Protestantism

» pink101 - Inalienable Rights

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#1. Can you give a definition for inalienable rights?
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#2. Can you explain why our government was instituted?
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-- posted by pink101

» pink101 - Inalienable Rights

In response to Inalienable Rights posted by pink101:
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#1. Can you give a definition for inalienable rights?
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Usually, when people are asked this question, the answer comes back, "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
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These are only examples--not a definition.
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An inalienable right is that one with which we are born and that cannot be given up or taken away from us.
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The discussions on inalienable--unalienalbe--rights began many years before Thomas Jefferson put them in the Declaration of Independence.
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"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their CREATOR, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
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This statement lays down certain specific points regarding the establishment of the United States of American as a sovereign nation.
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It states with unquestionable clarity--leaving no question or doubts--that America was founded as a nation for the purpose of securing equality or inalienable rights to every member of society regardless of anything else.
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The present neo-conservative movement is purposely working to denude us of our inalienable rights through a process of privatization of government that was instituted for the purpose of securing inalienable rights for the people. It is attempting to take us to a political condition outside the purpose for which America was established.
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Some back up history regarding Francis Hutcheson: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inalienable...
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-- posted by pink101

» pink101 - Erata

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This line: "America was founded as a nation for the purpose of securing equality or inalienable rights to every member of society regardless of anything else."
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should have read, "America was founded as a nation for the purpose of securing equality AND their inalienable rights FOR every member of society regardless of anything else.

-- posted by pink101

» pink101 - America!

You have heard it claimed that our government was formed so that we would be a Christian nation. But, as much as you might like that to be the case, it is not true. The "establishment" statement in our Declaration of Independence makes clear and unquestionable claims that:
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A. These Truths are self-evident:
1. All men are equal to each other at the time of their creation
2. All men possess unalienable rights some examples of which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
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B. Governments are instituted in society to secure the equality and unalienable rights. These are the Founding Principles of America!
1. The People provide government with their just powers through the process of consent.
2. If the government threatens to destroy its institutional purposes, the People possess the right to change and replace the government with one that will perform according to the Principles herein defined.
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The question is one of the unalienable rights.
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Unalienable Rights are defined as those rights that cannot be given up or taken away and with which a person possesses at the time of their creation. They are different than inherited rights. A person's belief about a creator is an inalienable right. So, it can be seen that our establishment as a nation does not call for a Christian nation unless--to be--a Christian nation means that every person is guaranteed the right to believe whatever it is that they believe.
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Our national society is ALL about equality and the unalienable rights of every person.
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But, for example, is it an Unalienable Right that each person should receive the best health care possible? What Unalienable Rights can you think of?
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-- posted by pink101

» pink101 - Americans...

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Americans--especially adults--don't like to be tested regarding their understanding of what it means to be American.
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But, that's the point.
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America has come to a place wherein it is being tested by its politicians. The test is more to see what politicians can get away with in turning our nation over to the corporate interests that have invaded our seats of government. For example, the corporate interests are divesting us of our military as our government turns the functions of the military over to privatized operations. We are serenaded with a litany of claims that the government in inefficient and that we need to privatize as much of it as possible--in fact, we are told the only legitimate interests of government are to keep law and order. All other functions are best handled by private industry.
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-- posted by pink101

» Brian Tubbs - Giving someone else a chance

Phil, this is more or less a continuation of our discussion from the American History section. I was waiting to see if someone else wanted to drop in. Beyond repeating what I said over in American History, I'm not sure what more I can offer. I will, however, commend you for bringing up an important issue. Despite our differences, you are getting at the MAIN reason the United States was founded - and the key purpose of government! That being to safeguard our fundamental, unalienable rights.

» pink101 - Giving someone else a chance

In response to Giving someone else a chance posted by BrianTubbs:
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"...you are getting at the MAIN reason the United States was founded - and the key purpose of government! That being to safeguard our fundamental, unalienable rights."
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What about the equality part?
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But, the more important part may be about the idea that government is to be limited because it is such an inefficient way to achieve any goals and objectives and, therefore, as much of it should be turned over to corporate interests that will perform the same services better on a for profit basis.
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Have you heard about new cities being created where the functions of government are being performed by private corporations?
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-- posted by pink101

» Brian Tubbs - Privatization of Services

In response to Giving someone else a chance posted by pink101:

I'm familiar w/ privatization of what are traditionally city or government-run services. What's your point?

» pink101 - Privatization of Services

In response to Privatization of Services posted by BrianTubbs:
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I'm familiar w/ privatization of what are traditionally city or government-run services. What's your point?
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Are you serious?
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That is an entire thread all by itself--especially taking into consideration our inalienable rights as human beings. Government is not instituted for the purpose of profit for the rich and famous; but, for the purpose of equality. I would enjoy reading your take of the "privatization of what are traditionally city or government-run services".
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But, even if you decide not to share your take, please answer this one question: Why is it necessary to institute a government to secure inalienable rights?
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-- posted by pink101

» pink101 - Even More Basic, Brian

In response to Privatization of Services posted by pink101:
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I asked Brian, Why is it necessary to institute a government to secure inalienable rights?
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But, even more basic, Brian, why don't we just save the bother of government altogether and just live in nature without any controls at all?
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No matter how you cut it, the question comes back to the need for government.
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And, if we have a need for government, how will our need be administered and who should be in charge of making its decisions? Is this a democracy or is it organized to be run by lobbyists? These are crucial points of concern and they deserve direct answers.
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-- posted by pink101