What the Founders believed may surprise you. Contrary to common teachings today, very few deists existed in the 18th century. Therefore, deists were outnumbered. Judeo-Christian Morality: A Shared Foundation The Framers had a common belief in Judeo-Christian moral values (not religious doctrine) that are still widely held today. You know the ones- don’t cheat, steal, […]
Individual Freedom vs. Collective Ideology
There are competing ideologies, and many Americans want it both ways.That is impossible! Today’s Competing Ideologies Our young people chant pro-death slogans against the innocent. Have these people ever studied real history or science? Perhaps if colleges taught an actual body of knowledge and promoted patriotism (i.e., love of one’s country), not tribalism (i.e., oppressor […]
US Constitution: Does It Ever Mention God?
One of our commenters last week asserted that “God is never mentioned in the U.S. Constitution.” Our regular participants here at Common Sense Civics and Citizenship know that the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution comprise our Founding American Documents. So, rather than the filtered, watered-down opinions of “the politician, press, or professor,” let’s […]
A New Axis of Evil?
A Divided USA Opens Door For New Axis of Evil A new axis of evil is lining up. With a country as divided as ours, Americans are siding up. Caution: We ought to take heed. Abraham Lincoln’s 1858 “House Divided” speech tells us why: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” A New Axis of […]
Know What You Believe
Remember what we learned about conversing with someone who has an opposing viewpoint? Know what you believe. Know what they believe. Know what they believe about what you believe. (Note: Today’s post is from a Facebook article I wrote. Here is another similar article from this website with additional information: https://civicsandcitizenship.org/the-right-to-protest/ There are some illustrative […]
Thoughts and Prayers
A childhood friend posted this meme on their newsfeed: “Thoughts and prayers are useless to dead children.” Excuse me? You are telling us what and who we can think about and pray about and how we should respond to tragedy? How do you know my prayers are ineffective? (I believe God knows the intents and […]
Which Law Applies?
So, which law is it? Is the First Amendment right to peaceful protest, or is United States law 18 U.S.C. § 1507 the law we employ for guidance on peaceful protests? I hear both quoted and both used in the recent and ongoing protests. A bit of background: I was in Washington, D.C., last weekend. […]
The Right to Protest
This week, my high school students will study and memorize the First Amendment. I have a real-life example of the First Amendment in action to share with the classes, thanks to a note from a non-fan of this educational page. You might find this interchange instructive, as I did. Here goes: The man was on […]
Harry and the First Amendment
Assimilation is an integral part of living in America. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, England, is a new resident of the United States. As good neighbors and common sense citizens, let’s help a guy out, shall we? He thinks our First Amendment is “bonkers.” Just to help us to better understand the Prince, Oxford […]
The American Response
Now and then, we need to discuss our duties and reactions as citizens. Current events compel us to take a look at what’s going on and respond as Americans. The situation: Spray-painted messages appeared all over Kinnick Stadium at the University of Iowa. Same graffiti appeared on the University of Iowa Hospitals property, where employees’ […]
Name the First Amendment Rights. Go!
More than 40% of Americans cannot name even one of the freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment. Only 36% of those surveyed could name even one freedom. Some Americans think there are only three freedoms guaranteed. Actually, we have five freedoms in the First Amendment. Can you name them? If not, let’s get after it […]
