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By Harris R. Sherline April 7, 2008 Page 2 of 2 Schools have always been able to define the types of organizations that are permitted to hold meetings in their facilities or on their grounds or, for that matter, to even organize. But now, under the guise of keeping church and state separated, they go to such extremes as permitting clubs to organize celebrations like Kwanzaa or Witchcraft rituals while preventing Christian students from holding club meetings on school grounds. Or, how about the right of students to swear at others, including teachers, on school grounds? In some places vile language is considered acceptable, while prayer is not.
Do people have the right to demand that they be compensated for some perceived injustice, such as reparations for slavery? After failing to gain any traction with Congress, those who hold this view have been attempting to pursue claims against certain American corporations that were in business and profited from slavery at the time their ancestors were enslaved. They may have the right to try, but should they? Apparently, stopping at the other person's nose does not include corporate pockets. Generally, we have the right to decide what and how much we eat, but there are some people who feel we should not be permitted to eat meat or a diet that's high in carbohydrates or fat. Should they be allowed to determine what a proper diet should be for everyone else? Is obesity a disease or just lack of control? I suppose it can be either or, depending on the circumstances, but who's to say? So, for some people it appears that it's just too bad if my "nose," as in my dietary choices, happens to get in the way of someone else's notion of what's good for me. Rights can be measured on a continuum, ranging from not having any rights to absolute, unrestricted and uncontrolled rights to do or say anything, that is, anything to anyone, anytime, anywhere. But, unlimited rights eventually reach the point where they become license. By license, I mean the unrestricted freedom to say or do anything we please, regardless of whose "nose' gets in the way. Is that what we want? In the final analysis, rights are really more about self-control than they are about laws or regulation or the constitution. You may have, or think you have, the right to say or do whatever you please, but that doesn't always mean you should, law or no law. --- NOTE: Read more of Harris Sherline's commentaries on his blog at "opinionfest.com." -------------------- Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA. >> Back -- Page 1 2
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