T
The Bellman
Guest
In a few threads on here lately, I've seen discussion as to whether or not Christianity should be a state religion, and whether or not a Christian theocracy would be a desirable thing. Such a discussion, of course, leads to questions as to what laws would be desirable. I'd like to see people's opinions on the following:
If you had the power to make and repeal whatever laws you wanted, what laws would you make, and what laws would you repeal? Why?
I'll start the ball rolling by listing a few of the laws I'd change if I could...
1. Repeal all laws relating to 'indecent exposure' and public nudity.
I believe laws forbidding a person to be naked when and where they want are an infringement of personal freedom.
2. Repeal all laws relating to ages of sexual consent. Instead, make it illegal to have sexual contact with a child (ie., pre-pubescent).
I believe the age of consent concept is inherently flawed. The idea that a person overnight becomes 'legal' is ridiculous. Similarly, the idea that a person below a certain age cannot give informed consent is ludicrous. The fact is that some adolescents are sufficiently mature and developed to give such consent and have sex. Obviously, some are not - but they are not compelled to do so.
3. Repeal all laws concerning spouses. Abolish marriage as a state-recognised institution. Instead, create a state-maintained list of next-of-kin whereby persons could register who they want to be considered their next-of-kin for all purposes. Treat people in relationships as single people for tax purposes.
I find the state-recognised marriage concept to be archaic and of little use. Removing it entirely would prevent further discrimination against homosexuals and put everyone on an equal footing. Of course, nothing in this legislation would prevent marriage; it would merely stop state recognition of such.
4. Repeal all laws regarding male responsibility for offspring. Create a state-registered 'agreement to parent' whereby n people (of any gender) can register to be parents of a child (before or after its birth). These parents are individually responsible for the child financially and legally until it comes of age. This agreement cannot be rescinded without consent of all parents on the agreement. In the absence of such an agreement, the mother is responsible for the child financially and legally until it comes of age; the father is responsible for half the medical expenses incurred by the pregnancy/abortion/birth only.
This is an attempt to create a more reasoned framework for parental responsibility. Currently, a man can be held responsible for a child he doesn't want without having any say in the matter. He has no authority as to whether the child is born or aborted, kept or adopted - yet he can be held responsible for the consequences of a decision in which he had no part. This law recognises the fact that it is women, and women only, who have the right to determine whether or not they will bear a child and what will happen to it once born. Accordingly, since they have the sole authority, they have the sole responsibility as well. Of course, if an agreement such as that described above is in place, then the responsibility is shared, and it is agreements like this that I would see being signed in the majority of cases - ie., for 'wanted' children of couples.
5. Pass laws to make arson, murder, sexual contact with a child, kidnapping and rape punishable by painless execution.
Not a popular one, no doubt. However, I believe there are people without whom society is better off.
6. Repeal all laws concerning controlled/illicit/illegal substances. Instead, make consumption of all drugs legal and managed by the state in the same fashion as alcohol is managed now.
The idea that the government (or anyone else) can tell a person they are not allowed to consume a certain substance is abhorrent to me. People have the moral right to take whatever drugs they want (just to let you know, I don't take drugs or drink).
7. Repeal all laws regarding tax exemption. Make all organisations, of whatever purpose and nature, liable for tax.
Sorta speaks for itself. If an organisation can't pay its own way, then let it die.
8. Make sexual education mandatory for all children via the state education system. Such education is to be aimed at an appropriate level given the age of the children, but is to impart the basics before puberty. This education will discuss the biological and physical aspects of sex, including contraceptive options (including abstinence).
I believe one of the leading causes of teen pregnancy, STD rates, etc., is lack of knowledge. Some part of this is caused by such things as abstinence only programs, parents who don't want their children to have sex education, and so forth. In my opinion, not teaching them the facts is actively harmful, and the government is justified in ignoring parents' wishes that they not be taught such, for their own sake.
No doubt I'll think of some more after I post this, but these will do for a start...
If you had the power to make and repeal whatever laws you wanted, what laws would you make, and what laws would you repeal? Why?
I'll start the ball rolling by listing a few of the laws I'd change if I could...
1. Repeal all laws relating to 'indecent exposure' and public nudity.
I believe laws forbidding a person to be naked when and where they want are an infringement of personal freedom.
2. Repeal all laws relating to ages of sexual consent. Instead, make it illegal to have sexual contact with a child (ie., pre-pubescent).
I believe the age of consent concept is inherently flawed. The idea that a person overnight becomes 'legal' is ridiculous. Similarly, the idea that a person below a certain age cannot give informed consent is ludicrous. The fact is that some adolescents are sufficiently mature and developed to give such consent and have sex. Obviously, some are not - but they are not compelled to do so.
3. Repeal all laws concerning spouses. Abolish marriage as a state-recognised institution. Instead, create a state-maintained list of next-of-kin whereby persons could register who they want to be considered their next-of-kin for all purposes. Treat people in relationships as single people for tax purposes.
I find the state-recognised marriage concept to be archaic and of little use. Removing it entirely would prevent further discrimination against homosexuals and put everyone on an equal footing. Of course, nothing in this legislation would prevent marriage; it would merely stop state recognition of such.
4. Repeal all laws regarding male responsibility for offspring. Create a state-registered 'agreement to parent' whereby n people (of any gender) can register to be parents of a child (before or after its birth). These parents are individually responsible for the child financially and legally until it comes of age. This agreement cannot be rescinded without consent of all parents on the agreement. In the absence of such an agreement, the mother is responsible for the child financially and legally until it comes of age; the father is responsible for half the medical expenses incurred by the pregnancy/abortion/birth only.
This is an attempt to create a more reasoned framework for parental responsibility. Currently, a man can be held responsible for a child he doesn't want without having any say in the matter. He has no authority as to whether the child is born or aborted, kept or adopted - yet he can be held responsible for the consequences of a decision in which he had no part. This law recognises the fact that it is women, and women only, who have the right to determine whether or not they will bear a child and what will happen to it once born. Accordingly, since they have the sole authority, they have the sole responsibility as well. Of course, if an agreement such as that described above is in place, then the responsibility is shared, and it is agreements like this that I would see being signed in the majority of cases - ie., for 'wanted' children of couples.
5. Pass laws to make arson, murder, sexual contact with a child, kidnapping and rape punishable by painless execution.
Not a popular one, no doubt. However, I believe there are people without whom society is better off.
6. Repeal all laws concerning controlled/illicit/illegal substances. Instead, make consumption of all drugs legal and managed by the state in the same fashion as alcohol is managed now.
The idea that the government (or anyone else) can tell a person they are not allowed to consume a certain substance is abhorrent to me. People have the moral right to take whatever drugs they want (just to let you know, I don't take drugs or drink).
7. Repeal all laws regarding tax exemption. Make all organisations, of whatever purpose and nature, liable for tax.
Sorta speaks for itself. If an organisation can't pay its own way, then let it die.
8. Make sexual education mandatory for all children via the state education system. Such education is to be aimed at an appropriate level given the age of the children, but is to impart the basics before puberty. This education will discuss the biological and physical aspects of sex, including contraceptive options (including abstinence).
I believe one of the leading causes of teen pregnancy, STD rates, etc., is lack of knowledge. Some part of this is caused by such things as abstinence only programs, parents who don't want their children to have sex education, and so forth. In my opinion, not teaching them the facts is actively harmful, and the government is justified in ignoring parents' wishes that they not be taught such, for their own sake.
No doubt I'll think of some more after I post this, but these will do for a start...
