The Best of Freedom of Speech and Liberty - Freedom of Choice

Submitted by M. Tovey (United States), Mar 10, 2008 at 15:44

We read from our fellow reader, "I am constantly witnessing the cry from disbelievers that Muslims are against their liberty, freedom of speech and much more." This question is asked,."what is liberty and freedom of speech?" Along with this question is a convincingly damning argument of things presented as 'liberty' and 'freedom of speech.'

Unfortunately, because the ideas of liberty and freedom of speech are from societies that allow not only citizens, but aliens to practice 'freedoms' in an open forum, the abuses that are mentioned are sometimes found and permitted as well in order to permit that other 'intolerable' intangible of a free society, equality. Admittedly, these are inconsistent with Islamic ideology, and further, shari'a law.

We can presume that these questions are asked because the concept of freedom (which translates loosely as liberty) is not understood by any who were not born to it, or were not taught the value of it in the formative years. It is not a concept easily learned, but must be lived with for its appreciation. Taught in truth, freedom and liberty become necessary in order to achieve the full appreciation of another aspect of free society, free choice. Again, these are inconsistent with Islamic ideology, and further, shari'a law. We know this because history tells us that the Islamic Prophet pursued his quest to dominate the world with his vision of Islam, that those that did not submit to Islam were dealt punishment for not following the Islamic Prophet. The choice was to submit, or die.

Freedom of choice in a free society has a different set of blessings and consequences. In true Christianity, one can choose to be a follower of Yeshua HaMashiach, the Son of David, for example, and as any true believer of that faith, there is true freedom and liberty, and the freedom of speech to tell of the Gospel of Yeshua HaMashiach. In shari'a law, there is no such freedom; indeed in many Muslim societies, to speak of the Gospel is tantamount to speaking against the Islamic Prophet, thus incurring the wrath of Islam. Death is quickly pronounced for this infraction of freedom of speech.

It follows closely, that there is no liberty for such things in shari'a law, there being no freedom of speech or liberty in true Muslim ideology, and therefore without true understanding, one that does not understand it cannot make the distinction between true freedom of speech and liberty and the careless abuses that are so easily associated and misconnected with them.

Therein lies the true choice. Where does one choose freedom of speech, or liberty? It comes from making the right choice in truth and experiencing the liberty that free choice brings. Do not confuse and be absorbed with the abuses and think those can be practiced without consequences. Mansoor is right about that, that consequences are waiting for the practice of abuses, felonious and petty. But the right to choose to do right under the freedoms found in free societies, and to choose to follow Yeshua HaMashiach are consequences of a better sort, and that is the best expression of the freedom of choice.

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