Free Speech: Is it for Christians?
by
Kerry Hedden
Living in America provides certain freedoms that many
take for granted. One of those freedoms is the right to free speech. We
expect to be able to speak our minds without fear of persecution or
prosecution. But do Christians truly have the right to free speech? Will
they be able to retain that right in the coming years?
By the very definition, free speech would include the right to say
things that are not popular with all who hear it. Lately, though, it
seems that some would like to take away the rights of Christians to
speak their minds on certain issues. This should stir concern in
everyone, not just Christians.
While it seems to be perfectly acceptable to call fundamental Christians
“lunatics” and “maniacs” the same people who hurl such insults take
issue with the rights of Christians to speak out about what they feel is
moral. In their minds, to call sin “sin” is hate speech. To have an
opinion homosexuality, abortion and other issues can mark one as a
hatemonger and there are many people who would like to strip Christians
of their rights to express such opinions.
If you need evidence of this, just visit any college campus. While
homosexual students can have “gay day” and campus wide coming out
parties, Christian students are not allowed to protest such activity.
Why is that? If homosexuals have rights – and they do – why do
Christians not have those same rights?
If Christians don’t start standing up for their rights NOW, it won’t be
long before those who oppose your free speech will be successful in
their attempts to stop you from saying anything that they don’t agree
with.
Whatever your opinion may be about homosexuality, certainly any
reasonable person would agree that you have a RIGHT to that opinion.
Acts of violence or aggression should are always wrong and should be
punished, but the right to simply state an opinion – whether via a sign
or verbally – needs to be protected.
You, as Christian Americans, have the right to call abortion a sin. I am
concerned that young Christians don’t understand that. They have heard
their whole lives about the rights of homosexuals and the rights of
other groups, but is anyone teaching them about their rights to express
themselves about what they think is right and wrong?
Christians have the right to think that God’s Word is opposed to
homosexuality. You have a right to think that people who engage in sin
will be punished by the Creator. The thought of not being able to speak
such opinions should scare you.
There are people who demand “equal rights” for homosexuals. Members of
this group understand that they have a right to find happiness in any
way they choose. Why then do they have difficulty grasping the idea that
Christians are entitled to those same rights?
You don’t have to agree with the life they have chosen. You don’t have
the right to hurt them or harass them, but you DO have the right to
disagree with them. It does not make you a hate monger if you say
“homosexuality is a sin.” You should not be charged with a hate crime
for holding a sign that says “abortion is murder.” It’s an opinion, and
in this country you are allowed to have and express your opinion.
Gay rights groups claim they just want the same rights as heterosexuals.
It seems many want much more than that. They want the right to never
have to hear or see evidence that others disagree with them, and that’s
asking way too much.
Giving others the right to never be uncomfortable would mean that
Christians would lose their rights to practice they way they believe.
Soon, you won’t even be able to invite someone to church because to do
so would imply that the person you are inviting may need God in their
life.
Stand up, and do it now. If Christians don’t defend their right to free
speech, then you may find yourself living in a place where you are
forced to hide what you believe while those in sin become the only
audible voice for morality in this country.
About the Author
The web site given by Kerry is not active.