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CHAPTER FIVE 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 to learn 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 will 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 regarding the separation of church and state that are
currently before a court. 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 Jefferson site is the
"Jefferson Muzzle Awards" given by the organization each year to a
person or group "who in the past year forgot or disregarded Mr.
Jefferson's admonition that freedom of speech 'cannot be limited without being
lost.'" Past winners include the Clinton administration (2000), CBS
Television (2004), NASCAR (2005), and a joint award to the Republican and
Democratic national parties (2005). 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's website 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
website, 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, one 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 United States, including the number of executions by state, a racial
breakdown of those executed and on death row, and links to several studies
regarding the death penalty. 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. KEEPING THE REPUBLIC The founders believed that an informed citizenry, unafraid to criticize the government openly and lobby for change, was crucial to the survival of the Republic.
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