Free Speech is Free Choice

Submitted by M. Tovey (United States), Sep 17, 2012 at 17:06

To quote: "[i]t must be understood and stated to Muslims (and everyone else) everywhere, without any apology, that Freedom of Speech for free people "specifically means the right [t]o insult and annoy". It must be remembered that in this modern age, this is an observation that works best in the context of an American democratic forum; for 'free speech' is less appreciated in other environments that do not appreciate what America has meant to the world, both in the good context and in lesser opinions of contradiction. In actuality, free speech is not free and where it is practiced 'freely,' it came with a price. Further, it only works best where it is appreciated (and handled with tact and diplomacy); in this world's environment, it is not so easily embraced and is always the subject of controversy. Its expression in America has cost the lives of hundreds of thousands and it is still being paid for by sacrifice for its principle, because those who do not bear it will always seek its end.

Free speech direct towards religion is the worst of the offenses, for religion as practiced by the world is thin skinned and the sensitivity of the 'inner being' of the practitioner always operates in the humanistic application of religion and not the spiritual influences. Were Jesus Christ 'offended' at the religious comments directed towards Him at the cross, if He had taken the opposite offense, this world would not be here today. Indeed, His principle message of grace and mercy for virtually every offense save the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit was forgivable, a message lost in the religiosity of today's 'religions.' At the root of free speech is free choice, something of a spiritual nature also lost in the religiosity of this world's humanist rant against the things of Almighty God. Free choice exists in one decision and one decision only, all others costing in consequences of wrong choices. Deciding to have Jesus Christ enter into one's life and making Him LORD of their life is the only free choice an individual can make. This is the true concept at issue and the one the world struggles to be free of and yet cannot be made free, not by the individual's efforts and certainly not by religion.

America's first amendment guarantees its citizens freedom of speech in a way that exceeded the liberty of any other nation in modern history, the uniqueness of which has not been duplicated since, but is in fact under attack by not only opponents outside of America such as in the Middle East, but from with in as well by humanist/progressive interests in the political realm. Failing to protect its exercise is on the highway to slavery for any who do not let it live.

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