What is freedom of speech?
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In My Humble Opinion
Jodi McDade
The founders of our great nation were from many different backgrounds, different countries, different religious beliefs, different colonies, and different ages. But they somehow came together to first provide us with a Declaration of Independence establishing our “inalienable rights” and stating we are all created equal – both given to us from our Creator. After a war fought to establish our freedoms, our great Constitution was developed to guarantee our rights as American citizens.
Many of these great men did not think that the Constitution went far enough in spelling out these rights so they added what is known as the Bill of Rights, and they became amendments (additions) to the Constitution. The very FIRST of those amendments provided us with the freedom of religious beliefs; the freedom for us to speak our minds and for the press to report events; the freedom for people to gather peacefully; and the freedom for citizens to take grievances to the government. Each of these provided us with FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
But nowhere in this did it say that others had to approve of what we say, agree with what we do, agree on how we act, or any of our personal “inalienable rights.” It did give us the freedom to make our own decisions, but it also gave everyone else the same freedom.
With that, we all have to accept the good and the bad consequences that might come with our actions. Unfortunately, we have lost the ability to be civil to people we don’t agree with. And there are always two sides to every story. Even two different people witnessing the same event may see things from conflicting angles.
But, if we sit down together and calmly discuss what those different views are, we might find out that they both are either correct or incorrect. The same goes for things we hear – we might interpret something just by the tone of the voice.
Haven’t most of us found at some point in time that we change our opinions, our way of looking at things, or even our likes and dislikes? I know my thoughts, ideas, interests, and way of thinking today are very different than when I was in high school, when I got married and when I had a child. Some of them are even different from a couple of years ago!
So what changed? Maybe I researched something to find out more about it. Maybe I became more interested in a topic. Maybe I talked with someone with a differing view. Maybe I even talked with someone I didn’t know and realized we actually agreed with each other.
One of the main reasons for most of the different opinions goes to the media and how they report “news.” The majority of all news broadcasters are only sharing the opinions of the outlet or their own opinions. They are not facts. It is all propaganda from one side or the other. The difficult part is how are we supposed to know what is correct and what is politicized? Even the video clips can be edited to put forward a specific opinion.
It’s very difficult to know what to believe and what not to believe. Unfortunately, the downside to freedom of speech is that there is no requirement for truthfulness or verification. It is up to us to question everything before we make a final decision on what we think is the truth.
And one of the very best ways to do that is to have open discussions with people of differing views. One-on-one conversations are great, but group discussions can also be helpful. The more views that can be explored, the better the potential of digging down to a close connection to the truth.
I wish we could stop isolating ourselves from each other and find ways to open our minds to each other. Open debates like the ones Charlie Kirk held were the perfect way to share opinions – questions and answers, pros and cons, but in a civil manner. We lost a man who was not only trying to share opinions, but to also bring people to Christ. The full truth is only known through a belief in God, and too many people today have never been exposed to it. What was a voice of one will now be the voices of millions.
I had been considering taking time away from writing my column. Sometimes I feel like I am talking to a wall – but then I have someone whisper “great column!” The assassination of Charlie Kirk caused me to reconsider my plans because I realized my main theme has always been to encourage all of you to stand up and speak out.
Stop the whispering, come out of the shadows, speak your mind. I’m going to try to find a way to call us all out to become more vocal, more engaged and more active in our communities and country. If you see me on the street, feel free to stop and have a conversation. Let’s take advantage of the most important freedom we have – THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
Please join the revival that is now going on in our country and around the world. The best one thing we should be able to agree on is our belief in God and Jesus Christ. They are the only path for humanity, forgiveness and eternity. God, please bless our towns, counties, states, and country and open our hearts to each other.
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