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| | + | [[File:W-pray.jpg|Right|200px|thumb|Recognition of the source of rights]] |
| | '''Unalienable rights''' are those which [[God]] gave to man at the [[Creation]], once and for all. By definition, since God granted such rights, governments could not take them away. In [[America]], this fundamental truth is recognized and enshrined in our nation's birth certificate, the ''[[Declaration of Independence]]'': | | '''Unalienable rights''' are those which [[God]] gave to man at the [[Creation]], once and for all. By definition, since God granted such rights, governments could not take them away. In [[America]], this fundamental truth is recognized and enshrined in our nation's birth certificate, the ''[[Declaration of Independence]]'': |
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| − | <blockquote> | + | <blockquote>"[A]ll men are created equal...[and] are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, [[Liberty]] and the pursuit of Happiness."</blockquote> |
| − | "[A]ll men are created equal...[and] are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, [[Liberty]] and the pursuit of Happiness."</blockquote> | |
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| | It is important to understand that the very premise of our nation is the fact that these [[rights]] are "[[God-given]]." If they are not given to us by an Authority higher than human [[government]], then any government action to abolish those rights would be against God's will. Rights that is subject to government restriction or [[license]] is called a [[privilege]] rather than a right. The [[Founding Fathers]] understood this principle and created a [[Republicanism|revolution]] in [[political theory]] by enacting, for the first time in [[history]], a government specifically established to protect the rights that had been given to man by God. | | It is important to understand that the very premise of our nation is the fact that these [[rights]] are "[[God-given]]." If they are not given to us by an Authority higher than human [[government]], then any government action to abolish those rights would be against God's will. Rights that is subject to government restriction or [[license]] is called a [[privilege]] rather than a right. The [[Founding Fathers]] understood this principle and created a [[Republicanism|revolution]] in [[political theory]] by enacting, for the first time in [[history]], a government specifically established to protect the rights that had been given to man by God. |
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| − | <blockquote> | + | <blockquote>"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> | |
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| | 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. | | 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. |