“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.” - The Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776.
We prize the concept of “Freedom” in this country and any true American patriot resonates with the words written by our Founding Fathers when they declared our independence from Britain. Freedom is the defining characteristic most often used to describe our country to others and is one of the dearest of sentiments. We use the term superfluously as if it were a uniquely American concept that did not exist prior to 1776 and can be found no where else on Earth. However, those who so loudly cry out for freedom are incredibly quick to limit the freedoms of others. They romanticize the ideals the founding fathers stood for without truly believing in it themselves. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness is not meant to be limited to activities deemed suitable by a majority, but should be enjoyed by all.
Civil liberties are clearly defined as being the reason our country was founded. Men and women have fought and died for these rights for over two centuries in this country. It is the basic foundation upon which our government was created and has been a guiding principle we have relied on for centuries. Unfortunately, this fundamental concept is being restricted by the very people who consider themselves champions of the ideal.
Human beings should be able to conduct their lives in a manner which they see fit so long as their actions do not infringe upon the rights of another human being. A case study of this concept that we might reflect on is the prohibition of alcohol in the United States. The 18th Amendment to the Constitution in 1919 was the work of religious lobby groups that were part of a temperance movement almost a century old by the time the Amendment was ratified. It was repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933. Prohibition is directly linked to the rise of organized crime in the United States. A wave of corruption, extortion, and violence swept the country and created a billion dollar black market based around the very thing they sought to ban. This example of a law based on religiously motivated opinions on morality was not only ineffective, but resulted in severely negative consequences that impacted crime in the country for decades to come.
A person’s choice to drink alcohol should be their individual judgement rather than a legal requirement. As long as that decision does not lead them to damage property or harm other individuals, and is done so in a responsible way then they should have the right to drink alcohol. Another person might feel that drinking alcohol is immoral, but their personal opinion on the matter should not hinder the other person’s ability to drink alcohol. As we can see from prohibition, laws were passed in attempt alter human behavior to meet a particular group’s ideals which resulted in a completely opposite outcome. When people are forced to comply with another’s vision for how they should behave, rebels are born. When lifestyle choices are legally regulated then everyday citizens become criminals even though no others are harmed by their decisions.
Banning the sale of alcohol did not stop alcohol consumption, it just created a lucrative black market for alcohol. Many narcotics became illegal during the 20th Century, but at no point has drug use stopped and is still a point of contention today. Abortion being illegal does not stop abortions from happening, but it did make it more dangerous and unregulated. The legality of actions based on moral perception does not stop the activity, but only makes those who seek it to find alternative sources to get what they are looking for. Without regulation of these activities we place those who seek it in danger of being hurt by improper procedures or negligent actors that do not care about the wellbeing of others.
Same-Sex marriage being illegal did not eradicate homosexuality. Condemning people who choose to transition to another gender does not alter their chosen identities. Alienating people for being who they are does not convert them to an alternative way of life.
Removing sexual education from student curriculum does not create a world of abstinence. Banning books does not safeguard children from evil ideas and agendas. The implementation of Christian education in public schools does not create believers in God. The repression of information and education only makes for an uninformed public. Additionally, the attempt at indoctrination of youth does not lead to morally upstanding citizens.
Laws should not be used to force an agenda of morality or conformity to the ideals of a particular group. All people are different and have varying perceptions of morality. What one person condemns, another embraces. Public policy is not meant to dictate which person is right and which is wrong. Laws are meant to protect people’s right to Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Happiness without infringing upon the rights of another. All people should be given an opportunity to live their lives as they see fit without fear of legal repercussions and alienation. It is hypocritical to proclaim a love of freedom and then deny those freedoms to others that do not believe the exact same things that you do. All people should pursue what is best for them and allow others to do the same. We are not required to agree on the best way to spend our lives and be good people. However, we are obligated to protect the civil liberties of all people no matter their lifestyle choices.
If you believe abortion is immoral then do not get an abortion, but do not deny access to health care for those who need it. If you believe drug use is immoral, do not use drugs, but do not incarcerate people for their substance use. If you believe that homosexuality is a sin, then live your life as a heterosexual, but do not deny their lifestyle choices. If you oppose something, do not participate in that activity. You can be against something without having to deny it to others who wish to participate in it. Alternatively, you can support something without requiring it be mandatory for all others. Choose to live your life in a way that best suits your consciousness and ideals while allowing others the opportunity to do the same.
The Declaration of Independence: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript