Published by The first or most basic level of rights is the power level. You can take or do something because you are stronger/quicker/faster/smarter than the other person. This is OK as long as you do not meet someone who is stronger/quicker/faster/smarter than you. When that happens you lose whatever right the other one wants.
The next level of rights is group rights. This is where two or more people band together and agree on certain things. Usually involving protection and other mutual aid agreements. That is, “I will do this for you, if you do this for me.” Or something to that effect. Again, this is fine as long as a more powerful group does not come along.
We then have the type of rights that occur when there is a group of groups. This can be a league,an alliance, confederation or the like. These can exist locally, more widespread, nationally, or internationally. One member can appeal to others in the group or groups to protect a members right or rights.
It is important to remember the source of whatever right you think you have. If the source can grant it, the source can take it away. In the United States of America our rights come from the Constitution. The Constitution derives its power from a majority of the voting public. The voting public gives up individual rights in exchange for corporate rights. That is if a certain majority of the voting public decided to make being a left-handed, red head with blue eyes a crime, it would be. If the necessary majority wanted to bring slavery back it could happen. Whatever rights or protections that the law gives, the law can take it away.
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Rights can be revoked by higher levels. Individual rights can be modified by group rights. Group rights can be overruled by league rights, league rights can be superceded by international rights.
God has granted us rights. We have the right to free will. We have the right to serve Him. We have the right to be His child. We have the right to worship Him. The only way a right can be revoked is either by granting or higher authority or by the person whose right it is. There is nothing above or beside God. God does not change. God will not be altering or taking away our rights. We on the other hand can give them up. We give them up when we do no use them. We give them up when we do not stand up for them. We give them up when we do not defend them. The only one that can take your God given rights away from you, is you. You are the only one that do this.
Some pretty good “Hmmm” moments in this. Excellent article.
Very good progression of thought on an important subject. Where did your ‘rights’ come from? What an excellent question to consider.
I like the last paragraph! We are born with rights and should respect others rights. Praise God and thank Him and He will bless you.
Some good food for thought here. I had a principal who told students “your right to swing your arm ends where your neighour’s nose begins.”
Very nicely written!
Thank God for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights/International Bill of Rights. For those who don’t know, this spells out basic civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights that all human beings are entitled to. Good article moteintheeye (love the name, cracks me up).
Very interesting, thoughtful work*
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.