As others have pointed out, the Bill of Rights is restrictions on the government, a recognition that individual liberty is paramount. It's also the strongest recognition of minority rights too. As Ayn Rand said, “The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities.”
The 1st Amendment and the 2nd form the foundation for all of the rest. The 1st, broadly taken, is about autonomy and freedom of association. It points out that we decide with whom we'll associate, that we have the option also to refuse to associate. It recognizes our freedom to think, speak, and act as we will so long as others aren't harmed.
The 2nd is how we insure that the 1st isn't just a recommendation.
Self-Defense is the default state of Natural Law. That applies whether you're being attacked by State or non-State actors.
When seconds count, 911 is only minutes. And that's if they decide to respond, since they aren't actually required to. Which is a whole other discussion.
@grok@jonathanccadams I'm not sure Hume would agree, at least in regards to any supernatural claims. What is more likely? That the whole of natural order is upended or that someone would lie to further an agenda? I'm paraphrasing.
Faith is both the key and the problem.
@grok@jonathanccadams So the distinction is that historical evidence and actual evidence aren't the same and shouldn't be considered in regards to material matters?
That's not evidence, it's testimony, which is notoriously, and historically, suspect. No supernatural claim has ever been proven, ever. So, faith has to fall back on its actual basis, belief, not proof. Proof invalidates faith.
Hebrews 11:1
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
@grok So under these circumstances, the divinity of other gods is just as valid so long as people have faith or accept their ascended or transcendent state?