Baptist News Global
Sections
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • Curated
  • Storytelling
    • Faith & Justice >
      • Charleston: Metanoia with Bill Stanfield
      • Charlotte: QC Family Tree with Greg and Helms Jarrell
      • Little Rock: Judge Wendell Griffen
      • North Carolina: Conetoe
    • Welcoming the Stranger >
      • Lost Boys of Sudan: St. John’s Baptist Charlotte
      • Awakening to Immigrant Justice: Myers Park Baptist Church
      • Hospitality on the corner: Gaston Christian Center
    • Signature Ministries >
      • Jake Hall: Gospel Gothic, Music and Radio
    • Singing Our Faith >
      • Hymns for a Lifetime: Ken Wilson and Knollwood Baptist Church
      • Norfolk Street Choir
    • Resilient Rural America >
      • Alabama: Perry County
      • Texas: Hidalgo County
      • Arkansas Delta
      • Southeast Kentucky
  • More
    • Contact
    • About
    • Donate
    • Associated Baptist Press Foundation
    • Planned Giving
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Advertising
    • Ministry Jobs and More
    • Transitions
    • Subscribe
    • Submissions and Permissions
Donate Subscribe
Search Search this site

The limits of my right to be unlimited

OpinionArville Earl  |  January 5, 2022

Some time ago a number of people — I among them — were troubled by a cell phone TV ad that projected the idea that, “I need, no, I have the right to be unlimited.” The disturbing aspect for me was the extent to which the ad seemed to portray our current society with a growing, invasive attitude that one’s individual rights, whatever they may be, should take precedence over all else.

More recently, hearing about the several court and state legislative decisions related to carrying concealed weapons in public places (including university campuses and church properties), the discordant refrain of the “being unlimited” song resounded again. Are the foundational values of moral conscientiousness and mutual responsibility being obscured by the “I have the right to …” syndrome? How incompatible is the “no limits” attitude with that of “loving mercy, doing justice and walking humbly with God”? Should the enduring principle of loving my neighbor be subordinated to my constitutional rights?

Arville Earl

My problem revolves around the practical and ethical consequences of this insolent mindset. At some point, in the process of living among other human beings, we must face the inevitable tension of the priority of our rights (my rights in contrast to your rights) and what we will do to determine how the matter will be settled. If this potential confrontation could be defused by a simple flip of a coin, and you and I were both content with the way the coin landed, we could go our ways and get on with living.

But then, this would mean we were imposing limits on our “unlimitedness.” If I insist on being unlimited, that will necessarily intrude upon your freedom to be unlimited, with ensuing conflict being the result. Such a conflict will then need to be resolved by other means, such as whoever is stronger or has more resources or whoever has more, bigger or more effective weapons, concealed or not. Surely there is a better way.

If I really believe universal human rights are legitimate, I must allow those rights I claim for myself to be accessible for you as well. As long as we live among other people and hope to live peaceably in that context, some self-imposed limitations not only will be expedient but mandatory. Who has the right to more water when drawing from the community well with limited capacity?

“If I really believe universal human rights are legitimate, I must allow those rights I claim for myself to be accessible for you as well.”

In contrast to the “unlimited” position, there are alternatives to be considered. Yes, I have my rights, and I will insist upon my right not to promote that cell phone ad mentality for the good of us all. I will insist upon my right, when appropriate, not to use my right of free speech for the better good of us all. I will insist upon my right not to bear arms and not to carry a concealed weapon for the greater good of us all. I will continue to insist upon my right to advocate for the inherent human rights of the least advantaged and the disenfranchised in the interest of the larger good for all of us.

What if I choose to stand my ground and insist upon my right to be — limited, helping to make the profound concept of “liberty and justice for all” a reality rather than a mere sentimental slogan?

Arville Earl and his wife, Shelia, were among the first international missionaries appointed by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in its early days. They served Albania and Macedonia and now live in High Point N.C. This column first was published at BNG on April 27, 2014, and has been adapted for current readers.

 

Related articles:

Everything that’s wrong with the world explained in one brief column | Opinion by Mark Wingfield

A wish list for the common good in a new era | Opinion by Marv Knox

Indivisible or individual? Where do Americans Christians pledge their allegiance? | Opinion by Erica Whitaker

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)

OPINION: Views expressed in Baptist News Global columns and commentaries are solely those of the authors.
Tags:unlimitedlimitedArville Earlfreedomrightspersonal freedomselfishness
More by
Arville Earl
  • Get BNG headlines in your inbox

  • Featured

    • How to connect the dots while watching Shiny Happy People

      Analysis

    • A friendly conversation on being ‘woke’

      Opinion

    • On migrant crisis, the U.S. and UK governments share a controversial tactic in common

      News

    • The whole gospel of God for a church and nation in crisis

      Opinion


    Curated

    • Polish city throws children’s bubble party on top of Jewish graves

      Polish city throws children’s bubble party on top of Jewish graves

    • Seattle’s Quest Church leaves ECC as church affirms LGBTQ Christians

      Seattle’s Quest Church leaves ECC as church affirms LGBTQ Christians

    • Vatican bank reports significant profit adopting Catholic ethics

      Vatican bank reports significant profit adopting Catholic ethics

    • Thousands Gather Outside Colorado Capitol Calling On Governor To Ban All Guns

      Thousands Gather Outside Colorado Capitol Calling On Governor To Ban All Guns

    Read Next:

    When a Baptist Press story tells you only part of the story

    AnalysisMark Wingfield

    More Articles

    • All
    • News
    • Opinion
    • Curated
    • New assistance programs cause poverty rate among immigrants to fall in U.S.

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Finding hope in in the church despite these two documentaries

      OpinionErin Albin Hill

    • Mike Stone has an unlikely nominator for his SBC presidential run

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Southwestern trustees release 20 years of financials that show devastating decline began under Patterson

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • How to connect the dots while watching Shiny Happy People

      AnalysisRick Pidcock

    • How the new documentary series Shiny Happy People intersects with mainstream Christianity

      AnalysisMallory Challis

    • What I learned when I invited a friend to church who processes the world differently than me

      OpinionDebby Haralson

    • On migrant crisis, the U.S. and UK governments share a controversial tactic in common

      NewsAnthony Akaeze

    • A friendly conversation on being ‘woke’

      OpinionRuss Dean

    • When a Baptist Press story tells you only part of the story

      AnalysisMark Wingfield

    • 27% of Americans are still watching religious services online

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Resolving to ‘respect the diversity’ of the global Baptist family

      AnalysisSteven R. Harmon

    • ‘Leaders are formed in the leading,’ Bolsinger advises pastors

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • The right’s zero-tolerance policy on Pride

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • The whole gospel of God for a church and nation in crisis

      OpinionH. Stephen Shoemaker

    • One year after Roe was overturned, states have a ‘hodgepodge of laws’

      NewsSteve Rabey

    • The rhetorical genuis of Rick Warren

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • Remembering the Tulsa race massacre of 1921

      OpinionWendell Griffen

    • The Respect for Marriage Act helped de-escalate the culture wars

      OpinionTanner Bean

    • Stone of Destiny: Rising secularism and its influence on Scottish independence

      AnalysisKristen Thomason

    • Here’s a guide to understanding the latest report from Southwestern’s trustees

      AnalysisMark Wingfield

    • Is Rick Warren reviving the fight against the fundamentalist takeover of the SBC?

      OpinionMeredith Stone

    • An open letter to all Southern Baptists

      OpinionRick Warren

    • Shurden Lecture takes on the ‘myth of American chosenness’

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • New assistance programs cause poverty rate among immigrants to fall in U.S.

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Mike Stone has an unlikely nominator for his SBC presidential run

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Southwestern trustees release 20 years of financials that show devastating decline began under Patterson

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • On migrant crisis, the U.S. and UK governments share a controversial tactic in common

      NewsAnthony Akaeze

    • 27% of Americans are still watching religious services online

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • ‘Leaders are formed in the leading,’ Bolsinger advises pastors

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • One year after Roe was overturned, states have a ‘hodgepodge of laws’

      NewsSteve Rabey

    • Shurden Lecture takes on the ‘myth of American chosenness’

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • What happens when Tom Ascol finds Ted Cruz to be too liberal and quotes Leviticus 20:13?

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Three billboards outside Nashville, Tennessee

      NewsRick Pidcock

    • Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina loses president and board chair in same week

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Faith-based immigration advocates hopeful about new bill in Congress

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Coalition urges White House not to overlook Black immigrants

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Gay Christian man says he was kicked off BWA commissions

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Southwestern trustees affirm their leadership and repudiate two trustees who raised alarms

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • How to fix anemic U.S. rural health care? Learn from Africa and look to the churches, Birx says

      NewsElizabeth Souder

    • Medical professionals address myths and misconceptions about transgender kids

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Opal Lee may be the ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth,’ but she’s not done working for justice yet

      NewsMallory Challis

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • U.S. Department of Education issues guidance on religious expression in schools

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Ten Commandments bill dies in Texas Legislature

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Leader of Assemblies of God student group at Baylor arrested on child sexual abuse charges

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • BJC and Interfaith Alliance applaud first-ever national strategy to counter antisemitism

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • New documentary series shows how churches that close can keep ministry open

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Finding hope in in the church despite these two documentaries

      OpinionErin Albin Hill

    • What I learned when I invited a friend to church who processes the world differently than me

      OpinionDebby Haralson

    • A friendly conversation on being ‘woke’

      OpinionRuss Dean

    • The right’s zero-tolerance policy on Pride

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • The whole gospel of God for a church and nation in crisis

      OpinionH. Stephen Shoemaker

    • The rhetorical genuis of Rick Warren

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • Remembering the Tulsa race massacre of 1921

      OpinionWendell Griffen

    • The Respect for Marriage Act helped de-escalate the culture wars

      OpinionTanner Bean

    • Is Rick Warren reviving the fight against the fundamentalist takeover of the SBC?

      OpinionMeredith Stone

    • An open letter to all Southern Baptists

      OpinionRick Warren

    • An open letter to Elijah Brown, Baptist World Alliance CEO

      OpinionRichard Wilson

    • Why this seminary professor’s view of MrBeast and his friend is deadly and dangerous

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • What I learned from Taylor Swift

      OpinionBill Wilson

    • Remembering Pulse nighclub and the power of affirmation

      OpinionMaina Mwaura

    • Working and waiting with people and plants

      OpinionBob Newell

    • Let’s reclaim the real Baptist identity

      OpinionJustin L. Addington

    • To the mother who complained about Amanda Gorman’s poem

      OpinionRobert P. Sellers

    • Rising from the ashes: God’s empowering message for displaced women

      OpinionRosaly Guzman

    • How the Progressive National Baptist Convention plans to put faith into action

      OpinionDarryl Gray

    • Believe me: The struggle of Black pain

      OpinionZachary Barber

    • They’ll know we are Christians by our what?

      OpinionBill Leonard, Senior Columnist

    • How to celebrate Pentecost without balloons, plastic doves or salsa

      OpinionJack Levison

    • The generational pain and hope of the Southern Baptist witch trials

      OpinionWill Raybon

    • Why demographic shifts haven’t yet swamped the Republican Party

      OpinionRobert P. Jones

    • Tina Turner kept the divine flame burning

      OpinionJustin Cox

    • Polish city throws children’s bubble party on top of Jewish graves

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Seattle’s Quest Church leaves ECC as church affirms LGBTQ Christians

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Vatican bank reports significant profit adopting Catholic ethics

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Thousands Gather Outside Colorado Capitol Calling On Governor To Ban All Guns

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Fighting For Peace: Russians Use Faith To Protest Invasion Of Ukraine Despite Risks

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Anti-hate mural showcasing Jewish diversity goes up in LA neighborhood where antisemitic shootings took place

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • What Happens When Christians and Muslims Translate Scripture Side by Side

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • How Biden has navigated LGBTQ issues as a Catholic president

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • New Capital Jewish Museum ‘connects the past to the present’ in downtown DC

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Arson investigation underway after fire burns Los Angeles church for second time in 2 years

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Lionized for his Jan. 6 antics, Jake Angeli finds his spiritual beliefs a harder sell

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Utah district bans Bible in elementary and middle schools ‘due to vulgarity or violence’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • In Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial, Jewish rituals feature as prominently as the carnage of the day

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Manipur Christians: ‘The Violence Has Shattered Us’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Pride flag glimpsed on ‘The Chosen’ set prompts call for boycott

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Why Chick-fil-A Is Drawing Fire Over a ‘Culture of Belonging’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Survey: Drop in Eastern European antisemitism may be due to Zelenskyy effect

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Street scrolls: The beats, rhymes and spirituality of Latin hip-hop

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • ‘Felt like a year’: Worshipper describes fear during gunman’s deadly attack on Pittsburgh synagogue

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Near the Western Wall, Jewish radicals shout at Christian Evangelicals to ‘go home’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Playing a religious character without making faith the punchline

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Jewish settlers erect religious school in evacuated West Bank outpost after Israel repeals ban

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • How the practice of Nichiren Buddhism sustained Tina Turner for 50 years

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Connecticut lawmakers absolve accused colonial-era witches, apologize for “miscarriage of justice”

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • ‘Avatar’ Franchise Expands Ideas About Spirituality Beyond A Western, Christian Lens

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    Conversations that Matter.

    © 2023 Baptist News Global. All rights reserved.

    Want to share a story? We hope you will! Read our republishing, terms of use and privacy policies here.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS