Does your rights give you the right to infringe on my rights?

Question

Ok i know the question sounds wierd but I would like honest answers. Ok you have the right of freedom of religion. I have the same right of freedom of religion. Do you have a right to tell me I'm wrong or boycott my place of business or cause me other hardship because of your freedom? This is a Constitutional question NOT a religious question. I'm looking for answers for a Law point of view.

Allow me to explain the boycott issue. I person yes has a right not to shop at your shop BUT does that give him a right to gather people infront of the shop with picket lines that cost me sales from othe customers?

Answer 1

The first amendment gives people the right to say anything they so choose as long as it isn't yelling "FIRE" in a crowded theater. They can say that you are wrong and you have the right to say they are wrong. I think what skullkeepers is saying about the boycott issue is that people who picket a business they don't agree with and prevent the regular customers that like the business from getting to the business. If a person wants to boycott or not go to a certain store because they don't agree with it they don't have to actively picket it to prevent regular customers from shopping there.

Answer 2

Personal freedom and choice should allow people of one religion to make choices about where to shop if it is a religious question. We don't really have religious freedom in the USA. this is evidenced by the fact that WICCA cannot put their religious symbol on her veteran husband's grave and by the fact that religions that the government deems as cults are routinely attacked. Mormons and other religions permit more than one wife yet our government doesn't allow more than one wife. I would not shop at an illegal immigrant supported store, nor would I shop at a store where I know that my personal religion would prohibit it or where my being there would be considered a sin. Freedom of religion means freedom of Choice. It does not give anyone the right to burn a store or burn a cross on a lawn or otherwise cause harm to another.

Answer 3

I have a limited right to protest, meaning that it must be done in the proper recognized forum. However, it does not have anything to do with your rights, because I can't protest in your church, I can protest on the street. The greatest concern for the Supreme Court in regards freedom of speech is prior restraints, meaning laws preventing me from enacting my rights are void, even to a the residual detriment of your rights. Also boycotting a business is not a right it is a choice, and if it causes you hardship too bad, get a better product or stop making children sew my pants. Rights are individual and exclusive, but there is a balancing with the state's interest in protecting all its citizens rights and that is where you are represented by Sen. Clinton and others. More comfortable now?

Answer 4

Two words - First Amendment

The same act that gives freedom of religion ALSO give freedom of SPEECH!

So someone can say that they don't approve of your particular religion - just as you can tell them to go F@#& themselves ;););)

As for boycotting your business - there is no LEGAL way to prevent this. They - and those who share their beliefs - are simply choosing not to support what the GROUP feels is "wrong". Now if they actually prevent customers from PHYSICALLY entering your store - THIS is illegal...

I don't know exactly what "hardships" you are talking about - but they (and those who think like them) have the RIGHT to decide where they do business.

Answer 5

Legally, I would have the right to my opinion. I could tell you you're wrong if you say the grass is green. It's my right to my opinion.
I could "boycott" any business for any reason. If I didn't like the way you dressed in your business, I could go to another business. Yes this can cause slow business and hardship. Hence, Customer is ALWAYS right.
**What I would challenge is: if you are muslim and your religion causes you to wear certain clothes--even while at a uniform job--I should have the same right(as a christian) to wear a cross around my neck for all to see--or on my shirt--without having to conform to dress policy, same as muslims.

Answer 6

I'm not sure what these "other hardships" you speak of are, but as far as saying you are wrong, or boycotting your business is concerned, I certainly have the right. In fact, I can tell you anything I bloody well please so long as I'm not threatening you...but that doesn't mean you have to listen.

I don't know how me boycotting your business infringes on your rights...if I were some how keeping you from doing business, then I would be infringing.

Answer 7

Yes, I would have the right to verbally tell you that you're wrong, and also have the right to not shop at your business. What would be wrong is forcing someone to shop at a place they don't want to or silencing them because you don't agree. The Constitution also gives you the same rights: to criticize me and not give me your business.

Answer 8

To some extent, yes. Nobody's rights are absolute as long as other people exist. To say that one person's rights end where another's begin isn't quite true, because there is going to be some overlapping. It is more true to say that one person's rights end where they begin to overwhelm another person's rights. If the conflict is equally shared, however, then a balance has been met concerning each person's rights.

Answer 9

I feel that if someone dosen't want to shop at a certain place then that is their right. I also feel it is your right to sell what you wish. And to not have people in front of your place of business detering customers.Have you tried getting help from your local law enforcement?

Answer 10

Ah, you've discovered the libertarian principle...and that is the rights of the individual prevail only to the point that they infringe on the rights of other individuals. Of course, it's not always clear where that line is. That's why we will always need lawyers.