Rights And Freedoms
In the current climate of lockdowns, mandatory mask wearing, and double vaccination requirements, there has been a lot of talk about “freedoms” and “rights.” The two words are often used interchangeably. “I freely choose to not wear a mask and anyone who tries to compel me is violating my rights.” However, freedoms and rights are actually not the same thing. I would define freedom as our ability to do what we want and rights as the permission we have to do it, or not do it.
Where do rights or permissions come from? As I understand it, a right is given. A right exists when society agrees on what is acceptable behaviour for those who belong to it and grants permission to people to exercise their freedom within the constraints of what is deemed acceptable.
Of course, this can all go too far. Too much freedom results in chaos and anarchy where the strong trample over the weak and self-interest rules. At the other end of the spectrum, there are oppressive regimes where behaviour is so highly regulated that freedom of action, if not freedom of thought, disappears. However, given enough time, such societies either self-correct or self-destruct.
In a healthy society, there is a balance. Rights limit the exercise of freedom for some to ensure the freedom of others. It’s also appropriate for the balance to temporarily shift one way or the other in some circumstances. For example, in a time of threat like the one we’re experiencing at the moment, we accept greater limitations on our freedoms to serve the common good. To protect others, I have no problem with the requirement to wear a mask and be vaccinated.
To pick up on an earlier point, if rights are given, is there such a thing as an “inherent” or “inalienable” right? It’s an interesting question given that what we consider to be rights today are very different from what were held to be rights at other points in human history or in very different cultural contexts. The United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights reflects the contemporary view when it states, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” But if this is the case, what is the source of a right that transcends human history and culture? Who can give it? The only answer I have is God. The bible says, “God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). Our inherent equality comes from the fact that God has given us equal standing before him. That is his gift to humanity. And we experience that equality most perfectly when we are in relationship with Jesus. The bible goes on to say, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
Neil Percival
Where do rights or permissions come from? As I understand it, a right is given. A right exists when society agrees on what is acceptable behaviour for those who belong to it and grants permission to people to exercise their freedom within the constraints of what is deemed acceptable.
Of course, this can all go too far. Too much freedom results in chaos and anarchy where the strong trample over the weak and self-interest rules. At the other end of the spectrum, there are oppressive regimes where behaviour is so highly regulated that freedom of action, if not freedom of thought, disappears. However, given enough time, such societies either self-correct or self-destruct.
In a healthy society, there is a balance. Rights limit the exercise of freedom for some to ensure the freedom of others. It’s also appropriate for the balance to temporarily shift one way or the other in some circumstances. For example, in a time of threat like the one we’re experiencing at the moment, we accept greater limitations on our freedoms to serve the common good. To protect others, I have no problem with the requirement to wear a mask and be vaccinated.
To pick up on an earlier point, if rights are given, is there such a thing as an “inherent” or “inalienable” right? It’s an interesting question given that what we consider to be rights today are very different from what were held to be rights at other points in human history or in very different cultural contexts. The United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights reflects the contemporary view when it states, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” But if this is the case, what is the source of a right that transcends human history and culture? Who can give it? The only answer I have is God. The bible says, “God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). Our inherent equality comes from the fact that God has given us equal standing before him. That is his gift to humanity. And we experience that equality most perfectly when we are in relationship with Jesus. The bible goes on to say, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
Neil Percival