The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is getting a lot of attention these days, due to statements by Christine O'Donnell, who is running for the U.S. Senate in Delaware.
In a debate asponsored by Widener law school, the Republican asked, "Where in the Constitution is the separation of church and state?" She was correct in stating that those words don't appear in the Constitution -- and she may have been making a point about that fact. But watching the video of her appearance, she just seemed at a loss about the First Amendment's scope.
That amendment is dear to every newspaper reporter and editor, because it also outlines freedom of the press. For the record, here's what the amendment says: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.