When talking about straight edge, there are 3 things you can't get around: respect, equality and self-control. A lot of straight edgers might not use these terms but they'll probably say the same in other words.
Respect
The moment you decide to become straight edge, you choose to respect every living thing. In the first place your own body: for that reason straight edgers never
take drugs, drink alcohol or smoke any kind of tobacco. There's absolutely no way you can say you're a straight edger if you don't respect your own body.
On top of the above, another reason for not drinking, smoking or taking drugs is self-control. It takes away your ability to think clearly.
You might do things you'll regret or even worse: you might get behind the wheel and cause an accident.
Some people are able to stop on the right moment, but it's still a risk, if you take the risk you take the risk of hurting other people and yourself,
this again shows a lack of respect. Therefore straight edgers try never to lose their self-control.
On top of the above, another reason for not drinking, smoking or taking drugs is self-control. It takes away your ability to think clearly. You might do things you'll regret or even worse: you might get behind the wheel and cause an accident. Some people are able to stop on the right moment, but it's still a risk, if you take the risk you take the risk of hurting other people and yourself, this again shows a lack of respect. Therefore straight edgers try never to lose their self-control. This is the only "rule" to call yourself straight edge. Actually it's not really a rule, but if you don't agree with it, you clearly show you don't agree with the straight edge message. These things below aren't rules but they are common between straight edgers. Respect for your own body is not enough: it is expected you respect everything and everyone. For example:
- Respect for other people's property
- Respect for other people's opinion, never attack a person for his opinion. If you don't agree try reasoning in a polite way. Don't try to pull him or her to your side, just try to make him or her respect your opinion by making him or her understand it
- Respect for other people's religion, everyone should have the freedom and space to live their own religion in their own way
- Respect for other people's talents, never judge anyone because he is less good at something
- Respect for your partner: monogamy: 1 partner. No casual sex
Equality
First of all it's important to make perfectly clear what we mean by "equality". We are not saying all people are the same, obviously this is not reality.
Straight edgers believe that everyone is equally worth. Therefore, nobody is worth more than anyone else for any reason, including:
- wealth
- knowledge
- religion / lifestyle
- ...
Racism is absolutely not done. A lot of straight edgers are vegetarians or vegans, they do this because they are convinced that animals are also equally worth as humans. There's also equality between the two sexes: man and woman should be treated equally wherever possible. For that reason most straight edgers reject Catholicism: the catholic church has treated men better than woman. Woman have never had anything to say in the catholic hierarchy and we think this should change.
It's not "required" that you agree with all of these things, but they are guidelines a lot of other straight edgers use. They can help you get on the way.
Respect and equality are often symbolised by straight edgers. More about that on the symbols page.
