Freedom Redefined: It's All About Cultural Acceptance

[pigeonhed]

In a thread for a vendor the topic of "Free Country" was being debated. The subject seems to deserve its' own thread. Having traveled quite extensively over my career I fell in love with many places and cultures. While I am a Northwest US guy for life, there are parts of me that will always miss parts of these far away places. Just wanted to share my view and hope to hear some others.

Thread of original discussion

In the quest to identify the world’s “most free” country, we often find ourselves entangled in a web of indices and rankings. From the Freedom House reports to the Human Freedom Index, each one offers its perspective, often leading to a varied list of front-runners. But here’s a thought: perhaps the notion of the “most free” country is less about these rankings and more about cultural acceptance and personal resonance.

Freedom, after all, is a multifaceted concept. It encompasses political rights, civil liberties, economic independence, and so much more. But at its core, freedom is also about the cultural fit — what one finds personally acceptable and resonant with their values and lifestyle. A country that tops the charts in economic freedom might not align with one’s desire for expressive artistic communities. Similarly, a nation celebrated for its political freedoms might still feel restrictive to those seeking different social norms or environmental commitments.

This perspective urges us to look beyond the black-and-white statistics and to consider the colorful tapestry of cultural acceptance. What makes a country “free” for you might hinge on its cultural diversity, the acceptance of different lifestyles, the freedom to express your identity without fear, or the ability to participate in civic life in a way that feels meaningful.

So, maybe it's time to shift the dialogue. Instead of asking which country is the most free, let’s ask which country resonates most closely with our personal ideals of freedom. This could mean a society that embraces diversity, one that fosters innovation and creativity, or one that provides space for spiritual growth and self-expression.

In this increasingly interconnected world, our definitions of freedom must evolve. It’s not just about the rankings anymore; it’s about finding a place that feels like home, a society where our values, beliefs, and lifestyles are not just tolerated but celebrated. That’s the true essence of freedom in today's world — not a one-size-fits-all label, but a personal journey towards cultural acceptance and belonging.

 

[laclark89]

I agree because freedom is not free bud. Enless u wana become a Buddhist monk, not even then

Like arnold said f ur freedom, like gen Flynn said freedom is to be guarded protected that comes at a price.

I'm on the west coast my self and honestly it's becoming a little much. I dont like to be that guy but there is one place i go for wisdom and understanding.

 

[lonewolf54321]

For the average person there is no greater country on the face of this planet than the USA. I've also traveled all over when I was in the Army and I've experienced many different cultures. I feel grateful that I was born here vs another so called free country. There are countries (think N Korea) where they would kill you and your family if you answered the question wrong.
In the Philippines they literally can kill you for ordering gear.
In Germany you are a drug dealer with having 1 vial worth of gear.
There are many "free" countries. There is only 1 USA. Let's see what whiny bitch enjoys their freedom by complaining about the USA in the following posts lol

 

[DECLAN]

For the average person there is no greater country on the face of this planet than the USA. I've also traveled all over when I was in the Army and I've experienced many different cultures. I feel grateful that I was born here vs another so called free country. There are countries (think N Korea) where they would kill you and your family if you answered the question wrong.
In the Philippines they literally can kill you for ordering gear.
In Germany you are a drug dealer with having 1 vial worth of gear.
There are many "free" countries. There is only 1 USA. Let's see what whiny bitch enjoys their freedom by complaining about the USA in the following posts lol

I think you have never been to the Philippines my guy. You can literally buy gear off fb marketplace or their version of amazon without problems. Having a stick of weed with you is a different story though.

 

[lonewolf54321]

I think you have never been to the Philippines my guy. You can literally buy gear off fb marketplace or their version of amazon without problems. Having a stick of weed with you is a different story though.

I've lived in the Philippines for a year. Yes, you can get gear there. It's still a drug tho and Duterte's policy was that it was ok to kill anyone using or selling drugs.

 

[DECLAN]

I've lived in the Philippines for a year. Yes, you can get gear there. It's still a drug tho and Duterte's policy was that it was ok to kill anyone using or selling drugs.

Damn, thats wild if you can get offed with just gear.

 

[lonewolf54321]

Damn, thats wild if you can get offed with just gear.

I highly doubt that gear would get you killed, especially as a foreigner. The point was that in a so called "free" country like the Philippines, that technicality exists.
The Philippines is an amazing place to live as a westerner. I hope to retire there in 20ish years.

 

[ChevChelios]

I think you have never been to the Philippines my guy. You can literally buy gear off fb marketplace or their version of amazon without problems. Having a stick of weed with you is a different story though.

This. People just like to assume shit about countries just cos they were there on holiday in a club med once jk aside tho he made some valid points but having traveled myself pretty much all over it’s kinda the same in most places onc you get past cultural barriers or common differences, everyone wants to just be happy n have a good life, the more people try to make one ‘side’ better than another the more they are unknowingly fuckin up the actual thing, ik I suck at explaining this shit but it’s honestly such a vast topic that what you as an individual in one country consider as freedom might be a limitation to another n viceversa, the only true freedom that everyone has is inside the self, once you realize that you can be free even if you’re in jail.

Imo tho ‘freedom’ is a hugely loaded word especially in the states, it’s been used so much it literally means nothing and I love my country but I think that does everyone a disservice as all the people up top use it as a keyword to get us to fight with each other over shit we wouldn’t even care about and they end up profiting off it while us common folk go to war to fight their arguments (while their kids and them don’t) and kill each other on the street over pieces of land we don’t even own (I lost so many friends to this kinda shit and it’s almost like something out of a movie if you think about it, we are all animals at the end of the day and so much more tribalistic than what we think)

Yeah sorry for the rant I’m kinda lit rn but I like that this board has such discussions I’m very happy to have joined even though it was for totally different reasons

 

[fike]

In this increasingly interconnected world, our definitions of freedom must evolve. It’s not just about the rankings anymore; it’s about finding a place that feels like home, a society where our values, beliefs, and lifestyles are not just tolerated but celebrated. That’s the true essence of freedom in today's world — not a one-size-fits-all label, but a personal journey towards cultural acceptance and belonging.

While that sounds nice and would genuinely be a cool thing to see, it's extremely utopian, brother, and I don't ever see it happening because people are scared to look deeply at themselves and face the shadow and the work that goes along with transcending that. Also, the morals and values people hold dear and build the foundation of their cultural and personal beliefs on are going to be severely challenged and those people are going to now be the ones excluded and looked down upon while contempt will probably continue to grow. Where contempt grows, violence follows. While it is an admirable and optimistic thought that this unification could happen, how could it be imposed without force when most people won't even take a hard look at themselves and why they get so upset about stupid shit that doesn't necessarily go their way once or twice a day?

Do we herd all of one people that predominantly think similar into an area and herd another group that thinks differently into another area? That sounds pretty horrible and dystopian. I definitely feel we should truly attempt to love and accept people for who they are and at least attempt to respect each other as people even if it means agreeing to disagree and move on, because we probably share more common beliefs than not, but I don't feel like an actual physical place with unrelenting love and respect for those who are different will ever happen. There's just too many variables with people, even within blocks or miles of each other. And if anyone ever attempts to compel my speech or beliefs through law or any type of force, it's going to be a bad time for everyone involved. Just leave me and family alone, let us raise our kids how we want, don't fill their minds with things we don't believe in when they are at school, and treat us how you want to be treated and we'll.do the same no matter who you are, ya know?

But I believe the only place true freedom will ever reside is in our mind. It's the only place that can't be taken away from us and the only place we can go to, even in a room crowded with people spewing the most hateful shit in the world, no matter what happens. That's our ultimate destination of freedom and we choose what goes on there. Hopefully, what goes on is good and productive, but we are the ones that ultimately make that choice, the choice to face the shadow, integrate it, develop our character into something more and better. Once one does that for years and finally becomes a whole man, an integrated man that's filled with wisdom and peace, then he can move on to helping his family with that journey. But it must always begin with the self, in the mind where true freedom resides, then to ones family, or others seeking that wisdom. We must fix ourselves before we fix the world though. It won't happen until they are ready for some pain and suffering though. Once that happens, freedom is with a man wherever he is whither bound.

I will continue to pray for harmony among all men, though. That's never an arguing point for me. I would like to see the same thing. My son has autism and I see how he struggling with social interactions and it makes me sad, because he's 13, different, misunderstood , and left out for being different. Understanding and kindness goes a long way and I'd love to see more of it.