If the Declaration of Independence Were Written Today…
If the Declaration of Independence were written today, what about our society would future generations look back on and question?
What would not seem to live up to the ideals of the declaration?
The words of the declaration still ring out today: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
But when they were written, we know the definition of “men” was not what it was today: slavery was a scar and women did not have the right to vote.
If they had been written today, would there be aspects of our society that stand in the way of fulfilling the promise of the declaration?
Would it be that the gap between rich and poor has widened dramatically, making it virtually impossible for many to pursue happiness? Would it be that tens of millions still go without health care? Or that the right to life of the unborn is being violated? Or that same-sex couples cannot marry? There may be many more answers to the question.
Slavery was top-of-mind when the declaration was written. We have a simple question for you: What about our society today is unconscionable when weighed against the ideals of the declaration?
We hope you’ll share your thoughts below.
