Beliefs vs. behaviors
I do not think people should force their beliefs on others. That would be antagonism. Influence is the only way to create positive change. However, I also believe that people should not force their behaviors upon others. Let’s say for instance that smokers were the majority. (Who knows the stats? They just might be!) Simply being the majority doesn't mean authority over the rights of others. If that were the case there would still be slavery, sexism, and a lot of other liberty/freedom issues (not that the ones I've mentioned have been resolved.) I know that second hand smoke has an effect on my sister's ability to breath. She has asthma. It simply gives me a headache when I am forced to be around it. People have the right to smoke, but people smoking around my sister in a public place would literally trigger an asthma attack. This is a violation of her rights and it would be nice if people voluntarily respected those rights. Some do, most don't. In fact, it is not uncommon for a smoker to unconsciously flick a cigarette on the ground anywhere he or she chooses, including my front yard if they happen to be paving a driveway or trimming some trees. And then there is a person’s plain old right not to be subjected to second hand smoke. It has gotten somewhat better (due to laws, I think), but I also know a lot of people who smoke in their own homes to the detriment of their children's health. I was one of the kids who went to school smelling like and ashtray because my father smoked inside. Whose rights take precedence in this case? Does a child have the right not to be subjected to second hand smoke, or should parents have the right to do as they please because it is a free country? See! The whole issue gets convoluted and tricky. So then whose responsibility is it to protect these rights? Me and my gun? A social organization? The government? Nobody? We all want our freedom, but the government getting involved to protect people’s rights limits the perceived rights of others. I mean, shouldn’t I be able to smoke on my own property as I see fit? After all, it IS my property? I worked for it! I earned it! It’s mine! I am mostly playing devils advocate. I am an advocate of freedom and personal responsibility. What do you all think? I don't know what the answer is. Mutual respect all around is the only answer as I see it, but that hasn't universally occurred in the history of the world.
