In today’s America, we care more about approved speech, sanctioned speech, politically correct speech than we do about free speech. That’s the unpalatable truth.
Every time someone offends our sensibilities, we act as if a crime has been committed.
We would rather be “protected” from speech we don’t like, and we would rather silence and cancel dissenting voices, than live in a society where everyone can give their opinion — even if our feelings might get hurt.
And who gets to “protect” us? The bureaucrats and politicians, of course.
I’m not saying you should be the guy or gal who deliberately tries to give offense.
But here’s the thing: there’s a pretty good chance someone out there will take offense to anything you think or say — even if you’re not trying to give offense.
And even if someone deliberately tries to give you offense, it doesn’t mean you have to take it.
How novel! Taking offense is a choice you make, not someone else.
Is it wrong for Christians to get involved in politics or public governance?
Some in the political community will tell you the Constitution requires you to keep your religion to yourself. Some in the religious community will tell you it’s pointless to get involved.
“The world is going to hell in a hand basket,” they say, “So why rearrange the deck chairs on a sinking ship? The only thing that matters is saving souls and to escape this world to go to heaven. Everything else is a distraction.”
All of that is nonsense: ignorance of the Constitution on one hand, and a Platonized perversion of the gospel on the other.
Christians have every right to speak out on any issue, for any reason, whether the government, the left, or the right like it or not.
Learn to speak the truth with confidence and without vulgarities or personal attacks.
If you resort to name calling and ad hominem attacks (a frequent go-to for politicians), you’ve already lost, showing yourself as insecure and weak on the issues.
Be bold. Be brave. Articulate truth. It’s okay to say something unpopular if you’re speaking the truth boldly. You’ll earn more respect and embolden others.
And if you’re a Christian, you have every right — and obligation — to live out your faith publicly and openly, declaring truth. Religion has never been just a private matter, no matter what current culture may say.
You can speak out, invoke your faith at public meetings, and proclaim it at government functions, whether officials like it or not. Don’t be obnoxious, don’t be fake, and don’t be a coward. Jesus is King. Proclaim it. Live it.
The government has no authority to question the legitimacy of your faith.
In fact, the Constitution expressly forbids it.
Separation of church and state does not mean your rights are limited. It means the authority of the government is limited.
Tyrants will manipulate the law to threaten or subjugate you, but citizens must resist.
The Constitution recognizes citizens as the ones entrusted with expansive freedoms, while government powers are restricted for our benefit. A tyrant is anyone — left or right — who attempts to silence you, usurp authority, or empower themselves at the expense of others.
Consider Paul in Acts 23. He was arrested, falsely accused, and struck in the mouth - an attempt at silencing him.
He responded sharply, invoking God’s law of retaliation: “God shall strike you, you whited wall!”
But when told it was the high priest who ordered the blow, Paul admitted his mistake, quoting Exodus: “You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people.”
Paul respected the office, even when the ruler was unjust. He was bold, but he was also humble enough to own his error.
That’s the example for us.
Christians must defend truth without becoming jerks for Jesus.
Boldness must be paired with humility and love.
Respect the office, but reserve the right to tell the present holder of the office that he or she is out of line.
Free speech is under siege, but it remains the cornerstone of truth, faith, and civic life.
Citizens — especially Christians — must resist tyranny, reject hypersensitivity, and defend the right of all to speak. Truth is not afraid of examination.
You don’t have to like what someone says to defend their right to say it.
In fact, that’s the whole point. In a room full of children, someone needs to act like an adult. Make sure that person is you.
Scott Clem can be reached at: ScottClem@Live.com
