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That's a profound question. One thing's for sure: It doesn't come from a big sky god. But then what is the source? George Carlin made a routine of reminding people that they have no rights except what the people in power grant the masses. But I would say those rights are granted by government because the masses demand them.
I'm interested in reading other people's thoughts on this.
Try reading the Constitution of the United States of America.
It actually makes much better sense than a drugged out stand up comedian, unless of course you think this country is a comedy routine . . . Hey, maybe it is, since we now have a Communist President.
You're talking about the Constitution written by slave owners who were denying countless people their rights?
You might try entering this debate with civility and reason.
Yea don't toot your horn there buddy. I know you like to point to white people and be like oh they were slaveowners, but the fact of the matter is that slavery still exists today, and every race takes part in it.
And your point is? Read the discussion thread again and tell me how your comment relates to the question, What is the main source of human rights?
I've read the entire discussion thread. The fact of the matter is that the constitution that was written by "slave-owners" which may or may not be true, laid the framework for free rights. The United States was and still is the leading source for human rights. Other countries followed us.
Actually, the U.S. Constitution was based on previous works. It wasn't made out of whole cloth. Guys like Locke, Plato and Socrates provided the basis for the concept of human rights. Now, do you have any ideas on the origin of human rights? Do they come from God or governments or what?
I think it comes from humans ability to first individualize ourselves and then having empathy. In other words, human rights does not come from laws written down on paper, it comes from our emotions.
The constitution is a living document, and the supreme body of the law.
You have no idea what you're talking about.
You're living in the past. Everyone is equal now in the United States, because the constitution says so. Whether or not the people follow it is up to them, but they will be punished because of it.
God created everyone equal but since God is on the down-low right now, the government had to step up and tell them that.
Hilarious! Read Sal's comment, Jared. He's actually making a thoughtful contribution to the discussion. You still haven't.
Just saying that doesn't go toward answering the question, What is the main source of human rights.
Oh, so it's the great big guy in the sky? Join the reality-based world, Jared.
And do notice that the original question wasn't about the United States. It's about the rights of humans, not just Americans.
Tell me, Jared, what makes you qualified on this subject? What makes you think you know what you're talking about?
Myself, I have a four-year degree in political science.
No ideas on the source of rights? Well, here are some more thoughts.
When papadawg pointed to the U.S. Constitution and I pointed out how the people who wrote it denied rights to great masses of humans, I thought my point was clear: PEOPLE – granted rights to some and denied rights to others. So the source of human rights is human, not a god and not a piece of paper. Somebody had to write the Constitution, after all.
I thought I was entering a serious discussion, not an exercising in flag-waving.
Don't make me laugh. Pulling out a 4-year political science degree. Political Science is my minor. It wasn't good enough to be my major.
I think I may have hit a soft spot huh Stimp? lol HAHAHAHAHA
Well America pretty-much calls the shots and influences every other country.
Why are you discussing this issue as if it is an American issue only? Human rights is a global issue. The U.S. Constitution was written to create the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the U.S. government and it protects only the citizens of the United States.
The United Nations Human Rights Council is trying to promote human rights around the world, but it is not going to be easy. Along with human rights come responsibilities. As long as man continues in its inhumanity to man, there will never be universal human rights. Human rights is not in human nature.
I've got 2 Political Science classes tomorrow. Take the next flight in to New York City, maybe you can drop in for a few minutes or so.
"America calls the shots." Not much of an argument on an epistemological question. In fact, not useful at all.
Just because you can't understand something doesn't mean the other person doesn't know what he's talking about. "Hit a soft spot"? What are you, 12?
Keep going to those classes, Jared. You have a lot to learn.
"God created everyone equal". Any evidence to back that up?
"God is on the down-low". How do you know? What makes you say that?
"… the government had to step up and tell them that. " Sounds like you're conceding that the main source of rights is people, not God.
Reverse the numbers in the age you think I am. I understand clearly what you're talking about. I think I had your view when I was say…4th grade…no wait, 5th. I was in the pool at the time, getting ready to go to basketball practice.
I turned my computer speakers up to full-blast but I don't hear anything. I'm reading, if that's what you meant.
All countries have a living document like the United States, except those little crappy countries no one really cares about. People are going to break the rules once and a while, you can't do anything about it.
Do I really? What I do know is that if you are a good public speakers and know people, you can be the next President. I think that's all you really need to know.
If human rights must be defines then some are always lost in the translation. Common sense dicates and defines them and complex explanations only confuse and limit them. A rational man knows what they are and only a fool need ask!
So what would be considered common sense to you on this matter?
Excellent point, Josie.
Jared, are you listening?
The Constitution doesn't "grant rights" so your entire premise is flawed. The Constitution keeps the government from running slipshod over the people.
My rights come form two things:
1) I have a gun
2) I'm willing to defend my rights.
Any questions?
Stimp,
Your comments are written like a true Atheistic Communist. You deny the God given rights of Man and laud the so-called Man given rights to Man all the while denying what the United States of America is all about.
Our entire history – (yes, stimp ole buddy, the U.S. DOES have a history) – is thick with us fighting for those God given human rights. We fight about them more among ourselves than anyone else in this world, and that fact renders your communist rantings useless.
Remember that most Holidays are around religious beliefs, and the Atheist only has one Holiday . . . . . . . April First.
Just my not-so-humble opinion. B)