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[GhettoDogAllStars]

Originally Posted by JWsleep

I agree that it's hard to agree on the rights people have, and how to justify those rights. But even if there are rights, you can forfeit your rights in some situations. A murderer, by their choice, forfeits their rights. That may not entail the death penalty--that's a question of appropriate punishment--but it might. With rights come responsibilities. If you don't fulfill those responsibilities, you can lose your rights.

About which rights are basic--as the Declaration of Independence says, "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." That works for me. From there it's a matter of debate, though I'm partial to much of the Bill of Rights. But there's no easy answers in these things--don't get discouraged!

Yes, I know exactly what you're saying. That's all well and good for Constitutional Rights. However, Human Rights cannot be forfeited. By definition, they are inalienable, meaning they are not granted to you by another and cannot be taken (or given) away.

I'm sure we could get people to agree on Human Rights, if they think they can take them away for good reasons. What's difficult is getting people to agree on rights which can NEVER be taken away -- for any reason whatsoever.