Believe what you want - to a point

I am one that supposes that every single person on this planet has the right to believe whatever they wish - to a point.  The problem for me comes from those who have a belief in something that has a direct or indirect negative impact on me or my perceived negative impact on others. I am especially concerned when the beliefs of others manifest into "actions" that have a negative impact on me or others.  One of the many things that concerns me regarding belief and the actions associated with those beliefs is the foundation of these beliefs.

Take vaccination for one instance.  The fact is that disease would be rampant all around the world if it were not for vaccines - this fact is result of extensive scientific research and on-going development.  The Anti-Vaxxers would have you believe that vaccines cause health problems and this is why you should not vaccinate your children. There is evidence that shows that vaccination may cause undesirable effects on some individuals, but without vaccination those undesirable effects would pale in comparison to the countless deaths that would occur around the globe without vaccination.  The mere "thought" of people believing that vaccinations should be stopped is concerning to me, but taking "action" and having a mouthpiece go on television and spout their uninformed belief is what really gets my goat.  I would appear that the foundation for the anti-vaccinator is due to misinformation and not an honest application of flimsy research.  I realize that we live in a "free" society, but it shouldn't mean that we are "free" to say and do whatever we want without consequence.

I also hold that religious people have the right to believe what they wish - to a point.  If you don't understand what I'm referring to just read the Old/New Testament or the Quran/Koran.  Jews, Christians and Muslims consider their holy books as the foundation of their belief. The problem I have with people who believe the stories or "wisdom" found in these books is that many followers place their beliefs over the rights and the very lives of others.  Some followers are willing to perpetrate atrocities based on their beliefs - or rather a gross misapplication of those beliefs. Like I have mentioned before - I don't have a problem with what you believe - to a point.  The point I am referring to is:  the point in which one's belief supersedes another persons right to exist or a persons right to live the way they wish - as a responsible law abiding world citizen. In this respect there are far too many so -called religious followers who's beliefs are toxic to the rest of the world's population. I believe that some of the toxicity in these people hiding behind the veil of religion is borne out of the reality altering/mind bending stories coupled with an unceasing bombardment of selected hate passages found in these holy books. It is everyone's job to tackle these, or any, toxic beliefs - no matter where they are found. It is my belief that we all have the the right to life the way we want to live it - to a point.

FMF