The right to believe what you choose comes with
the responsibility to allow another’s free choice.
The right to say what you want comes with
the responsibility to listen to another’s view.
The right to publish your own words comes with
the responsibility to enlighten another’s mind.
The right to live where you would comes with
the responsibility to live at peace with another.
The right to act on your convictions comes with
the responsibility to let others act on theirs.
The right to experience the joy of being alive comes with
the responsibility to respect the life of another.
When faith, speech, or action no longer respects the LIFE of another,
then it forfeits freedom and it must.
be.
stopped.
a poem in my pocket 
Mar 04, 2015 @ 01:54:14
Very well expressed – a creed for everyone.
Mar 03, 2015 @ 23:54:00
i suppose the secret to life is doing as one wills under golden rule value of loving and respecting others the same as one would want to be loved and respected well.. when one can put one’s self in shoes of others.. but rarely a perfect practice is that.. so the practice of love under human relative free will goes on to learn.. a lifetime of love..:)
Mar 03, 2015 @ 23:04:40
I think listening and understanding even things we don’t like is essential – so true ..
Mar 03, 2015 @ 22:26:46
Very interesting way to present your perspective here – thank you for joining in to my prompt.
Mar 03, 2015 @ 21:00:42
all tyranny depends on the suppression of free speech, which is why political correctness always scares me. Fine words!
Mar 03, 2015 @ 20:05:42
Excellent message! Well stated. With rights do come responsibilities. So many forget about the responsibilities as they demand the rights.
Mar 03, 2015 @ 19:46:08
I love everything you say here about respecting others’ rights. Sadly, I dont know if hatred and division CAN be stopped, it is so widespread. But we live in hope.
Mar 03, 2015 @ 17:43:25
Very true. With great power comes great responsibility. We are the power of our words and actions. I hope we will use that power to end hate.
Mar 03, 2015 @ 17:35:17
I so agree with you Lynn ~ How someone can say his point of view is the only truth while not listening and even killing the person opposing your view, is a liar & hypocrite ~ Thanks for sharing ~
Mar 03, 2015 @ 17:29:13
I think you’ve uncovered and outlined some very basic truths here, Lynn. There are no rights without responsibilities. Well thought-out.