The Constitution is the foundational document of U.S. governance. In some corners, though, it's considered outmoded. Is the Constitution really out of date?

Curiosity contributor Bambi Turner set her sights on America's central governing document and found it still going strong.

Those who call the U.S. Constitution out of date point to changes that have occurred since its creation back in 1787 -- everything from atomic weapons to advances in medicine, technology and transportation.

Some critics of the Constitution might not realize just how much the people who drafted it had in common with people of today. Signers of the Constitution could not have foreseen the complexities of modern science or predicted the social developments that would arise, but they understood the impact of tyranny, and the desire for human rights, liberty and freedom from oppression. These basic human desires don't change with the times.

The Constitution was never intended to dictate precisely how the federal government should run. Instead, it offers a broad framework, giving some structure and power to the federal government, while guaranteeing basic rights to the people. It focuses on preserving people's rights rather than outlining specific laws. So it's up to Congress and the courts to apply the Constitution to our changing nation.

Perhaps the best evidence of the document's relevance is the public support it still enjoys. In a 2010 poll by the National Constitution Center, 74 percent of Americans agreed that the Constitution is an enduring document that remains relevant to this day. Public support is even stronger when one mentions aspects like the Bill of Rights.

The majority of Americans agree with the rights enumerated in the Constitution, even when they entail risks. For example, the Second Amendment "right to bear arms" is a controversial right guaranteed by the Constitution and it has been challenged repeatedly by those who believe gun ownership leads to violence. Nevertheless, a 2010 poll by Harris Interactive found that 80 percent of adults believe Americans should be allowed to own a rifle or a shotgun, and more than 70 percent agree the Second Amendment includes an individual right to gun ownership. Also, more than 70 percent affirm their fellow citizens' First Amendment right to speak their mind "even if they take positions that seem deeply offensive to most people."