MAN'S UNALIENABLE RIGHTS
From the 9/12 project:6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
Man's rights of Life, Liberty, and Property are granted by God and may not be abridged.
What is meant by the "pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence?
Are there instances in which we forfeit our natural rights?
5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
Off topic comment:
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who teared-up during the reading of the Declaration of Independence in the movie John Adams?
Pursuit of happiness was originally thought of as property. Owning property has always been a goal for many individuals in many societies. It represents stability and security and is a symbol of accomplishment. I think in general pursuit of happiness is about establishing one's well-being as much as possible in peace and comfort.
ReplyDeleteYou can't force people to pursue their own happiness. They have to make it themselves. By trying to force equal results, you inherently create unequality. It can't be done. It's a violation of the God-given right to free will.
These rights are forfeited when we violate someone else's rights. By depriving someone of life or liberty, established laws can punish you with an equal deprivation. We can also give away our rights to government -- it's very hard to get them back once lost.
P.S. I just started "Liberal Fascism" and read a comment in there about people now wanting the government to just hand them happiness -- no longer bother to pursue it themselves. I don't think you can stumble into happiness without pursuing it.
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