Where should we draw the line between focusing on individual rights and what is best for everyone?

Question

There are valid points for both issues. On one hand we don't want our individual rights lost, but sometimes if feels as if we are so focused on our own individual rights "what's in it for me" that we hurt others as a result.

How should we define where our own rights fit in with what is needed for the common good.

(just to give an example, so don't focus on whether this issue is right or wrong, because it's just to give an example of someplace you would choose a dividing line: I believe a child should have the right to pray in school).

I know that my rights end where your rights are infringed, but what does that mean.

Answer 1

it means that, while your child can have the "right" to pray quietly in school, the school doesnt have the "right" to lead group prayer and subject an unwilling child to the group pressure to participate or be ostracized.

Answer 2

Your rights should not end where another person's right is infringed. If you, personally, are taking someone's right away, that's not a good thing. But then again, maybe that person thinks that they have a right to not be offended. There is no such right....

People get really angry when they see a cross, people praying, or the word 'Christian'...it sparks a hateful fire in their hearts, even when no one is making them do anything. This is why so many atheists run to Christian debates....to insult, to hate, to demean.

A person's right is infringed only when you force someone to do something (not supported in the bible); or when you keep someone from doing something in lawful standards. Otherwise, a person is just whining.

By the way, there is nothing wrong with sharing the Gospel, as some would have you believe. Heaven or Hell is still a person's choice...

Answer 3

spiritwalker said it in one. When we become a highly evolved species we will automatically recognize that what we do for the Self we do for the other, because "WE ARE ALL ONE". An individual has the right and the freedom(not in todays world but should and we're speaking in theory here) to practise what he/she wishes within their own boundaries. Any law, principle or practise which asks of another to do the same against what might be their wishes is impinging on their rights to be individual...peer pressure through allowing an individual to decline of their own accord from a group is another stealthy but vicious form of this kind of behaviour..

p.s: After looking at all the answers you'll notice they all pertain to religious freedoms or rights..The answer is simple and always has been. Abolish all religious doctrine and code(including so called moral code)from law and divorce it from the state. And lets not try argue they have because we all know that no country really has. religious beliefs are a personal thing and should never be placed upon anyone who does not first seek to have them placed there. That includes parents upon their children.

Answer 4

When one person's rights infringe on another (and, no, "because they offend me" does not infringe on your rights).

You have the right to practice your religion, but that does not give you the right to harrass others trying to convert others.

A child has the right to pray in school, but that does not give the that child the right to disrupt a class with it or use it to convert others. A teacher who leads such a prayer infringes on the child's parent's rights by suggesting to a child that his/her parent's religion is wrong.

Think of it this way (yes, this may sound silly, but I'm trying to keep it neutral). What if some religious group were to say vacuuming your carpet is evil, therefore it should be against the law (and gets such a law passed). Why is it any of their business to begin with? Does their religion somehow become more important than yours (perhaps your religion allows, or even requires, you to vacuum your carpet). Your rights would be infringed simply because some religious group requires you to subscribe to some article of their faith. Their rights are now infringing upon yours.

Like I said, the aforementioned example, may seem kind of silly. But I want to keep it neutral. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

A child can pray anywhere. The school can't MAKE them, that's the different.

Alright, my predictions are NOW coming true. A Muslim was elected to Congress and he wants to be sworn in on a Quran and say "So help me Allah."

So, we're now going to face these issues and that SOMEONE ELSES FAITH is going to be IMPOSED on everyone.

Ok your 13 year old son is in class with Mormons and Muslims and learns he can have multiple wives in those religions and considers CONVERTING.

What you gonna do about it.

They are expressing their religous rights, just like everyone else.

Your 14 year old finds out that Jewish people over 14 are adults and can go to the temple and partake in Scarimental Wine, free of charge.

Your 14 year old thinks that's a good way to get a buzz and considers CONVERTING.

I have been playing around with a story about a 13 year old boy from an Atheist family and he has decided to become a Christian and they confiscate his Bible, won't let him put a picture of Jesus on his door in his room and won't let him wear a crusific.

He wants to take them to court.

Who do you think the court will side with? Parental control?

Take the reverse, a Funadmentalist Chrsitian Family and a 13 year old girl who reads books and desides it's Hog Wash and refuses to participate or go to Chruch or say grace. Open definace.

She takes it to court to get her "individual freedom" who do you think the counts will decide with, her or her parents.

These cases WILL be coming eventually.

Answer 6

Let's go with nudity. I can be naked in my own home but the second I go outside or to a window wide open, Im infringing on your rights not to be exposed to my being naked. You have the right to Not want or have to see me naked. Not trying to be dirty but its one that i can easily explain.

Answer 7

The world would be a far better place if we focused more on our responsibilities than our rights. If we all took care of our responsibilities, our rights would be guaranteed.