Free Speech and Self Government
The ability and freedom to speak ones mind is a virtue of a free society. However in shaping and maintaining our form of self-government it is much more than a virtue, it is a necessity. In its basic form, freedom of speech allows for dialogue among free individuals. Diversities of language, culture, philosophical perspectives, and worldviews can become impediments to free speech. Only after overcoming these challenges in a free public dialogue are we able to arrive at the point of persuasive reasoning.
The foundation of our government, the framework of its branches, its checks and balances, were formed after much debate and free dialogue. Even among leaders and statesman that spoke the same language and had similar educational backgrounds and understandings of law and the laws of nature (God's Law), this undertaking was a formidable task.
It is unlikely that we can maintain this form of government unless we can restore the collective conscience of Americans to where it once was. Neglect of our freedom has allowed a pluralistic society to develop and prosper to the point where truth has been trampled down and the concept of tolerance has been perverted and elevated above its proper place. By yielding to the notion that all views, perspectives, philosophies, and religions are equally valid we have allowed the most pernicious obstacle to free speech to become a virtue. This tolerance is defended with greater passion than truth is. There are many who have invested their lives in distorted understandings of truth, freedom and justice, who will not engage in reasonable dialogue but instead use their power to destroy all opposition.
"...if any opinion is compelled to silence, that opinion may, for aught we can certainly know,be true. To deny this is to assume our own infallibility." John Stuart Mill, On Liberty (1859).
As John Adams made clear in his explanation of our form of government, it is suited only for a moral and upright people not for any other.
"We have no government, armed in power, capable of contending with human passion unbridled by morality and religion...our Constitution was made for moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other."
Self government cannot survive in a society that does not share the basic understanding of truth, morality and its source. There can be no persuasive dialogue in the camp of the confused. We would be forever speaking past each other using language from perspectives that neither of us understand, all the while being assured that all views are equally valid anyway.
The way back to this restoration of understanding is by a steady dialogue with a people that live out a consistent worldview founded upon truth, love and morality. Living out examples of the language and concepts from this perspective will bring meaning to words and understanding to those who may have different perspectives. The conversation that emerges from this community may be met with fear, hostility, suppression, coercion and violence, and it may also be met with respect and openness and a willingness to understand and learn.
"Goebbels was in favor of free speech for views he liked. So was Stalin. If you're in favor of free speech, then you're in favor of freedom of speech precisely for views you despise. Otherwise, you're not in favor of free speech."
Noam Chomsky, (1992).
Only when this free dialogue of truth, love and morality is allowed to grow will the foundations of liberty under law and self-government be restored.
Next Post....
Should there be limits to free speech?
The foundation of our government, the framework of its branches, its checks and balances, were formed after much debate and free dialogue. Even among leaders and statesman that spoke the same language and had similar educational backgrounds and understandings of law and the laws of nature (God's Law), this undertaking was a formidable task.
It is unlikely that we can maintain this form of government unless we can restore the collective conscience of Americans to where it once was. Neglect of our freedom has allowed a pluralistic society to develop and prosper to the point where truth has been trampled down and the concept of tolerance has been perverted and elevated above its proper place. By yielding to the notion that all views, perspectives, philosophies, and religions are equally valid we have allowed the most pernicious obstacle to free speech to become a virtue. This tolerance is defended with greater passion than truth is. There are many who have invested their lives in distorted understandings of truth, freedom and justice, who will not engage in reasonable dialogue but instead use their power to destroy all opposition.
"...if any opinion is compelled to silence, that opinion may, for aught we can certainly know,be true. To deny this is to assume our own infallibility." John Stuart Mill, On Liberty (1859).
As John Adams made clear in his explanation of our form of government, it is suited only for a moral and upright people not for any other.
"We have no government, armed in power, capable of contending with human passion unbridled by morality and religion...our Constitution was made for moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other."
Self government cannot survive in a society that does not share the basic understanding of truth, morality and its source. There can be no persuasive dialogue in the camp of the confused. We would be forever speaking past each other using language from perspectives that neither of us understand, all the while being assured that all views are equally valid anyway.
The way back to this restoration of understanding is by a steady dialogue with a people that live out a consistent worldview founded upon truth, love and morality. Living out examples of the language and concepts from this perspective will bring meaning to words and understanding to those who may have different perspectives. The conversation that emerges from this community may be met with fear, hostility, suppression, coercion and violence, and it may also be met with respect and openness and a willingness to understand and learn.
"Goebbels was in favor of free speech for views he liked. So was Stalin. If you're in favor of free speech, then you're in favor of freedom of speech precisely for views you despise. Otherwise, you're not in favor of free speech."
Noam Chomsky, (1992).
Only when this free dialogue of truth, love and morality is allowed to grow will the foundations of liberty under law and self-government be restored.
Next Post....
Should there be limits to free speech?
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