Despite the overwhelming negativity many people have expressed towards the United States in the past few months, however justified or unjustified, we remain an extremely blessed country. One of those blessings is the right to freedom of speech. It is this right which has given us the freedom to be negative or express dissent in the first place. However, if we are to call ourselves Christians we must realize this right is superseded by the responsibility of free speech.
There have been many exceptions to our American right throughout history, starting with the Alien and Sedition Acts at the turn of the 18th century, part of which was later revised and codified as justification for Japanese and German internment camps during World War I. The 20th century also saw heavy use of the Espionage Act against dissenters of war and other acts of foreign policy. People were prosecuted and convicted on the grounds of posing a “clear and present danger” for as little as throwing antiwar pamphlets out a window. Americans are just as bold, if not even bolder in expressing their opinions today, especially with the outlet of social media. If such laws were enforced as widely today as they were then, the majority of Americans would most likely be considered criminals.
In recent decades, discussion surrounding free speech has turned to international agreements and legislation prohibiting ‘hate speech,’ which is defined as “any advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.” Despite these regulations and the success of domestic laws in other countries, the stance of the United States appears to be against such laws because of its understanding of freedom of speech. For better or for worse, the constitutionality and real-life effectiveness of hate speech laws is still up for debate.
No matter where one falls in this debate, surely something must exist to uphold any personal convictions to treat each other with dignity across boundaries of race, ethnicity, religion, or gender, and to allow us to hold each other accountable for the things we say. Such a law does exist, but not in the realm of politics. It exists in the law of Christ. The whole biblical story is one of inclusion and defense of human dignity, and we should not forget that as gentiles, we all would be lost if it wasn’t. The Bible also specifically addresses how we should speak. For example, Ephesians 4:29 says “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Striving to follow Christ means that our words should come from a place of love and should be used to build up each other and the Kingdom.
Perhaps we need to rethink our understanding of the phrase “free speech.” Even though it places limitations on what we can say, the Bible is all about free speech, but in the sense that words have the power to set people free. Romans 8:1-2 says “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” When people cry out to the Lord, he frees them from fear, guilt, oppression, prejudice, and hate. With one word he frees them from physical and spiritual disability and tells them to get up and walk. With the Spirit of Christ in us, we have the power to do the same. Instead of being inebriated with our right to freedom of speech, we should be honored by our responsibility to speech of freedom.
Does this mean that we forgo some of our American rights as Christians? I think it does. And I think freedom of speech is only one example. But if we consider ourselves blessed by our freedoms in the United States, how much more will we be blessed by acting for the Kingdom of God? I know that in my own life, my allegiance falls to the Kingdom first.
But I cannot speak for all Christians, and Christians certainly cannot speak for everyone in this country. Therefore, we should do our best to defend freedom of speech. Clearly there are many dangers if we don’t keep a watchful eye on its protection, and we have a lot to learn by listening to different opinions. However, we must also be careful that in defending someone’s right to freedom of speech we are not also defending hatred, discrimination, or messages that are damaging to anyone’s freedoms as a child of God.