Because tomorrow is the 4th of
July and means a celebration of our Nation's birthday, today will see much made
in local gatherings [churches] about God AND Country. But as one I read said,
"We must be sure that while we are able to love BOTH, only the FORMER [God]
is to be worshipped." That is a sentiment with which I could not agree
more.
That said, I've found that a
mistake is often made when people talk about the Declaration of Independence of
the United States of America. That historic document DOES declare that all
Americans have certain UNALIENABLE rights among which are listed life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness. Unfortunately, the word often used when people
quote it is the word INALIENABLE, which is incorrect, but seldom realized as
so.
Before someone says they mean the
same thing and so the using of one or the other is insignificant, I would like
to point out that the difference that may seem ever so slight is actually
essential for an understanding of what the Framers of that Declaration intended
for our nation.
The word "unalienable"
refers to rights that are inherent in man and are rights that CANNOT be
surrendered, bought, or transferred. "Unalienable" rights are a gift
from the Creator to each individual and, as such, cannot be taken away for any
reason. The government cannot TAKE them
as the government did not PROVIDE them. In fact, the only responsibility the
government has toward "unalienable" rights is to SECURE them or to
create an environment that PROTECTS them.
This point was clearly stated in
a court ruling in 1892 entitled Budd vs People of the State of New York. That
ruling said, "Men are endowed by their Creator with certain
"unalienable" rights, 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;'
and it is to 'secure,' not grant or create these rights, for which governments
are instituted."
The list in the Declaration of Independence can be expanded since it says "among which are" and then lists life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We could add such things as self-government, self defense, nature's necessities of air, food, water, clothing and shelter as well as worship. Such rights are absolutely incapable of being transferred lawfully, unlawfully, privately or by implication or operation of law.
The list in the Declaration of Independence can be expanded since it says "among which are" and then lists life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We could add such things as self-government, self defense, nature's necessities of air, food, water, clothing and shelter as well as worship. Such rights are absolutely incapable of being transferred lawfully, unlawfully, privately or by implication or operation of law.
That which is your
"unalienable" right is a part of you in an absolute sense and could
no more be removed from you than could your blood be removed and you live
without it.
INALIENABLE [notice the change
only in the beginning letter] rights, on the other hand, CAN be surrendered,
sold, or transferred with the consent of the individual because they are NOT
inherent [unalienable] and the government CAN alienate these from an
individual, if a person consents, either actually or constructively, since the
government may be seen as the source of these individual rights.
Most State Constitutions refer to
only inalienable rights. But it is our UNALIENABLE RIGHTS to which our
Declaration of Independence addresses itself and recognizes them as given to us
by our Creator.
It could be that the loss of
recognition of our Creator is what is leading to the mistaken general use of
these two words in our modern day language. There may also be other factors involved.
But the point of this post is simply that people do have both, but they are not
the same at all. So, clearly, the words are not to be used as synonyms though
often is done so among otherwise intelligent people.
This 4th of July, 2016, we are
celebrating our Nation and her Declaration of Independence which declares and
her Constitution which preserves those UNALIENABLE rights! And I say, HAPPY
BIRTHDAY America! We love you!
But on this Lord's Day, July 3rd, 2016, we are celebrating our Living Lord Jesus, as we do EVERY DAY of our lives as Kingdom Kids, and I say, HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY Lord Jesus, on this day and every other day of our lives! We LOVE YOU AND WORSHIP YOU!!
Paul B.
