November 23, 2004
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Democracy and Freedom:
I work in an office of 27 people. Out of those 27 people, there is only one other person who happens to be registered to the same political party I’m registered too. Since I live in the heart of
We were talking the other day about Democracy and Freedom and what those words actually mean. This came up because my fellow employees were talking about the fact that we were bringing freedom to the people of
In reality it seems my friends believe in freedom and democracy for everyone as long you’re a middle or upper class, Anglo-Saxon, Christian, who holds a particular set of values. Now, that may seem a bit harsh. It isn’t, however, if you take the time to define what democracy really means.
There is movie called “The American President.” While this movie may be a light romantic comedy, the “president” gives a speech about democracy that may be the most concise and intelligently written monologue I’ve ever heard on the subject. This is basically what he says (I’m paraphrasing): “Democracy is hard. You’ve got to really want it because it will fight you at every turn. To say that you believe in Democracy you have to be willing to support the right of a person to preach at the top of his lungs a value that you would spend the rest of your life opposing at the top of your lungs. (As an example he references a proposed constitutional amendment banning flag burning) This is why the flag cannot just be symbol. It has to also be a testament to a person’s right to burn that symbol in protest. Even though that may make your blood boil you cannot say that you are celebrating freedom until you’re willing for that to happen.”
I think that the point my friends don’t grasp is that the laws that protect the rights of people different than they are to express and practice their values are the same laws that protect their right to express and practice their own values. My friends want to legislate away the rights of those that they disagree with, are afraid of, or feel threatened by. You can’t have it both ways. History teaches us that when one group within a society begins to force the rest of the society to adopt their values, that society is destined to crumble or, worse yet, commit atrocities in the name of whatever belief system they function under. People who want to take away the rights of those they disagree with simply don’t understand, from an historical perspective, how easily their own rights could be taken away.
Here is my definition of democracy:
Do you feel abortion is wrong? (Even as a Democrat, I happen to agree) Then you have a moral obligation to preach that from your pulpits, to educate your children, and to convince everyone you can that you are right. If you succeed you have effected societal change. But don’t try and legislate it away because you can’t have it both ways.
Do you oppose gay marriage? Then that same moral imperative applies. But don’t try to legislate it away because you can’t have it both ways.
Do you want prayer in schools? Fine, but you’d better be willing for a Muslim to pray as well. You can’t have it both ways.
Do you want the Ten Commandments posted in every courtroom? Great, but you’d better be willing for excerpts from the Koran to be posted next to it. You can’t have it both ways.
True democracy is messy. It makes us uncomfortable, and it makes us look beyond our isolated world view and see the world from someone else’s perspective. Is it worth it? I think so.
Comments (1)
Hmmm, different ideologies? Don’t be too sure. . .I agree with everything you have said in this post!! AAhhhh, It’s lovely being able to defy stereotypes!! Pop in and visit again, perhaps you can shatter a stereotype I have.