Freedom and what does it mean
@ReverendShaggy (415)
Philippines
October 4, 2011 5:58am CST
In another discussion I was participating in, someone asked why don't I start a discussion on freedom. I thought it was a really good idea just had to decide what I would list it under mainly.
The way I am going to open up this discussion is by simply asking what is freedom? I am not looking for some dictionary definition either. Freedom is different to every single person all around the world so I would like everyone's personal feelings on what freedom is and then what it means to them.
Me personally I would say that freedom is to me simply being able to be yourself and not have to succumb to stereotypes or anything that people consider to be proper. Don't get me wrong, this does not include going on random killing sprees or raping expeditions. Those are not freedoms, they are degenerate behaviors no matter how you look at it. On that same note, I do believe that if you are protecting yourself or loved ones and the only way to help ends up being a death, it is a necessary evil then.
It should be common knowledge that injuring others is not a right that you have. However If you want an ankle length mohawk with pink and blue polka dots,, that is your freedom. To impose upon simple freedoms such as that is to take a way individuality. Without being able to be yourself, what is really the point of being anything?
So Freedom to me is simply being able to be me. A simple statement that is very complex and goes into every nook and cranny of life. I hope this discussion is an enjoyable one for us all and I hope you all have a wonderful day.
2 people like this
8 responses
@janevi (888)
• Philippines
5 Oct 11
Finally, you have started this topic. :-)
Freedom is knowing yourself better. A simple statement and yet ingrained with so much values. It is doing what you think is right in contrast with the acceptable norms in the family, in the community and in the society. Every action and decision that you make is always a product of a thorough and careful discernment and taking on whatever consequence it would have.It's like exercising your right but at the same time taking on the responsibility that goes with it. Carrying out your own decision without regrets and no blaming on others for the consequences it would bring. Its also being free from the reins of the expectations of people and yet performing your best. That for me is freedom, my functional and operational freedom.:-)
1 person likes this
@ReverendShaggy (415)
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
Yep and thanks for the idea.
I see where you get you definition for it as well.It is a very considered aspect of life. The only thing I am still a little contradictory on is the acceptable norms thing. You say it for family, community and society. Now I say you look at a family you have the so called "black sheep" of that family who doesn't where a suit or go to college to be a lawyer but instead goes to college to be a musician for example. That is not the norm of the family but that is his freedom and it may very well upset the family because it isn't norm, however it really isn't hurting them at all, they just want to be stubborn and assume that what they know is best for him. When it comes to community your hitting a gray area as well because one community it may be the norm to be walking around carrying a sawed off shotgun in your jacket yet 3 blocks over you wear your suit and tie and ride your bicycle everywhere and whatnot. So to appeal to the norms of those communities is to not be yourself which is not freedom. The only thing with society I say is that it is not the norm to not have good moral fiber, but again though I do not condone killing and rape and things like that, in the end if that person wants to do those things they can. They can also go to prison or be killed as well for those choices. They may not be normal choices but they are free to make them.
@janevi (888)
• Philippines
9 Oct 11
i would suggest that you get the whole idea not word for word because the meaning would mean different. acting within the norms does not mean that you are obliged to follow it. you can be deviant if you like as long as it is still acceptable.
knowing oneself better is the key, if you would like to exercise your freedom. if you know yourself better , you can do whatever you like as long as you are responsible for all your actions. It is called responsible freedom and not simply freedom per see. :-)
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
5 Oct 11
Freedom for me is doing the things i love to do and not getting hurtful criticisms. Freedom is being able to express yourself without curtailing others' rights.
I always wear what i like to wear without thinking of what others have to say. I never succumbed to what society dictates. But i'm careful not to hurt or infringe on another person's rights. And that is the freedom that i am enjoying now.
I used to live in a village where every move i made was highly criticized. Hated that. I went to a university that educated me not only academically but socially. And there i experienced and learned what true freedom should be.
1 person likes this
@ReverendShaggy (415)
• Philippines
5 Oct 11
Awesome description. I agree with yours as well. I'm glad your experiences were of use in forming yourself.
On another note, It has been a but for ya glad to see ya drop by LOL
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136541)
• India
5 Oct 11
There was this Moral Rearmament Group which was kind of a spiritual group. They had this theme song - "Freedom isn't free, freedom isn't free, you have to pay a price, you have to sacrifice, for your liberty"
Freedom is to be liberated from society norms and under this umbrella comes all that is there, that defines freedom.
1 person likes this
@ReverendShaggy (415)
• Philippines
5 Oct 11
Never heard of them but that is a very interesting concept. Im glad you brought it to this discussion
1 person likes this
@ibrahim27d (11)
• India
4 Oct 11
it's the freedom that god gave us choose to make a choice of what we wanted to be, where we believe and what do we want to our lives.
and
this is what every people want to achieve. like freedom to yourself, freedom to choose the things you like, freedom to choose friends, freedom to live anywhere and to go somewhere and freedom to decide
and
in love, this is the biggest sacrifice that we offer to our special someone who cant love us back, its the freedom for her to go. because , ture love is giving freedom and what can make him/her happy though it will hurt you more than what you are expecting of.
and
it the freedom to say whats on your mind and what you feel to your surroundings and to every people around you. to be free to express yourself
the freedom to release all your emotions and ideas
@didi13 (2926)
• Romania
7 Nov 11
It would be nice so you can truly be free !!!!!! He can do what you think, what you feel, what you dream, without being constrained by rules of conduct of the company, or worse by our own rules! It say that we are born free, but then comes with many precepts of moral education, then throw in your lifetime you like some were not enough, so sometimes you can be watching and free!! forget that you can be free to do what you want, what you feel or what you dream!
Fortunately, we were not forbidden to dream again !!!!!! So I continue to dream and managed to escape from everyday, even for a few seconds, during which time I imagine that I am free !!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@nezavisima (7408)
• Bulgaria
4 Oct 11
what freedom means freedom for me is everything.
freedom is to be assessed at the best way.
because when you're free you can not do much.
freedom is that which gives us the choice may be happy with a loved one.
we can walk to shopping without worrying what you want.
There are so many things that show us the freedom we have to evaluate because it is very valuable and that everyone is free to be happy.
I always think that only a prisoner properly assess because freedom was not free a specified period.
interesting discussion and I was pleased to answer this question.
nice day!
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (167015)
• Boise, Idaho
5 Oct 11
The ability to act freely is the definition I find. I think the same as you do. Freedom is a very good feeling. I think about people in jail and prisons around the world. Those in maximum security can only get out of their cells for an hour a day. And most cells don't have the seaside views to say the least. Yes, freedom is a good feeling.
@nixiecole (358)
• Philippines
4 Oct 11
In my own belief, I think it's the ability to do what's right and at the same time it should be your choice. Like you can't do something that you know is morally right if you don't believe it's right. Then it wouldn't be ethically right. At the same time, you can't do something that you just feel like doing without considering what's right and what's not because deep inside, you won't feel free if you have an internal or unconscious debate with yourself if it is acceptable to your morality.
