I have a problem with government attempts to restrict people’s freedom to engage in activities that are not dangerous to other people. For example, I would not favor the outlawing of ‘adult beverages’ - however the government has a duty to prevent people from driving under the influence of alcohol. That is a clear danger to others. The real sticky problem that I see is when government makes restrictive rules based on something that is not so clearly a threat to others.

There is empirical data that demonstrates the danger of driving while intoxicated. There is no empirical data that says smokers are a danger to others. (I despise cigarettes, BTW!) Studies have not proven that second hand smoke is a danger to the health of others although it may be offensive in other ways. Smoking mothers or children exposed to chain-smoking parents are another matter – I am talking about smoking in restaurants or other establishments. I feel that smoking should be dealt with in the same way as obnoxious music - if you don’t like it, don’t go there! Restaurant owners will weigh the economics of the matter and make their own decisions about whether they can accommodate smokers or not. I feel confident that they will voluntarily become ‘smoke-free’ if enough people stop giving them money. This is how a free market should operate - without the government restricting the private property rights of the business owner.

At present, the government has demonstrated a willingness to jump in and regulate a number of things that violate private property rights. Consider this: what will happen to free speech if the government decides that preaching the Gospel is ‘narrow minded’ and a ‘hate crime?’ Recently my employer demanded that we sign a ‘no - harassment’ clause as a condition of continued employment. I had no problem with signing that document … I am all for religious liberty. And of course my employer was simply responding in a prudent way to avoid some future lawsuit.

Nevertheless, harassment may be defined in some very loose ways and who knows but sometime in the future reading aloud Jesus’ words, “No man can come to the Father but by me” will become a cause for discipline … or even a ‘crime against the state.’

Posted by Robin on Friday, May 30th, 2008 at 7:59 pm.