What have you done to stand up for your beliefs?

Question

I had a conversation with my brother's and everything came back to me and how annoying I am when it comes to sticking up for what I believe in. And that made me want to ask what any of you have done that shows how much you believe in something.

Like a few years ago girls had to wear uniforms at my old school while guys didn't. I got so pissed that I marched out of school and literally dragged random girls with me against there will. I missed school for three days and egged it and did all this stupid **** to it. I didn't change anything sadly. But hey, I tried! :p


And my step-dad bought leather couches and I'll admit I'm not a vegitarian or anything so yeah I eat killed animals, but I think killing animals just to make them into clothing or furniture is ridiculous. So the day after he got them when my mom and him went shopping ... I burned them! My brother walked down the stairs and was like oh crap! And starting freaking out until finally my sister put it out. :p

Answer 1

One thing to keep in mine--your rights (and therefore standing up for your beliefs) ends where others begin. Therefore regardless of what you think you are standing up for, you aren't granted the right to assault others or their property. It's very important you grasp the difference prior to turning 18 or you will spend a lot of time with the court system.

You have the right to boycott leather (remember you need to include this in your leather shoes and suede jacket) products. Though it is odd that you see it ok to kill the animal for food but not use the rest of the carcass. Would you rather have the rest of it go to waste?

However I stand up for my beliefs frequently. Some examples are donating money to causes that I believe in, joining protests, purchasing items that show my support (for example organic cotton or recycled paper, items that donate the proceeds to breast cancer research). I also refuse to allow Christianity to run ramrod over the country. I am an atheist and my family came over for religious freedom. I see it as very important to ensure that laws are not passed that continue to turn America into a single religion country.

I am a frequent letter writer. Recently I had a problem with an insurance agent. A drunk driver hit me but the agent's practices were unethical. I wrote a letter to Nationwide Corporate and to the Dept of Insurance Commissioner.

Also I am a journalist and have taken the journalist oath. I will go to jail rather than reveal a source. However, the style of journalism I went into isn't investigative reporting so I will probably never be pressured into revealing a source.

The United States would not have been founded if it weren't for people standing up for their beliefs. Though it is important for the matter of principle to actually be altruistic or at the least, invested in utilitarianism instead of merely for your own personal gratification.

Answer 2

Standing up for your beliefs is a delicate thing to do. It takes much tallent and takes the ability to step back and look at the situation at hand.
The burning of the couches was probably not the brightest idea. But if you really dislike the killing of animals for those purposes, join a group or club and wear t-shirts supporting the cause, etc.

And the uniform thing? Maybe it would have been wise to write a well devised essay on why it bugs you and what you plan to do about it, have as many people as possible sign a petition, and turn it in the school district.

I stand up for my beliefs by not letting it slide by me when i hear others bad-mouthing what i stand for. I tell them to take the conversation to another location or stop talking about it all together. Communication is the key. The pen is mightier than the sword.