What is the limit of human freedom and rights?

Question

Western people consider their freedom and rights as sacred, but do these have a limit? I am a Muslim and I believe that I am a humble servant of Allah and my freedom is fulfilled by following his doctrine and I feel very happy, what is your opinion?

Thanks for the answers, my 8-year-old brother also think our freedom stop when others start, but what about our owner rights, are we free to drink wine, or smoke, knowing what adverse effects are expected on our health which is a blessing God gave us to protect not to destroy, who own our body, and who has the right in taking decision about it?

A person may commit a sin in private and this will be between him and his Lord, but if he commits a sin in public other people are requested to denounce his sin otherwise his sin may affects other people. For example homosexual relations are forbidden by God, so if the community takes actions against it they all will be in good position, but if one says I am free in doing this and the community accepted his sins God will consider them partners with him. However, the denouncement has several steps; the highest is by action as the parents in their home, or the ruler in his state. A lower step is verbal denouncement as by media or between friends. And the least step is to denounce secretly inside your heart when you are weak and fear harsh reactions. I don't think we are free to sin as we like taking into consideration that this may affect others indirectly, and this concept is not limited to Islam, but also in Judaism and Christianity both have similar concepts.

Answer 1

Yes our freedoms have limits. When they begin to infringe on other people's freedoms. Like called gays and lesbians cruel names, being racist, sexual harrassment. In my high school, some kids believe they have the right to do so, but it ends with a ride to the police station.
I consider my freedom as sacred, yes. I just want to be able to sing and act and dance and read and write and be with the people I love. I was once in a situation when all my freedoms were taken away (I was sick, hospitals are just like prisons) and I never want to experience it again.
Lastly, I admire you. For what you said about your faith. I studied Islam in school this year and I was truly fascinated. I consider myself spiritual (I denounced my Roman Catholic roots after I realized I don't agree). But your religion is beautiful and peaceful. I am happy to hear that someone out there feels free and happy.
Thanks for the chance to express myself. I hope you post more questions.

Answer 2

First let me answer Milos K.

Freedom is an illusion? Is slavery an illusion? Are the people who are oppressed in China, North Korea, and similar nations living an illusion, too?

Your answer is...pathetic.

I agree with just about every previous answer. Your freedoms extend to the point they infringe upon the freedoms and rights of others.

According to the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights and so on, all men (and men was meant then to include women) were created equal. Therefore, our rights are also equal, not one more equal than another.

We have the right to live free. Slavery does not always mean people in chains. Slavery can extend to political oppression, sexual discrimination and so on.

I think it is slavery to force women to wear those clothes in the Middle East and expect them to cover up all the time. I think it is a form of slavery to make women less of a human/citizen than men.

If you have ever NOT been free then become free, freedom is ANYTHING but an illusion.

If freedom is an illusion, why is everyone the the freaking world trying to get HERE in the U.S.?

Answer 3

Westerners life cannot be compared with Christianity.

Can you compare the people of specific Muslim countries life with Islam (By the way there is no Christian country, except Vatican City). If your answer is yes, I know many of them waiting at the clubs to get the door opened to start their day (drinking). Even during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

I have a friend here who complains many times that you people can drink but we cannot. (I don't drink. But, since I am a Christian he thinks that I drink). With such people always I keep mum, because if I say something immediately their interpretation will be "Blasphemy".

Answer 4

The Moslims in my city are very impressive people. Most of them are doctors of various kinds. They are exceptional and many brilliant. Their faith is responsible for much of what they are. Discipline is strong in their home country,
Surprisingly so.
Human freedom and rights must be changed and come to a stop where the freedoms and rights of others are being hurt.

Answer 5

It looks like a lot of us are on the same page here. Let me add one. "Your nose ends where my business begins." I don't know who said that. It wasn't me.

To the humble man with the question. Our rights in America are God given. They are not law given, as taught by state institutions. They are not doctrinally given, as taught by religionists of any persuasion, yours or mine.

Note: We hold these truths to be "self evident" (not legally perscribed) that all men are CREATED EQUAL AND ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR (not by any law school, church, court, legislature, priest, imam or precident) with certain inalienable rights...that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of "happiness" .
Please sir. Also note, that "happiness" 200 years ago had a connotation of virtue and opportunity. It was not the feel good dumb luck that defines happiness in America today.

So, sir. You and I do not serve the same object of worship and may not see the same source for our freedom. Still we can, I think, take hope that the eternal spirit looks only upon the condition of our hearts.

If you are happy and at peace with yourself and your neighbor; then I salute you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If I am happy and at peace with myself and with you; then we are not far from the same opinion or the same spirit. If, however, there is war and division in our heart, than neither one of us is true.

Answer 6

Freedom is unlimited .. My rights as a human can't have any type of limits .. but if it hurts me .. why i do it ? like the non legal relationships between boys and girls .. what they gain of it ? no thing good never ... and many many more examples .. i forgot to say something .. the only thing can limit your freedom in the good range and save you , your body and your mind is something .. an old man called for .. called all the man for .. and still now we are calling for .. it is ISLAM .. your bro .. Ahmed

Answer 7

The only limit to freedom is the limit you decide for yourself which ironicly is nearly 100% influenced by the people around you. I don't think any person is really in control of their freedom nor in control of the freedom they decide for others. For instance, when you get angry with someone and you show your anger towards them you are limiting their freedom. Yet how many of us haven't done this?

Answer 8

The limit of freedom is that you can do anything that makes you happy as long as it doesn't make anybody else unhappy. Following Allah is perfectly fine if it makes you happy (and nobody gets hurt). Becoming a cannibal is not.

Answer 9

Lucman, I commend you for your integrity on following your beliefs. We westerners do believe in our freedoms, but like others have said, they only go until they infringe on other people's rights. For instance, in a place like this where people ask questions, I have more freedom to express my views. However, it would be wrong of me to go out on the street and push my views on other people. Also if my rights caused physical harm to other people, that would be wrong as well.

A good example is that I believe abortion is wrong, but it would be wrong of me to bomb an abortion clinic. Instead, I would prefer to work towards eliminating the causes of abortion - poverty, lack of affordable childcare, providing support systems for the mother, etc.

Answer 10

not every part of the world has full freedom but where i live we have full freedom thanks to emancipation but I have freedom of all freedom. Jesus die to set me free he broke the bars or prison for me glory to God he set me free. He is the only God that has die for our sin and transgression on the third day he risen. And he took the keys of hell. Other religions may see there god but my God you can't see but he is the only one who is a live and risen and he answers prayer so when i pray i don't pray in vein or to a rock that cant hear you.