On Freedoms

"You can only protect your liberties in this world by protecting the other man's freedom."

This is a quote from Clarence Darrow, an American lawyer from the late-18/early-1900s. In light of the whole hulabaloo over the cartoons in Danish newspapers, his assertion is even more applicable than it was before.

Typically, westerners would look at this quote and conclude that if Muslims wanted us to respect their religion, they should start by respecting our culture. If they weren't attacking institutions indicative of western values and ideals, we wouldn't be bothering them about their religion. Therefore, they should stop burning flags and sending suicide bombers into marketplaces if they want respect from us.

I say that's all fine and dandy, unless you consider yourself a Christian.

Christians, if we truly wish to be like Christ, are called to think of others ahead of ourselves. If we really do that, we'll inevitably also think of others' rights ahead of our own. In that case, it's our responsibility to respect the freedom of religion of Muslims before expecting them to respect our freedom of expression.

In general, that is one of the problems I see in society today. Rights, and our mentality that we have to protect our rights at all costs. But, for those who want to protect their rights and freedoms, I refer you back to the beginning of this entry. The only way to ensure your rights is to first make sure you protect the rights of others.

Therefore, when another person infringes on your rights, don't respond by retaliating and violating one of theirs. Rather, continue to protect their rights, thereby convincing them to respect yours.