Concerning “Concerning Slavery”
The previous post, as I’m sure most have surmised, does not represent my views concerning slavery. The argument was offered to point out the absurdity of what falls from the lips of certain politicians, especially around election time. How many times have we heard the candidate explain that he/she personally is against abortion, but does not think it is appropriate to impose their personal views on others. John Kerry, for example, admitted that he believed life began at conception and that abortion is wrong, but he could not impose his own views on others. So, let’s get this right…I believe that the fetus is a human life and it is immoral to take an innocent human life. However, if you think it is moral, that’s okay!
To believe something is to take that proposition as being true. A belief is not some nebulous entity which has no meaning. For example, if I believe that it is raining outside, I will take an umbrella to protect myself from the rain. I believe it really is raining. If one believes that abortion is the taking of an innocent human life, he really believes that it is so. Do these politicians and other ordinary Americans realize the absurdity of their statement? “I believe this is immoral, but if you want to believe it is moral, go ahead. It would be wrong for me to impose my sense of morality on you.”
I know of no one (there may be some) who would agree with my argument concerning slavery. If it is immoral for one human being to own another human being as property, it is immoral. It’s not moral for me and immoral for you. If you believe it is immmoral for me to torture children for fun, but I believe it is moral to do so, am I justified in my actions? According to Kerry, (by the way, there are Republican politicians to make similar statements so this is not anti-Democrat) I have no right to stop someone else from doing something I feel is immoral if they feel otherwise. So…let’s bring back slavery!
No, let’s not! Let’s be honest about our beliefs. And if we believe something, let’s stand up for it. Those who take the abortion stance previously discussed either lie about their beliefs or must be willing to allow any action by any individual as long as he thinks it is moral.