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Originally Posted by dksuddeth
I certainly find it interesting that people can find that rights that they agree with or believe in can be absolute, while others can either be written away or simply dismissed. fascinating.
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This comment is inane. Why would someone support a right they don't agree with?
Anyway, on to my own answers.
1 - do you support the right for gay couples to legally marry?
Yes. Marriage is not simply a religious convention. There are important legal ramifications to being married; every couple should have the same rights. Or see Crompsin's answer.
2 - do you support the death penalty?
No. Unlike incarceration, the death penalty cannot be reversed and I do not trust my justice system that much. To paraphrase, it's better that a thousand guilty men live than one innocent man die.
3 - do you believe that freedom of speech should be absolute, or are their some limits on what people should be allowed to say?
Absolute. "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to my death your right to say it." There is no spoken word so heinous that it shouldn't be allowed and that includes hate speech and the like. I'm free to choose not to listen, but trying to police people's opinions is a dangerous line to draw.
4 - do you believe that part of the role of taxation is to redistribute resources more equally?
No. Taxation is a way for all of us to contribute to the cost of services and benefits we collectively enjoy. I like having paved roads and hospitals, and I have no problem chipping in my share to make sure I continue to have those things.
5 - do you believe that people should be forced to learn the official language of a nation if they want to emmigrate to it?
Forced, no. ratbastid speaks the truth, though; I do believe that most folks who legally immigrate to another country that speaks a foreign language are likely to take the initiative and do so on their own, since it's in their own best interest. If you're going to go to all the trouble of the immigration process itself, why wouldn't you want to give yourself the best possible chance of success once you get where you're going? If the resources are made available I can't imagine many immigrants would need forcing.
6 - do you believe that prayer should be prohibited from schools?
Define prohibited. Prayer does not belong as part of the curriculum, but if a student decides that he's gonna say grace before eating his lunch every day, more power to him I reckon. Separating state and religion is about not forcing choices on others. Banning religion is forcing a choice and thus makes little sense. Mind you, this also ties into question three, I reckon.