its part of a process in which the nation tries to come to grips with the meager 45 words of the first , and in her opinion foremost , of our bill of rights : 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 .