Civics_Ch3_webquest

=**Bill of Rights Web Quest**=

__PART 1: Answer the following questions__:

1. True or false: freedom of religion was put into the Constitution to keep religion and government separate and they didn't want aspects of Christianity to be part of government decisions. Why do you think this?

2. True or false: freedom of speech was set up with the clear intent (purpose) of protecting political speech, or the ability to criticize leaders or policies. As you learned in class, you do NOT have 100% freedom of speech (there are some things you're not allowed to say) such as terroristic threats, urging someone to violate the law, profanity, or planning to overthrow the government. Does speech on the Internet (instant messaging, facebook, twitter, email, blogging) fall into the same guidelines?

3. True or false: the 2nd amendment right to bear arms was part of the Bill of Rights so that citizens could form a militia. Since we have an army today, this amendment is no longer necessary and therefore banning guns isn't a violation of the Founding Fathers' intentions. Would violent crimes decrease if guns were banned?

4. True or false: the 9th amendment says that all rights not denied or listed are retained by the people. This means that there are other rights that could be future rights that the Founding Fathers couldn't foresee. This amendment is where abortion comes in and is used to justify abortions. However, the Founding Fathers were opposed to abortion.

5. In terms of the Bill of Rights, the Founding Fathers intended them to be more of a Bill of Limitations. What do you think is meant by this?

6. "I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it." Which freedom is being addressed? What do you think this means?

7. Life, liberty, and property were important natural rights or fundamental values to our Founding Fathers (first suggested by John Locke in the Enlightenment, George Mason used these rights as part of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, a variation was put into the Declaration of Independence). Life is obviously protected and liberty as well since the Bill of Rights protects our freedoms. How do amendments 3 through 8 protect property rights?

8. Current issue: The 8th amendment says no cruel or unusual punishment. Should this amendment also included captured Muslim terrorists? In other words, should our CIA keep from using enhanced methods of questioning captured terrorists even though using rough methods would help stop future terror attacks? Explain.

9. Current issue: //Albert Snyder v. Westboro Baptist Church -// Albert Snyder's son was killed in Iraq in 2006. At his funeral, this church (not affiliated with the Baptist Church) protested outside of the funeral home (signs ridiculed and condemned Matthew Snyder as well as a poem on the church's website. This church targeted Snyder. The question is free speech vs. intent to harm. Where does free speech end? Everyone has the right to free speech, but should there be a limit on intent to harm, keeping in mind limiting free speech in this case could spark other cases involvement free speech. How would you rule in this case?

10. Current issue: Do you think the American flag should be protected from burning as a form of protest? For example, if a group in the U.S. wants to protest actions of the government, should the group be allowed to burn the flag showing protest or should the flag, as a symbol of our nation, be protected? Explain.

Click here to see how well you did.

__PART 2: Did you know__...that religion was important to the Founding Fathers and it was not something they wanted to see eliminated?. Click here to see how.

__PART 3: Critical thinking__ 1. Why is it good that the Constitution can be amended? 2. It's difficult to amend the Constitution (3/4 of the states have to agree). Why do you think the Founding Fathers made it difficult to amend the Constitution? 3. What did you learn from this web quest that you didn't know?

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