The Big Thankful

We are grateful for privileges so fundamentally "ours" that we think them to be rights.  Which they are, so long as we maintain them.

I am grateful today for freedom of speech.

A key understanding of the American Revolution is this oft-repeated and oft-modified fundamental:

"I despise your opinion but will defend to the death your right to speak it."

Is freedom only for my friend?  Is freedom of religious expression only for those who agree with me?  Some of those who came to these shores long ago immediately set up governments that would guarantee their own freedom, and suppress the free expression of conflicting views.  The founding fathers saw the thing more wisely.

I defend freedom. I like people who disagree with me, 'cause it challenges me to think more thoroughly.

But we live in a time when people who disagree may be ostracized, or ignored.  Or suffer at least the "rolling of the eyes and making of strange sounds", the social separation that creates peer pressure.

The defense of freedom begins with the receptive listening to people of different opinions.

And when it gets really good?  I am absolutely committed to the defense of freedom of speech for people with whom I disagree politically and theologically!  I WANT them to be on radio, on talk shows, writing books, and articles, having  maybe their own television shows.

Why?  Because I truly believe that the open expression of all the opinions lets everyone see for themselves where the truth lies.  The longer you listen, the more the false falls away.

Under it all, I believe God made it that way when He designed human nature.  It's not up to any select group to suppress opinions - - truth will out, and thank God for that!