Tension

There is a tension between individual liberty and collective morality.  When people choose to live together in society, their is an implied social contract that considers the juxtaposition of the complete and total liberty of the individual within the context of a need for societal cohesion.  Each individual within the society needs to consider his or her position within that society and its collective cohesion.

When the individual feels that society has limited his or her freedom beyond what is tolerable, then the individual should have the right to secede from that society.  However, in order to foster a society that is open to a large membership, such as a city, state or country, the society should attempt to maximize the freedoms of the individual, including morals, values and standards.

This must be in keeping though with the idea of self-control and the idea that no harm can be done to another in the pursuit of individual freedom.  Libertarianism is not the same as libertinism.

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.  1 Corinthians 10:23

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.  1 Peter 2:16