academic Freedom is dedicated to fighting what it sees as the liberal
indoctrination of students by university professors. The web site contains the
organization's "Academic Bill of Rights," recent news commentary, and
a listing of the organization's activities in various states.
The American Association of University Professors
(AAUP) is an organization dedicated to protecting academic freedom
of university professors. At this web site, students can access a list of
schools that have been admonished by the AAUP for limiting academic freedom and
read current articles and the AAUP's report relating
to the issue.
The right to bear arms
The National Rifle Association (NRA)'s web
site provides you with everything you need to know about one of the nation's
most powerful interest groups. You can learn about the history of the NRA and
current gun control legislation. The site also has links to news commentary on
firearm-related stories. (See Exercises.)
For the other side of the Second Amendment
debate, visit the Coalition
to Stop Gun Violence's web site. Similar to the NRA's web site, you
can read about recent gun control legislation with links to contact your
elected officials. You can also access the coalition's blog for up-to-date
discussion of gun-related issues. (See Exercises.)
The rights of criminal defendants
While not the only organization dedicated to
fighting the death penalty, Amnesty International
is the best known. It has a special web site devoted to abolishing the death
penalty. At this site, visitors can obtain statistics about executions, the
latest news on the subject, and information about the use of the death penalty
in countries throughout the world.
The Death Penalty Information Center
contains a wide array of statistics on the death penalty in the
The right to privacy
End of Life Choices is a North American–based organization devoted to giving individuals greater control concerning their deaths. The site includes a media fact sheet, information on current legislative action, and stories of supporters.