Freedom is among the most deeply held American values and defines both the personal lives of individuals and the common good of the community. Freedom in its many forms grows out of living in a civil society and being governed by the rule of law. The freedom of religion protects the rights of atheists and agnostics, as well as those who hold no religious affiliations. The freedom of expression includes freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, and of petition. Personal freedom is the most unencumbered of all forms of freedom. It exists when individuals feel free to do what they want to do without any limitations or constraints. In contrast, conditional freedom stems from group processes and refers to the notion that other people or things are important in determining the manner by which individuals live. The third form of freedom to emerge from the research of George Hillery and his associates is disciplined freedom.