[spintreebob]

First, only individual persons have rights.
States do not have states rights.
Churches do not have rights. The individual persons in those churches are the possessors of rights.
Businesses don’t have rights. The individuals involved in that business have rights.

Second, rights come from God/natural law. They do not come from government. The actions of individuals in government and individuals in other institutions can abridge/violate those rights. But they can’t “take them away”.

The Constitution provides for ‘abridging’ those rights with due cause and due process. Thus certain rights can be abridged upon probable cause.

[JRandomFreeper]

First, only individual persons have rights. States do not have states rights.

I say that a lot around here, but no-one seems to hear. I'm glad someone gets it, and I'm not kicking that dead whale down the beach by myself.

/johnny

[JRandomFreeper]

Actually, I generally say that "States have powers, people have rights and powers"

/johnny

[Sherman Logan]

The Constitution provides for ‘abridging’ those rights with due cause and due process. Thus certain rights can be abridged upon probable cause.

Beg to differ.

Rights are absolute and cannot be abridged.

However, not every claim that "rights" apply is valid. People often try to claim that a certain practice is protected by a right when it is not.

Thus, to use the cliche, the right to freedom of speech does not protect (falsely) crying "Fire" in a theater. It is speech, but not protected speech.

[Teacher317]

Well said, and concise. (My reply would’ve taken many paragraphs to make those vital points.)