Should the statement that all men are created equal be updated to

[WCGreen]

say...

All humans have the right to be treated as and be considered as equal under the laws of the United States of America.

Call me a humanist, if you will, but this idea of being "created" is a little outdated since it presupposes that their is a divine creator behind all of this.

To me that would make perfect sense. But then again, who is to say I have any sense at all?

[BlooInBloo]

1. No. We just have to find some way to live with the quaint quirks of our forebears...

No matter how much it makes us want to kill ourselves.

Oh, wait - it doesn't. We can live with those quirks without any trouble whatsoever.

[ashling]

2. TJlocks and the forebears

:rofl:

playing the hits of the 1770s :nopity:

[Lilith Velkor]

4. Thomas Jefferson fucked his slave.

We should reject everything that sleazeball had to say.

















(Do I really need to use the :sarcasm: tag here? Yes, I suppose I do. Le sigh.)

[Quantess]

3. I like your idea.

I personally don't care what "our forebearers" said, if it is outdated.

Women supposedly have one more rib than men do, according to the bible. Yep, it's all because Adam removed his rib to make Eve. That's so awesome!

[mwooldri]

5. Two issues here...

But before I go into it your statement that "all men be created equal" needs updating - I agree with it, and your suggestion is a good one.

1. Men vs Humans vs People.

I personally prefer people, because it "future-proofs" things; what if we get to the stage to develop an artificial being that's basically exactly human-like, but isn't human? This could well happen in 200-300 years. What if we're ever proven wrong and that there is extra-terrestrial life and that ship from Vulcan does come and we meet with people from other planets? They're not human but they're people.


2. "created" being connected to the notion that there is a divine creator.

As for "created" to me it doesn't presuppose that there is a divine creator. What synonym of "create" exists that wouldn't suggest that there is a divine creator? After all, sexual creatures that reproduce don't just "happen", there is a deliberate act that takes place that starts the reproductive process. However... easiest thing still: just drop the word.

How about "All people are equal under the law" ?

[WCGreen]

6. People is good...

[Amimnoch]

7. I don't really have any issue with it at all.. never did, doubt I ever will.

First of all, it was a part of the Declaration of Independence, not the constitution, so it's not really a "law" that needs to be changed.. it is only a historical document, and changing history in the interest of political correctness.. wrong.. learning from it, evolving from it, and "progressing" past the mistakes of it of course is always good!

I think the vast majority see the part about "men" as equating to all of mankind in this day and age. If the wording of the Declaration was being used by any group of any significance to disparage women of their rights as equals, that would be a different story.

As to the use of the word "created".. well, there are many ways it can be taken as a word. Of course there is the more common way that conservatives like to tout it being about a "creator". However, for those of us who believe in science, it can apply with no less validity.. After all, we were still "created" regardless if it was some mythical deity, or as a result of the big bang and natural occurrence. It is indisputable that we were created, after all we do exist, and nothing exists that wasn't created.. regardless of if it was by natural chance, or divine intervention.

[FlaGranny]

8. How can it be "updated."?

This is an original document written over 200 years ago. It is what it is. "Men" or "Man" refers to all humanity. That is what I was taught in grammar school 60 years ago. If it were the Constitution, I guess an amendment could be made.

[stahbrett]

9. We all were created

By our parents...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. I like your idea...

But I love the poetry of the old language...