Comments:

thefairlaner - 2004-05-18 12:35:43
You're right, it is important to stand up for you values. However, that can sometimes mean as simple a statement as "I disagree". It is not neccessary to preach to those who can't be converted and it is not always a good idea to join organizations that may hold your values in one area but not in others (I cancelled my NRA membership years ago for this reason). You have to stand up for your beliefs but you have to be careful about how you do it. The best statement I've heard to that effect is "Never fail to pass moral judgement". This means, when in a situation that calls for it, that you must state your beliefs and your disagreement with the opposing belief. You'd be surprised how many minds you can get thinking just doing that. As to action in terms of marches, protests, etc. I often have trouble with these as the groups involved are often seeking to use a government gone to forcibly change the minds of their opposition (in some cases, the force is more direct such as the anti-globalization rioters and the animal rights activists who throw blood or fake blood on those wearing fur...this is an obvious attempt at intimidation which is another type of force initiation). So yes, you're right, but you have to be careful how you defend your values. You can inadvertently betray them in their defense.
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