Civil Liberties
We have modeled our basis of civil liberties after the preceding United States Constitution; namely the Bill of Rights. Herein are found many similarities and a number of differences given the differing natures of our civilizations.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,
or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and
to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
It is our belief that the many religions that flourish in our world provide
an enrichment for many of our citizens, and therefore add a desirable
if unmeasurable dimension to their lives. Other citizens are able to or
choose to enlighten themselves in more personal and unique ways which
also add to their human experience and makes them better citizens.
In earlier times, it was desirable to allow the practice of religion without undue restraint from the government. Groups were free to raise money, build churches, and further the mission of their congregation. Due to our economic system and the way that resources are allocated it is not possible for a religion to exist in any meaningful, physical way without the government recognizing and authorizing the resources necessary to build a church, obtain chairs, and communicate its mission. Certainly, anyone is free in our world to preach their spiritual views so long as those views do no simultaneously preach hate, oppression, or insurrection. Further, if that person should develop a following, there is no law which would oppress him nor keep him from holding meetings with his followers or spreading their doctrines. But in order to obtain a physical church building, a piano, pews, and internet access, the church needs to be recognized by the government.
Any group of ten adults can petition for provisional recognition as a church. A statement of doctrines must be filed and approved by the Council of Religions. Then, a house of worship is designated by the Housing Authority. Transcripts of sermons are submitted to the Council of Religions for review and publishing in the Unified Public Database. If there are no complaints against the church, it may continue operation and as registered membership grows, increasing supplies and space are allocated. On site visits of all churches are periodically performed by Council members. All complaints are investigated by the Council and may result in sanctions, removal of chief officers, or complete closure of the church.
Our government guarantees freedom of speech and expression to all of our citizens as it does to the press. However this expression must be tempered by prudence and decency as in any civilized world to allow for the peaceful, safe, and wholesome enjoyment of life by other citizens. To this end we have laws describing indecent exposure, inappropriate public conduct, reckless endangerment. We have noise pollution laws and obnoxious fragrance laws. And, we have laws prohibiting incitement of rioting, revolution, and other non-peaceful social change.
All of our citizens are guaranteed the right to assemble freely; they may even request that resources be allocated to accommodate such gatherings (food, equipment, an auditorium, ushers). They may assemble in peaceful protest as well.
Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state,
the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Having no separate nations nor regions with imperialist aims, we have
no need for a standing army, nor militia since by definition there is
no outside threat to secure against. Our citizens have no valid reason
to possess arms. We have a nonviolent culture, and most previously existing
reasons for violence and crime have been eliminated through free access
to resources and the more or less elimination of personal property. Due
to our respect for animal life, there is no amateur sport hunting either.
All culling of herds such as wild deer and elk, is done by professional
hunters (primarily police officers whom may benefit from the practice)
who take down the animals with tranquilizers so that they may be humanely
and sanitarily euthanized and distributed as food.
Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without
the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed
by law.
Once again, our society
has no soldiers and so the Third Amendment has no relevance to us.
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers,
and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be
violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported
by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched,
and the persons or things to be seized.
Our citizens are protected by the very same rights specified in the fourth
amendment. In ordinary circumstances our government and its agencies (Police,
Social Services, Neighborhood Chief) lack the power to enter a citizen's
home without probable cause, to search or seize materials, evidence, possessions,
or information. The term ordinary circumstances is used because these
rights may be superceded in extraordinary circumstances which are defined
as:
Extraordinary circumstances exist when an act of terrorism has been planned or executed; insurrection or non-peaceful social change has been planned or executed; when a dangerous fugitive is pursued; and in times of natural disasters.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous
crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in
cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in
actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be
subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb;
nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself,
nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of
law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just
compensation.
Our citizens enjoy the same Fifth Amendment rights regarding being held
for trial, double jeopardy, and not bearing witness against themselves.
We do not have private property for the most part, except those few possession
that our citizens consider sentimentally dear. As for those few items,
the government could only take possession of them if they were considered
a strategic or scarce material crucial for the sustainment of our world
as a whole. For example, if platinum were suddenly extremely scarce and
was need for the production of catalytic fuel cells, a citizen's platinum
wedding could be taken by the government to serve the interest of the
whole. The citizen would be compensated, as best possible for the lost.
In the above case, perhaps a replica of the ring would be made out of
another precious metal.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy
and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein
the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously
ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the
accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory
process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance
of counsel for his defense.
Our society gives these exact rights to its citizens as well.
Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty
dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried
by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States,
than according to the rules of the common law.
Given that we have few possessions to quarrel over, and even fewer ways to meaningfully award damages, we have very few common law suits. But, our legal code provides for trial by jury subject to the rules of our laws.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Although we have no "fines" or "bail" in our society, we do have precedents as to what constitutes usual punishments.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed
to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Ditto.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor
prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively,
or to the people.
The same divisions of power exist spread out between our World Government,
Regional Governments, and Local Governements.