(July 5, 2009 at 3:29 pm)Tiberius Wrote: Yes, I think rights exist without laws. I think laws are made to protect rights in a society. As for specific rights, I would say the right to free speech, the right to property, the right to life, the right to death (or choosing when you die), etc. I could go on, but I think you get the picture.
What right to free speech does a man with a gun to his head have? What right does a drowning woman or a man dying of cancer have to life? What right does a prisoner in body turned traitor have to death?
None of these things are rights, certainly not inalienable ... they are granted by "rights-based" societies (or by benevolent dictatorships).
What we all do have however is responsibility ... I have the responsibility to grant you freedom of speech (and you and you and you ...) and from that, if everyone does the same, we get the right to freedom of speech (you don't need laws for that just a society that understands the concept that if you grant others freedoms you get them in return). That is why I don't believe in rights ... I believe in responsibilities!
Kyu
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Where those who are hacked off with the stupidity of irrational belief can vent their feelings!
Come over to the dark side, we have cookies!
Kyuuketsuki, AngryAtheism Owner & Administrator
