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Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl
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Originally Posted by Aramike
While I agree with everything you said, I disagree that the term "cornerstone" applies.
The "cornerstone" of our nation is the fundamental freedom we receive from God (by God, I mean bestowed not by man) - not the means of securing nor defending said freedom.
That's the reason the First Amendment is the FIRST Amendment.
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It seems we have different definitions of "cornerstone" in this context.
I have a feeling that I'm in at least partial agreement with what you are saying here, but please elaborate. |
I'm just being very literal in the usage of the term "cornerstone".
Ultimately, the idea is that we have a free society - free speech, religion, assembly, and to petition our government regarding grievances. Those are the fundamental principles upon which our entire society - perhaps culture - is founded. The ownership of guns is, quite frankly, a right bestowed in SUPPORT of that First Ammendment. In fact, so is every subsequent ammendment in the Bill of Rights.
While I agree that being able to bear arms indeed secures and maintains our freedoms, it is those freedoms that are ultimately the basis for even our right to bear arms in the first place.
In the end, the point is this: without the rights outlined in the 2nd Ammendment, there is still the possibility that our society could exist today. Without the rights in the 1st, there's no possibility. While I agree that the 2nd Ammendment IS of upmost importance, I disagree that it is the cornerstone and basis of our culture.
That's why I believe the 1st Ammendment is what it is. Think about it: the 1st Ammendment contains SEVERAL distinct items (religion, speech, assembly, redress of grievences) that could have each been a seperate ammendment. There's a reason they are all combined into one, and for that ammendment to be the first.