But if they are god given they apply t all humanity, Constitution or not!
Are you claiming extra-Constitutional protections for all based on "Divine" right, regardless of nationality, Counselor?
But if they are god given they apply t all humanity, Constitution or not!
But if they are god given they apply t all humanity, Constitution or not!
It is no more moral to beat a chimp to death as it is another human.
Morality is subjective. That is evident from this forum alone, much less taking a world view of morality.
Good for you in supporting the concept of natural rights. You may well have your personal definition of what that means, but you will not find any sort of consensus on a large scale.
You and I will agree that Trump is a walking lump of human feces, but you'll find many, just on this forum alone, that think he's the best thing since sliced bread. (Back to the subjective nature of that morality thing)
Why does consensus matter? Anyway, I would guess, a large majority believes people have basic rights.
So would you say to those that argued for the idnividual rights of blacks, women, homosexuals, etc. that they had none and should not make such normative statements because morality is subjective.
Frankly, I think there is a paradox for those on the left who argue there is no such thing as natural rights while maintaining that the rights of individuals should be expanded for formerly/currently oppressed groups. Further, with this cold argument that the only rights that exists are those recognized by the state does it even matter that immigrants do have rights under our laws, if the authorities refuse to recognize them?
Without the concept of natural rights liberty and freedom are doomed. It's a nihilistic rejection of moral premises for government which will lead to fascism.
The proof of natural rights is in the pudding. They work and are effective in establishing a just society.
It is odd that the adherents of natural rights can’t identify exactly what they are. Nor can they demonstrate they are universal, which, by definition, they are required to be.
The rights of those individuals DO need to be expanded, but that is done by legislation.
Nope, liberty and freedom are fine without the existence of natural rights. And morality no more needs natural rights than it needs a creator.
I have identified what they are. Again, it's a normative statement not a positive one. I can not put it on display. I can only give my arguments for why they should be recognized.
It's interesting that the opponents of natural rights fail to answer how they would argue for any rights of the oppressed without making normative statements. Why should I support legislation to expand the rights of those groups and on what basis do you claim they have rights? Without a normative statement the only argument is a threat of force.
Please give an example of where in this world you detect liberty and freedom without a concept that argues that humans have rights. Such a place does not exist, never has and never will.
Sorry, but a society and government cannot be run, and law cannot be enforced with "normative statements". Thta's the problem with natural rights adherents. They can't define exactly what those rights are.
Why should you support expansion of rights? Answer that question for yourself. You either do or you don't and will vote accordingly, won't you?
The codified Constitution and BofR demand equal treatment under the law. Legislation, in the form of civil rights laws, identifies which groups are protected from certain types of discrimination. Threat of force? Of course. What are you dependent on with your "natural rights"? The "natural" good will of people? Look at this forum. Good luck with that. A good portion believe anything other than a white, Christain male is a lesser being.
BTW, you're confusing the word opponent for one who does not accept the concept of natural rights.
Give me an example of ANY natural right, anywhere, that is universal in this world. But first, you actually have to identify one.
Like this?
Obama told an audience in El Paso that deportation of immigrants would focus on “violent offenders and people convicted of crimes; not families, not folks who are just looking to scrape together an income.”
Two weeks ago, however, the Department of Homeland Security released a report that flatly belies the new policy.
From January to June 2011, Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed 46,486 undocumented parents who claimed to have at least one child who is an American citizen.
In contrast, in the entire decade between 1998 and 2007, about 100,000 such parents were removed. The extraordinary acceleration in the dismantling of these families, part of the government’s efforts to meet an annual quota of about 400,000 deportations, has had devastating results.
Research by the Urban Institute and others reveals the deep and irreversible harm that parental deportation causes in the lives of their children. Having a parent ripped away permanently, without warning, is one of the most devastating and traumatic experiences in human development.
These children experience immediate household crises, starting with the loss of parental income. The harsh new economic reality causes housing and food insecurity. In response to psychological and economic disruptions, children show increased anxiety, frequent crying, changes in eating and sleeping patterns, withdrawal and anger.
In the long run, the children of deportation face increased odds of lasting economic turmoil, psychic scarring, reduced school attainment, greater difficulty in maintaining relationships, social exclusion and lower earnings. The research also exposes major misconceptions about these parents.
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/21/opinion/deporting-parents-ruins-kids.html
My dad is 80. He has “children”
Get some facts.
He didn't. His party is tearing crying south american and mexican babies from their mommies.
Has "god" allegedly told you that immigrants should enjoy the legal rights, responsibilities, and benefits the Constitution gives American citizens, Brad?
Of course rights come from the government. God didn't give rights to blacks, slave, women or sharecroppers until 100 years ago.
You really are dumber than a rock. 
Rights come from God not the Government.
Immigrants don’t have the same rights as Americans!

It's not a problem at all because no one has suggested that laws should be enforced with normative statements. They should (and are in free and prosperous societies) be based on those norms.
I have defined exactly what they are. Here it is again, natural rights are rights that are not dependent on the law. They are universal.
Again, to say something is a natural right is to make a normative statement not a positive one. For that one would say it is a legal right. But both are abstract concepts.
That does not mean it cannot or has not been defined. It has been, repeatedly. Time to move on with debate.
Your response to why I should vote for the expansions of rights is nothing but a copout and attempt to evade the fact that the true support for these expansions of rights is based on social norms or appeals to morality. The only other choice is force or maybe you can appeal to self interest, but unless one is a member of those groups that's a tough sell.
The constitution and bill of rights are premised on natural rights arguments or normative statements about individual rights and would have long been shredded without those notions being popular.
Your argument is that there is no moral statement that is superior to the notion that only white Christian males should enjoy liberty or legal rights. I stronlgy disagree.
What does it mean to not accept the concept while not being an opponent? The only way to hold such a position is with strawman nonsense about natural rights.
Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness. But you don't seem to understand what it suggests to say that these are universal natural rights. Again, it is not a positive statement. It's a normative statement claiming that individuals possess these rights regardless of the law. It does not mean that all are free to enjoy these right but that they should be free to enjoy these rights.
[h=1]Governor Cuomo announces intent to file multi-agency lawsuit against Trump administration[/h]Source: Press release, State of New York
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced New York State intends to file a multi-agency lawsuit against the Trump Administration on the grounds that the federal government is violating the Constitutional rights of thousands of immigrant children and their parents who have been separated at the border. We now know of more than 70 children who are staying in federal shelters in New York State and that number is expected to increase as other facilities are contacted. The Governor is directing the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Department of Health and the Office of Children and Family Services to commence legal action against the federal government's "Separation of Families" policy. Following the callous and inhumane treatment of immigrant families at the border, New York is suing to protect the health and well-being of children being held at least 10 different facilities across the state and at others throughout the nation.
"The Trump Administration's policy to tear apart families is a moral failing and a human tragedy," Governor Cuomo said. "We will not tolerate the Constitutional rights of children and their parents being violated by our federal government. New York will act and file suit to end this callous and deliberate attack on immigrant communities, and end this heartless policy once and for all."
The Governor announced that New York plans to sue the federal government for:
Violating the Constitutional Rights of Children and Families
Parents are being separated from their children at the border as a result of the Trump Administration's new "zero tolerance" prosecution of the minor federal offense of improper entry into the country. In prior administrations, families who appeared with children at the border would be processed together and released with a date to appear in court. Now, parents, many of whom are seeking to protect their children and families from gang violence, are being systematically detained, separated from their children, and, in some cases, deported with no meaningful opportunity to participate in making decisions concerning the care and custody of their children. Yet these parents are still afforded rights under the United States Constitution to familial integrity and to decide to exercise their parental rights in New York State.
Read more: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/go...i-agency-lawsuit-against-trump-administration
@ Cuomo. Biggest moron within the Democratic Party of the Jackass. I hope MORE Democratic leaders join him so Americans can see just how pathetic, repugnant and stupid the party has become.
[h=1]Willie Nelson's plea to "Christians everywhere" on immigration[/h]Source: CBS News
Music legend and Texas native Willie Nelson is speaking out about the immigration controversy currently unfolding in his state and other stretches along America's southern border.
Under the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy, anyone suspected of crossing the border illegally faces criminal prosecution. Children traveling with adults are being separated from their families and placed into shelters. The Department of Homeland Security said Friday that nearly 2,000 children have been separated over a six-week period, a practice that many leaders in both parties have criticized as "inhumane."
"What's going on at our southern border is outrageous," Nelson said in a statement Thursday, first reported by Rolling Stone Country. "Christians everywhere should be up in arms. What happened to 'Bring us your tired and weak and we will make them strong?' This is still the promise land," Nelson said.
<snip>
Nelson's appeal to Christians seemed intended as a rebuttal to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who defended the policy on biblical grounds. Sessions said last week, "I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained them for the purpose of order."
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/willie...r-christians-everywhere-should-be-up-in-arms/
Sessions is taking it from all sides, from the Methodist Church to Willie.![]()
You prove my point with your vague statement: "Here it is again, natural rights are rights that are not dependent on the law. They are universal." Unable to provide an example of a universal right.
You're correct, expansion of rights is based on social norms and social norms are ever-changing. Nothing universal about that. Nor "natural".
The Constitution and BofR may well be premised on what you say, but they carry ZERO weight without their codification. Zilch. Nada. There are no rights without the law. Pure and simple.
You miscomprehend my statement about white Christian males. Better reread it and, while you're there, reread the posts of the racist white "Christian" males on this forum. Try to digest what their concept of a "natural" right is.
Let's be clear on the concept of acceptance vs. opposition. It's not that difficult. I do not accept your concept of your god, whatever that may be. However, I do not oppose you worshipping that god. Comprende?
*SIGH*