Terahertz

I agree completely with Sarah Stead from last week’s Gateway.

Specifically, I appreciated this quote:

Any time you ask a majority of people to vote on the rights of a minority, especially when religion is involved, the minority doesn’t stand a chance.

Her article references Proposition 8 from California, a proposition which passed and denied gays and lesbians equal access to state-sanctioned marriages. However, the same statement rings true for any case of minority or secular rights.

Many have claimed in Gateway or other letters that things like the convocation charge should simply be “put to a vote” and let the majority decide.

Yet, surprisingly, this isn’t how a democracy works.

Democracy requires equal voicing of all opinions, and then informed debate, compromise and decision based on what’s most desirable for all constituents. Without the ability for equal voicing, the majority will crush the minority and rights of the minority will fade and disappear.

These ideas are collectively known as tyranny of the majority, and once you fail to protect all minority rights, you’re country loses its ability to proclaim itself a “free, democratic nation.” But that’s never been synonymous with a “Christian nation” now, has it?

Related posts:

1. Alumni are upset
2. Support equal rights in California
3. An important document
4. Obligatory US election post
5. An unpublishable reply