Editor’s Note: The following is the winning entry from Citrin Law Firm’s Constitutional Essay Contest.

Since the day our country was founded, the people have been an integral part of the government.

Americans are given many opportunities to be involved. A simple privilege that is often taken for granted is easy access to the nation’s constitution. The founding fathers hoped to avoid future corruption in government by insuring that the people themselves were familiar with the ideals and held to them. However, today, a lack of knowledge and simple effort have caused many Americans to misunderstand their constitution.

The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting free exercise thereof;” In other words, the government is to neither force a religion on the people, nor prevent the people from practicing their religion. In England, the Anglican church was the only accepted church. The Puritans came to the United States in order to practice their religion without persecution. The founding fathers remained true to the principles on which the country was founded by ensuring religious freedom for all.

Today, however, many Americans have become worked up over the issue of “separation of church and state.” In their ignorance, they claim that the United States Constitution advocates a government completely void of any religious influence. One of the more famous such cases took place in Montgomery, Ala. A replica honoring the Biblical Ten Commandments was ordered to be removed from the Supreme Court building. Upon closer study, however, the constitution in no way bans religious influence in any branch of government. It simply insists that no religion is ever forced or made illegal.

Imagine how much confusion and controversy America would avoid if every one of its citizens was well educated concerning the laws of his or her nation. The misinterpretation of the First Amendment is a prime example.

So take the initiative, America!