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"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of [[citizen|the governed]]." </blockquote>

"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of [[citizen|the governed]]." </blockquote>

According to the Founders, unalienable rights belong to each person by virtue of the fact that man is made in God’s image, and is therefore endowed with certain attributes, powers, [[freedom]]s, and [[legal]] protections as part of his essence. These rights are thus inseparable -- or unalienable -- from each person individually and from the human race in general. They are a gift from the Creator and it is impossible for government to alter or nullify mankind’s divine inheritance. Except in extremely rare and limited circumstances, the unalienable rights of a particular individual, or the population at large, cannot be suspended, [[abrogate]]d, or diminished by government. When government does take action against a particular right, it may only do so to the extent necessary to address a genuine concern for [[public safety]]. (See "Legitimate Exceptions" below.) Unalienable rights automatically belong to each individual at the moment his or her life begins and continue throughout that person’s time on earth.

According to the [[Founding Fathers|Founders]], unalienable rights belong to each person by [[virtue]] of the fact that man is made in God’s image, and is therefore endowed with certain attributes, powers, [[freedom]]s, and [[legal]] protections as part of his essence. These rights are thus inseparable -- or unalienable -- from each person individually and from the human race in general. They are a gift from the Creator and it is impossible for government to alter or nullify mankind’s divine inheritance. Except in extremely rare and limited circumstances, the unalienable rights of a particular individual, or the population at large, cannot be suspended, [[abrogate]]d, or diminished by government. When government does take action against a particular right, it may only do so to the extent necessary to address a genuine concern for [[public safety]]. (See "Legitimate Exceptions" below.) Unalienable rights automatically belong to each individual at the moment his or her life begins and continue throughout that person’s time on earth.

An exhaustive list of the unalienable rights possessed by man would probably fill several volumes which is why the [[Founding Fathers]] included the [[Ninth Amendment]] in the [[Bill of Rights]]. The '''Ninth Amendment''' to the [[United States Constitution]] states:

An exhaustive list of the unalienable rights possessed by man would probably fill several volumes which is why the [[Founding Fathers]] included the [[Ninth Amendment]] in the [[Bill of Rights]]. The '''[[Ninth Amendment]]''' to the [[United States Constitution]] states:

{{cquote|'''The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain [[Unalienable rights|rights]], shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.'''}}

{{cquote|'''The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain [[Unalienable rights|rights]], shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.'''}}

However, at a minimum they include the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The following items, derived from the American Bill of Rights, expand on these themes:

However, at a minimum they include the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The following items, derived from the American Bill of Rights, expand on these themes:

# To act in [[self-defense]] (personal, family, innocents, nation). ([[Second Amendment]])

# To act in [[self-defense]] (personal, [[family]], innocents, nation against [[tyranny]]). ([[Second Amendment]])

# To own and carry [[weapon]]s ([[firearms]]) for self-defense and for ensuring that the nation remains [[free]].  ([[Second Amendment]])

# To own and carry at [[home security|home]] and [[constitutional carry|in public]] [[weapon]]s ([[firearms]] and [[knife|knives]], etc.) for self-defense and for ensuring that the nation remains [[free]] against tyranny from enemies both [[foreign]] and [[police state|domestic]].  ([[Second Amendment]])

# To own and control [[private property]] (land, [[money]], personal items, [[intellectual property]], etc.)

# To own and control [[private property]] (land, [[money]], personal items, [[intellectual property]], etc.)

# To earn a living and keep the fruit of one’s labor.

# To earn a living and keep the [[profit|fruit]] of one’s labor.

# To freely [[migrate]] within the country or to leave the country.

# To freely [[migrate]] within the country or to leave the country.

# To worship -- or not worship -- God in the manner one chooses. ([[First Amendment]])

# To [[worship]] -- or not worship -- God in the manner one chooses. ([[First Amendment]])

# To associate with -- or disassociate from -- any person or group.  ([[First Amendment]])

# To associate with -- or disassociate from -- any person or group.  ([[First Amendment]])

# To express any idea through print, voice, banner, or other media.  ([[First Amendment]])

# To express any idea through print, voice, banner, or other media.  ([[First Amendment]])

== Early History in America ==

== Early History in America ==

The concept of unalienable rights in America extends as far back as 1620, when the first Pilgrims arrived on the shores of what is now [[Massachusetts]], in search of religious freedom. According to Governor William Bradford, it was the unending attack on the rights of religious minorities in [[Britain]] which convinced the [[Pilgrims]] that leaving [[England]] was the only way to secure their liberties:  

The concept of unalienable rights in America extends as far back as 1620, when the first Pilgrims arrived on the shores of what is now [[Massachusetts]], in search of religious freedom. According to Governor [[William Bradford]], it was the unending attack on the rights of religious minorities in [[Britain]] which convinced the [[Pilgrims]] that leaving [[England]] was the only way to secure their liberties:  

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Recent threats to our unalienable rights come mainly from the federal government.  Of late, they include:

Recent threats to our unalienable rights come mainly from the [[big government|federal government]].  Of late, they include:

* Hate Crime laws - Infringe on the right to think in a politically incorrect manner; they also give special rights and status to privileged groups.

* [[Hate crime|Hate Crime]] laws - Infringe on the right to think in a [[political correctness|politically incorrect]] manner; they also give special rights and status to privileged groups.

* McCain-Feingold law - Infringes on freedom of expression immediately before an election.

* [[McCain-Feingold]] law - Infringes on freedom of expression immediately before an [[election]].

* Fairness Doctrine - Infringes on the right of a person (or group) to express ''only'' what they believe.

* [[Fairness Doctrine]] - Infringes on the right of a person (or group) to express ''only'' what they believe.

* Executive Orders - Hundreds of directives issued by the President carrying the force of law, but not legislated by Congress.

* [[Executive Order]]s - Hundreds of directives issued by the [[President]] carrying the force of law, but not legislated by [[Congress]].

* The War on Terror - Military Tribunals / Denial of Habeas Corpus / Rendition / PATRIOT ACT / FISA Violations

* The [[War on Terror]] - Military Tribunals / Denial of [[Habeas Corpus]] / [[Rendition]] / [[Patriot Act|PATRIOT ACT]] / [[FISA]] Violations

* The War on Drugs - Asset Forfeiture Laws (permit the government to deprive someone of their property without due process.)

* The [[War on Drugs]] - [[Asset forfeiture|Asset Forfeiture]] Laws (permit the government to deprive someone of their [[property]] without [[due process]].)

* U.S. Supreme Court ''Kelo'' decision - Distortion of the power of eminent domain, allowing the government to take land which belongs to one private person or group, and give it to another.

* U.S. [[Supreme Court]] ''Kelo'' decision - Distortion of the power of [[eminent domain]], allowing the government to take land which belongs to one private person or group, and give it to another. See [[income redistribution]].

== Human Rights==

== Human Rights==

"Human rights" is often used interchangeably with the term "unalienable rights." The difference between these two concepts, however, is that unalienable rights are those authored by God. They are thus both irrevocable and nearly unlimited in scope. Man’s role is simply to discover and protect them.  

"[[Human rights]]" is often used interchangeably with the term "unalienable rights." The difference between these two concepts, however, is that unalienable rights are those authored by God. They are thus both irrevocable and nearly unlimited in scope. Man’s role is simply to discover and protect them.  

In the 20th century, secular concepts of human rights proliferated: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the American Convention on Human Rights; the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights; the European Convention of Human Rights; various UN conferences' declarations on the environment, economic development, AIDS, and other topics; and the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols.  

In the 20th century, [[secular]] concepts of human rights proliferated: the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]]; the American Convention on Human Rights; the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights; the European Convention of Human Rights; various [[United Nations]] conferences' declarations on the [[environment]], economic development, [[AIDS]], and other topics; and the [[Geneva Convention]]s and their additional protocols.  

The most well-known example of human rights is the United Nations 1948 '''[[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]]''' or '''UDHR'''. This document contains thirty articles listing about fifty rights authored and approved by the UN under the leadership of [[Eleanor Roosevelt]], among others. At the time the UN Declaration was ratified by its members, it was hailed by Americans as a major advancement in the cause of liberty.  

The most well-known example of human rights is the United Nations 1948 '''[[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]]''' or '''UDHR'''. This document contains thirty articles listing about fifty rights authored and approved by the UN under the leadership of [[Eleanor Roosevelt]], among others. At the time the UN Declaration was ratified by its members, it was hailed by Americans as a major advancement in the cause of [[liberty]].  

The Universal Declaration provides:

The Universal Declaration provides:

===India===

===India===

Deeply influenced by the UN's 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Indian constitution provides for a host of rights, including the right of equality, cultural and religious freedoms, and the right to education. Discrimination based on race, caste, gender, birthplace, and religion was subsequently outlawed. Yet, political and social realities have intruded. Because of India's multiplicity of religious and ethnic groups, each with their own traditions and beliefs, and the complex interplay between these groups, the principles contained in the constitution have not always been followed in practice.  

Deeply influenced by the UN's 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Indian constitution provides for a host of rights, including the right of equality, cultural and religious freedoms, and the right to education. Discrimination based on race, caste, gender, birthplace, and religion was subsequently outlawed. Yet, political and social realities have intruded. Because of India's multiplicity of religious and ethnic groups, each with their own traditions and beliefs, and the complex interplay between these groups, the principles contained in the constitution have not always been followed in practice.  

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

*  Burke, Roland. "From Individual Rights to National Development: the First UN International Conference on Human Rights, Tehran, 1968," ''Journal of World History'' 2008 19(3): 275-296, in [[EBSCO]]

*  Burke, Roland. "From Individual Rights to National Development: the First UN International Conference on Human Rights, Tehran, 1968," ''Journal of World History'' 2008 19(3): 275-296, in [[EBSCO]]

===Primary sources===

===Primary sources===

* UN. ''Human Rights: A Compilation of International Instruments - Vol. 1 pt. 1'' (2002) by Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Geneva; [http://www.questia.com/SM.qst?act=adv&contributors=Office%20of%20the%20United%20Nations%20High%20Commissioner%20for%20Human%20Rights%20Geneva&dcontributors=Office%20of%20the%20United%20Nations%20High%20Commissioner%20for%20Human%20Rights%20Geneva online edition]

* UN. ''Human Rights: A Compilation of International Instruments - Vol. 1 pt. 1'' (2002) by Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Geneva; [http://www.questia.com/SM.qst?act=adv&contributors=Office%20of%20the%20United%20Nations%20High%20Commissioner%20for%20Human%20Rights%20Geneva&dcontributors=Office%20of%20the%20United%20Nations%20High%20Commissioner%20for%20Human%20Rights%20Geneva online edition]

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