Sorry about the last post... My computer dislikes me.

When prompted to ponder the right to think, multiple concepts entered the foremost of my mind. One thing I've noticed is that, starting with Spencer, multiple people have expressed that we've always had the right to think, since our thoughts can't be controlled, but not everyone has the right to express their thoughts. Therefore, I think it would be more accurate to say that the John Scopes Trial put the right to act on trial. As shown through the play and many other instances in history, this right wasn't always freely given. Even today, our right to act is limited by social stigma attached to expressing certain view points. Homosexuals are persecuted for acting on what they believe is acceptable, just as are Christians and other religious groups by being stereotyped as bigoted and old-fashioned. This just goes to show that no matter what side of the fence a person lies on, it's all the same. We don't always feel the right to express what we believe because many are too afraid of the consequences, even if as Taylor first said, we take this "right" for granted. This being said, we need to stop and remember that even when we vehemently believe our values are the right ones, we need to take a step back and remember that no group or person has the right to take a way the rights of another.

In addition, I agree with what Dana said when she mentioned that it's those who challenge these limits placed on us who create progress. John scopes would definitely be considered one of these people. Throughout history, the world has been irrevocably changed by people who dared to challenge a popular opinion with an unpopular one. From Pythagorus, who was shunned when he postulated that the earth was round, to the founding fathers of America, whose concepts of freedom and equality were at first scoffed at. Without these people who were willing to take a stand without the crutch of popular approval, our world would be a very dark place. We need to follow these men and remember that every idea, even if completely incorrect, can be learned from. Therefore, if we refuse to challenge the boundaries of our right to think and act, we refuse to learn.

All in all, I'm just thankful that I live in a nation where I have the right to think about the right to think, and you all have the right to think whatever you want about what I think about the right to think. After all, a subject this complex merits a sentence that confusing...