No. I'm not starting an absolute truth debate.

What I want to know is if you all think that there are universal human rights. Things that should be upheld everywhere as an absolute that should never be violated.

Mostly.

Well, define "rights"--because in my mind it's a legal term, and nothing controlled by human law is universal. Rights, by definition, must be defined and granted by a government.

I think everyone SHOULD have the right to literacy and education, to protection from criminal activities, to freedom of religion and expression, to freedom from discrimination based on gender, race, religion, country of origin, financial or family history, sexual orientation, and age (by which I mean the elderly shouldn't be discriminated against simply for being elderly--I do think it's perfectly reasonable to say that children shouldn't drive, for instance, because they're children). I believe these rights are things worth working for, but there are numerous reasons they can never be universal--the least of which being that many people wouldn't agree with this list.

I think everyone has the right to be loved, too, but that's not something you can enforce, for obvious reasons.

I'm curious, Trav; what are your universals? You said you thought they existed, but you didn't say what they might be.

lol. see, this is why I asked this question. it's tricky! what is discrimination in your book? and is it always a bad thing? If i started a club and wouldn't let non Christians in or people who were over 18, or people who were male. would that be discrimination? technically, it's my club, and I can decide who joins, etc...

and where do you think people get their rights from? And what would you say are ESSENTIAL human rights? I would say that the right to education (although I wish EVERYONE could learn) is not an essential human right, because someone can live a healthy, and fulfilling life without reading etc.

>>If i started a club and wouldn't let non Christians in or people who were over 18, or people who were male. would that be discrimination?

Well, no, I don't think so; rights apply differently to privately-owned institutions and groups that aren't answerable to the government.

>>and where do you think people get their rights from?

By definition, the government.

>>And what would you say are ESSENTIAL human rights? I would say that the right to education (although I wish EVERYONE could learn) is not an essential human right, because someone can live a healthy, and fulfilling life without reading etc.

There's a difference between a right and an obligation. I think everyone should have the RIGHT to education, and I do think this right is essential; however, that doesn't mean someone couldn't go through life uneducated, if they so chose.

I'd also argue the idea that someone could live a healthy, fulfilling life without reading--in our society at least, the illiterate are at a severe disadvantage. That's true for most developed countries, I should think.

To fight for what they want. Life's a bitch, grab it by the horns. If you don't you don't deserve life. :D

[viking05]

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yeah totally! we should bring back gladiators and have death matches to! that way not only is it cost efficiant but its free entertainment!

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That which does not feel pain is dead.

Those are wrong, shali.

[viking05]

Text me! (507) 218-8112

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only from a certain point of view =P

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That which does not feel pain is dead.

DISCRIMINATE: according to Merriam Webster: to make a difference in treatment or favor on a class or categorical basis in disregard of individual merit. (like discriminate in favor of friends) or (discriminate against mexicans).


[i]Well, no, I don't think so; rights apply differently to privately-owned institutions and groups that aren't answerable to the government. So. As long as you're not the government,

So...since technically the church isn't answerable to the government, what if a certain denomination wanted to say that a woman couldn't be a pastor. (which has happened) would that be a sexist discrimination?

> >>and where do you think people get their
> rights from?
>
> By definition, the government.

ick. that creeps me out. if the government decided that i as a woman couldn't vote, and that as a black person i couldn't go to college, would that mean that i no longer had the right to those things?
>
> >>And what would you say are ESSENTIAL human
> rights? I would say that the right to education
> (although I wish EVERYONE could learn) is not an
> essential human right, because someone can live a
> healthy, and fulfilling life without reading etc.
>
There's a difference between a right and an
> obligation. I think everyone should have the RIGHT
> to education, and I do think this right is
> essential; however, that doesn't mean someone
> couldn't go through life uneducated, if they so
> chose.
>
> I'd also argue the idea that someone could live a
> healthy, fulfilling life without reading--in our
> society at least, the illiterate are at a severe
> disadvantage. That's true for most developed
> countries, I should think.


hm. i agree that it would be ideal for everyone to have the chance to learn. (although i doubt it will ever happen.:( _) But i'm not sure it's a right. That makes it sound like it's morally wrong for someone not to be educated. *shrug* I know many beautiful people, who are a blast to be around! And it doesn't really matter what schooling you have.