Controversial Issues: Our Rights as Humans

Being on HubPages, I noticed that controversial issues are the Hubs that gets the most views. Religion, politics, steamy books aka Fifty Shades of Grey. I wrote a Hub reviewing Fifty Shades a few days ago. I have been on HubPages for a little over two weeks now and my Fifty Shades Hubs has 200 views, 150 more views that the other Hubs. I was astonished by the turnout. I knew that the book is a very controversial book. After all, I wrote the Hub because I knew traffic would come to my profile.

So after writing that article, I knew that I should write another controversial article. This put me in a major writer's block because I have my opinions on many controversial debates: abortion, gay marriage, Obama, blah blah blah. The thing with all these debates are they worn out. People debate on this all the time bringing the same arguments to the table. It was just not original enough. So while sitting trying to figure out my next article (that was ready to be published), I thought about controversy. Why is it so popular? Why do humans like to argue? Most importantly, why do we always have to be right?

Is there a right or wrong to these debates? Most likely not, that is why it is so fun to argue. I find these debates not to argue, but present each side. We all have different beliefs, customs, and minds. As humans, we are gifted to form our own ideas and believe what we want to believe. We have the intellect to discern what is "right" and what is "wrong."

Is it "right" to attend church every Sunday? Is it "right" to wake up early? Is it "right" to have a house with children and a loving spouse?

Is it "wrong" to steal from a store? Is it "wrong" to murder someone? Is it "wrong" to kill your unborn child? It is "wrong" to love someone unconditionally that is the same gender and not in your family?

How do you define right or wrong?

The most basic of definitions is that doing something right is the correct way of doing things with a positive outcome for many.

While wrong is the incorrect way of doing things with a negative outcome to more than one person.

Yes, these definitions are vague, but that is exactly the point. There is really no way to get more in detail about what is "right" and what is "wrong." There are many common beliefs of what is the "right" thing to do.

For example, if you found money on the street, by society's view the "right" thing to do would be to turn it into the police. The "wrong" thing to do would be to keep it.

It is "right" to help a person in need. It is "right" to have a respectable job.

Depending on the culture, there is a similar view of right and wrong. In America, children under 18 smoking is frowned upon. While in smaller countries, I do not know specifically, there are children at the age of five smoking because that is part of the culture. So which one is right? Let the debate begin.

You could argue that the five year old children are ruining their lungs. This is supported by science. But those children and their elders can argue it is part of their ceremony to please their god. This is supported by their theology. You can say that science would win the argument as most times it does, but unless you actually can change the mind of the person you are debating with, no one wins.

As free thinking humans, we have the capability to discern what we believe is "right" and what is "wrong." We know that we should not break the law. We know hurting another person is not considered right.

With every action, there are consequences, good and bad.

Just like "right" and "wrong," "good" and "bad" are just as obscure. It all depends on the person.

I know that being an American citizen that I have a voice in my government. With hard work, dedication, help, and a network, I can change laws that I see are not "right." With like minded people, this could happen. Every day there is something new discovered in the world. It does not have to be life altering to everyone, but to one person. Someone finding religion. Someone seeing themselves for how they really look. It is these discoveries that change people.

Yes, it is cool when science finds a weird new species of fish, but I do not really care about that. I care about Jesus and God. I debate with my heart in those debates because I know that they are real. They are just outside of our knowledge like time and space.

But you see, I can debate this. I can debate against abortion and gay marriage because I can. That is our rights as humans. Our rights are the powers to think and express those views. We can change the mind of one person or the whole world.

You only live once. So debate your hearts out if that is what you like to do.

But another right as a human that we should have is respect. Respect the other's opinions. Actually listen to their argument. Put yourself in their shoes. You do not have to change your view, but this person is trying to make you understand their side.

Is it "wrong" to steal from a store?

What if the thief is a 13 year old boy stealing formula for his mother and new baby sister? What if this family has no money and lives in an abandon building? What if the father walked out when presented with a "better" life? Or what if the thief is the father, not the son?

Is it "wrong" to murder someone?

What if the murderer is a victim? What if the person they murdered murdered their husband? What if they murdered someone who was abusing them?

Is it "wrong" to kill your unborn child?

What if the girl cannot support the child? What if the child is causing more damage in the mother's life?

It is "wrong" to love someone unconditionally that is the same gender and not in your family?

How do you fight your emotions? The world is so full of people, so do we really need all these couples to keep the human race going?

So many "what ifs" and more to the story that this makes the "correct" answer impossible. Respect is the only way to have a healthy debate.