Which amendment is primarily associated with freedom of speech and religion?

The First Amendment is primarily associated with freedom of speech and religion because it explicitly protects these fundamental rights. Ratified in 1791, the First Amendment guarantees citizens the right to express themselves freely without government interference, which includes the freedom to speak, write, and publish ideas and opinions. It also protects the freedom of religion, allowing individuals to practice their faith freely without governmental constraints or favoritism towards one religion over another. This foundational pillar of American democracy emphasizes the importance of protecting individual liberties that are essential to a free and open society.

In contrast, the Second Amendment addresses the right to bear arms, the Third Amendment involves the quartering of soldiers, and the Ninth Amendment deals with the enumeration of rights and the protection of unenumerated rights. Thus, they do not pertain to the specific freedoms of speech and religion that are central to the First Amendment.