Editor’s note: This op-ed is by Bob Stannard, an author and former lawmaker. He is a lobbyist for Vermont Citizens Action Network, a group that opposes the relicensure of Vermont Yankee.

They were on a mission when they arrived and donned their bright yellow stickers declaring their position. The man from Oregon, George Eighmey, a former State Representative turned advocate, was outnumbered 10 to one.

As is generally the case with any issue, those who oppose are much more likely to get involved than those who support. That is the nature of man. Those who think something is a good idea tend to do so in the privacy of their own home. They don’t have the motivation to get off the couch, brave the weather (and their neighbors) and go out to a meeting to learn more. They probably don’t care to speak out.

But it is their inaction that oftentimes provides undesirable results. By the time they figure that out it is usually too late.

The question for the evening was whether or not the individual should have the freedom to determine how best to end his or her life after being diagnosed with an incurable and terminal disease that will end life within six months. The opponents call it suicide. The proponents call it “Death with Dignity.”

Things get sticky when others want to impose their religious and/or moral beliefs on others.

One of the people in the crowd, proudly displaying his yellow badge of opposition stood up and emphatically stated: “We have too much government in our lives. We need to get government out of our lives. We don’t need this law.”

Mr. Eighmey responded that he couldn’t agree more. “It is government that is interfering with your freedom to choose. A law is necessary to get government off your back.” The opponent appeared confused and sat down.

An older woman wearing a yellow sticker rose to say, “People who are dying of a terminal illness most likely have a bottle of Tylenol PM in their medicine cabinet. Why don’t they just take that? We don’t need this law”.

“Presumably, one who is dying is bedridden and unable to go to his or her medicine cabinet. Therefore, without a doctor’s supervision, someone would have to bring this medicine to them and this person would be an accessory to murder. That’s OK with you? The patient would probably not die from an overdose of Tylenol, but they could bleed profusely. Is that what we want?”

Another man rose to ask why couldn’t the patient just use a gun? Eighmey responded saying, “So I understand, you are opposed to a dying patient drinking glass of liquid medicine that would induce a coma within a few minutes, cause death quickly and allow the patient to leave peacefully; surrounded by family and loved ones. Yet you support that same patient using his or her last ounce of strength to splatter blood and brains all over the wall for the family and loved ones to clean up.”

That person also sat down. I understand how one’s religious or moral beliefs may very well conflict with the issues regarding the end of life. The same feelings may be felt toward the freedom to marry act allowing those of the same sex to marry. That issue also collides with the tightly held religious beliefs of many people. I respect those who hold these strong religious beliefs, which may run counter to my own. I have no desire to impose my strongly held beliefs on any other person. In my eyes you are free to choose to do whatever it is you want to do, as long as you do not impose upon me. I’m a Vermonter and that’s pretty much how Vermonters think. Generally speaking they could care less what you do, or who you do it with, as long as you mind your own business.

However, things get sticky when others want to impose their religious and/or moral beliefs on others. They don’t want someone to marry the person they love of the same sex, because they find it disturbing or contrary to their beliefs. They don’t want someone else to have the freedom to control the final, painful moments of his or her life, because their religious beliefs dictate that they are supposed to suffer.

It’s not easy living in a free country. One person’s freedom may impact another’s. We have existed for 250 years guided by laws designed to protect our individual freedoms. We are also very much a Christian nation and sometimes freedom of religion sometimes clashes with freedom from religion.

Death with Dignity is one of those times and the remedies are pretty clear. If you don’t believe you have the right to end your life with dignity then don’t end your life with dignity. If you don’t believe you should marry someone of the same sex then don’t marry someone of the same sex.

What you choose to believe is your business. What I choose to believe is my business. Let’s make a deal. I’ll mind my own business if you’ll do the same. I won’t hurt you. You promise not to hurt me. Then, and only then, can we say that we live in freedom.