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Originally Posted by paraclete  How do we know what they have in common with Christians or Baptists or anyoneelse for that matter but this is a deeply offensive act to Christians how can you say they should be permitted to do it. when you say most areas, I hope you are referring to the US and not the civilised world |
I definitely wouldn't go as far as saying that the US is not part of the civilized world even though you have trouble spelling worlds such as, colour and programme.
It is interesting how Australians and Americans see things so differently. A possible explanation could be found in the different way we view economic, political and religious freedom. I think Americans see economic freedom and religious freedom as, "ends in themselves" as opposed to, "a means to an end". It is of course possible for some objects of freedom to both at the same time.
Many contributors to discussions get upset whenever universal health care is mentioned. Clearly, the government wants universal health care as a way of meeting an agenda.
From what I have read so far the attack is not so much on the idea of universal health care, but rather an attack on economic freedom as an end in itself. To put this another way it is seen as an attack on the intrinsic value of economic freedom.
In a similar fashion, when someone wants to burn books; while strongly disagreeing with it, you are reluctant to do anything about it because to do so would intrude on this person/s right to religious freedom. In other words, the right to burn books so long as it does not do harm to others.
In Australia we don't see the need to protect freedoms so vigorously because we don't take the intrinsic value of freedom as seriously. Our constitution guarantees us very little.
It is against the law not to vote in elections. It is against the law to carry a gun. A gun is therefore seen as a privilege not a right. It is against the law not to wear a seat-belt, and numerous other restraints on individual freedoms. Except for the ones mentioned here you also have restraints as well but not as intrusive.
We don't necessarily see government intervention in any area of life as an attack on freedom. Most of us are not worried about our freedom because we know it is protected elsewhere in our system of checks and balances.
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