Individual rights versus communal rights is a topic that has been on my mind lately.

The one that challenges me quite a bit personally is forcing people with mental health challenges to take medication. On the one hand, when someone who has challenges is medicated, they make better decisions, especially when it comes to societal norms. On the flip side, we are taking away their freedom to choose how to live. This is also an issue when it comes to homelessness; for the community, it’s definitely better to help house people, yet some people would like to continue being homeless.

Can you imagine if we were forced to observe a certain religion, or we didn’t have the freedom to observe one of our choosing? Yet on the other hand, imagine that we are children and we have the choice whether to go to school, or whether to run in the street or not.

By and large, I absolutely believe in free choice and less governmental involvement—especially with regards to our individual rights. At the same time, I believe we need law and order, or the mayhem would be horrible.

Collective safety is extremely important. Protecting the weak, helping the elderly, the infirm, and those with less than us is a communal obligation.

The truth is, on the issue of homelessness and forced medication, I’m stumped. I can argue both vantage points.

I think we need to have these discussions, ask these questions, and make sure we consider our safety and others.

Please share with me your thoughts and guidance.

This week, I will choose to seek safety for those I love, while doing my best to make sure I provide the environment for people to have the freedom to choose.

Accountability, Community, Unconditional Love

Asher

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Posted in Thought of the Week