As seen on Pinterest

[laurat99]

A t-shirt that says:

If the fetus you save is gay, will you fight for it's rights.

An interesting question for many fundys/evangelicals, including myself. If I say that every life is worth saving, that life has to be valued throughout its lifetime. That includes people of the opposite political affiliation and lifestyles from me.

[Darrell]

Quote:If the fetus you save is gay, will you fight for it's rights.

Of course. Which brings us to the question of "what is a human right?"

And then the fight started...

[bean]

I think a basic list of starters would be a decent education and health care that is affordable. A government that respects diversity...Those might be starting points.

[Darrell]

Quote:I think a basic list of starters would be a decent education and health care that is affordable.

Is it my "right" to force somebody else to pay for things I need?

[Persnickety Polecat]

(05-17-2012 07:58 AM)Darrell Wrote:  

Quote:I think a basic list of starters would be a decent education and health care that is affordable.

Is it my "right" to force somebody else to pay for things I need?

People do it all the time. I've never needed the fire department, but my taxes pay for fire protection services. Many people don't use the public school system, but their taxes go to pay for it.

Still, while I may not personally benefit from their use of such public services, they benefit all of us in a more general sense. An educated public is unarguably a good thing. If my neighbor's house burns to the ground, my property value will drop dramatically. If you have no health insurance and need care for something relatively minor, you'll get it at the emergency room, and then all our costs will rise since the hospital will have to recoup its unpaid bills somehow.

[Darrell]

I understand the economic argument of "pay me now or pay me later" in cases of things like education and healthcare. But the question is whether or not that's a "good idea" or a "human right."

Those are very different things qualitatively.

[Persnickety Polecat]

(05-17-2012 08:16 AM)Darrell Wrote:  I understand the economic argument of "pay me now or pay me later" in cases of things like education and healthcare. But the question is whether or not that's a "good idea" or a "human right."

Those are very different things qualitatively.

I would personally call anything pertaining to an individual's life and liberty a human right. I believe there are certain civil, environmental and social rights and rights pertaining to specific groups. Medical care and education would fall under the social heading. I do, ftr, believe that education is a human right. I also believe that access to basic medical care -- vaccines, for example -- should also be considered a human right.

[C_Fresh]

My thought is that something must have always been possible, if not always easy, to be considered a human right. Ergo: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Internet and hot showers are not.

[Persnickety Polecat]

(05-17-2012 11:35 AM)C_Fresh Wrote:  Internet and hot showers are not.

Well, crap.

[RobMille]

Internet is definitely not a human right, but we're still spending billions rolling out fiber across the country to bring true broadband to rural communities (it's those big orange bails you've seen along various interstates & highways this spring).