What rights does the First Amendment guarantee?

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution is fundamental to American democracy as it guarantees several essential rights that protect individual freedoms and promote open discourse in society. Specifically, it enshrines the rights to freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

This means individuals can practice their religion freely or choose not to practice any religion without government interference. Additionally, citizens have the right to express themselves without fear of censorship or punishment. The freedom of the press ensures that the media can operate independently and report on issues without governmental control, which is critical for a functioning democracy. Moreover, the right to assemble allows people to gather peacefully for protests or advocacy, and the right to petition enables them to appeal to the government for changes or grievances.

The other options do not accurately reflect the protections conferred by the First Amendment, emphasizing the unique and broad scope of rights it protects, which are foundational to civil liberties in the United States.