Subject:
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Re: One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Wed, 3 Jul 2002 18:48:00 GMT
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Viewed:
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3725 times
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, John Neal writes:
> In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Simon Bennett writes:
>
> > That leads me to an interesting conclusion - a state born from the US could
> > improve on the mistakes made in 1776-89. Is there one? Well funnily enough
> > yes. Liberia.
>
> > Over to you John to prove, based only on the laws of that country, that
> > Liberians are less free than citizens of the US.
> >
> > Simon
>
> Thank you Simon, for bringing up Liberia. Any nation whose Constitution
> guarantees the freedoms of its people deserves to be included among the
> greatest nations on earth. The table is set for that country-- the
> possibilities for them are endless...
>
> I was browsing their Constitution (thanks for the link, Dave!) and I found 2
> interesting things WRT your comment that they "improved" upon the US
> Constitution.
>
> First, Article 14:
>
> All persons shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
> and no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment thereof except as may be
> required by law to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the
> fundamental rights and freedoms of others. All persons who, in the practice of
> their religion, conduct themselves peaceably, not obstructing others and
> conforming to the standards set out herein, shall be entitled to the protection
> of the law. No religions denomination or sect shall have any exclusive
> privilege or preference over any other, but all shall be treated alike; and no
> religious tests shall be required for any civil or military office or for the
> exercise of any civil right. Consistent with the principle of separation of
> religion and state, the Republic shall establish no state religion.
>
> Sounds a lot like our 1st Amendment. But here's the interesting part. Check
> out their preamble:
>
> We the People of the Republic of Liberia:
>
> Acknowledging our devout gratitude to God for our existence as a Free,
> Sovereign and Independent State, and relying on His Divine Guidance for our
> survival as a Nation;
>
> Realizing from many experiences during the course of our national existence
> which culminated in the Revolution of April 2, 1980, when our Constitution of
> July 26, 1847 was suspended, that all of our people, irrespective of history,
> tradition, creed or ethnic background are of one common body politic;
>
>
> Exercising our natural, inherent and inalienable rights to establish a
> framework of government for the purpose of promoting unity, liberty, peace,
> stability, equality, justice and human rights under the rule of law, with
> opportunities for political, social, moral, spiritual and cultural advancement
> of our society, for ourselves and for our posterity; and
>
>
> Having resolved to live in harmony, to practice fraternal love, tolerance and
> understanding as a people and being fully mindful of our obligation to promote
> African unity and international peace and cooperation,
>
>
> Do hereby solemnly make, establish, proclaim and publish this Constitution for
> the governance of the Republic of Liberia.
>
>
> It is extremely interesting to me that they can acknowledge God and yet at the
> same time assert that the government shall establish no religion.
>
> -John
And I guess that's also the point here--the gov't can say, 'Yes, we as a
nation believe there's a God, but the individuals in the nation can believe
whatever they please' and do this without having a 'State Run Religion'.
Anywho, this has been a most interesting discussion and I am reminded once
again that the people here are very intelligent and have the ability to find
data and info to enhance their POV.
Nicely done.
Dave
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