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Posts Tagged ‘liberty’

Freedom to Speak, Freedom to Disagree

Posted in Citizenship, tagged , , on February 4, 2021| Leave a Comment »

(The following is a published letter-to-the-editor of the Iowa Falls Times Citizen, 1-27-21)

“Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation,” said Benjamin Franklin, “must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.”

Franklin also said, “Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as public liberty, without freedom of speech.”

With freedom of speech comes the freedom to disagree. This is foundational to a thriving republic.

A bright light shines for all when one person can speak thoughts and ideas in the public square (through a letter-to-the-editor or social media) and another person can exercise the right to kindly disagree.

It is good to have freedom of thought and speech in religion, but also science and history.

Two scientific thoughts may oppose one another; nevertheless, it is good to allow both thoughts to be heard and debated. For example, when discussing Covid-19 masking, lockdowns, and treatment, American citizens should be able to hear the scientific conclusions of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO), but also the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) and America’s Frontline Doctors.

Two perspectives of history may oppose one another; nevertheless, it is good to allow both to be heard and debated. American history is replete with mistakes, contradictions, and wrongs because we are people affected by our sinful nature. I am appalled by certain events in American history. But because they really happened, I believe we ought to know about them, learn from them, and be free to agree or disagree with them.

If you are a fan of The Waltons you might remember the episode when John Boy took a stand against the neighborhood “book burning” of Mein Kampf. He did not support Hitler’s way of thinking, but he did support freedom of thought and speech. Perhaps Jon Boy believed, like I do, that by knowing history we can learn how not to repeat atrocities of the past.

The American way—guaranteed by The Constitution and Bill of Rights—is freedom of thought, reasonable expression, and neighborly debate. People have fled the “thought police” of communist countries to become U.S. citizens who enjoy freedom of speech.

It is my prayer that we will desire free speech, welcome debate between those who agree or disagree, and preserve such liberty for our children and grandchildren.

Linda Bartlett

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What Is the Pursuit of Happiness?

Posted in Citizenship, Faith & Practice, Life issues, Vocation, tagged , , , , , , , , on August 11, 2011| Leave a Comment »

My husband and I believe in exercising our minds while enjoying a meal.  If at home, Paul grills.  I steam veggies, broil some garlic bread, and mix a salad.  Plates in hand, we settle by a window overlooking a forest of hickory and oak.  Or, on a less humid day, we move out onto the deck.  We discuss matters of family, theology, and culture.  At some point, we slip on our worldview glasses.  There are only two pair: God’s — and any other.

Family, theology and culture take on a different perspective depending upon one’s worldview.  The same is true with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

This Saturday is the Iowa Straw Poll.  I plan to go, not so much to cast a vote, but to meander through the crowd.  To listen.  Watch.  Learn which pair of glasses the people have chosen to wear.   Most eyes are focused on the economy.  But, my worldview tells me that our economic problems have deep moral roots.  America may be collapsing on itself because its worldview of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is hopeless.

Life.  Abortion fails to see the value of life created by God and redeemed at high price.  Abortion is about “me.”  “My” fears.  “My” needs.  It sees no future.  It acts in desperation.  Legalized abortion is a root cause of our social security and health care woes.  I have long been concerned that the babyboomers who ushered in abortion will be ushered out by euthanasia.

Liberty.  To worship at the altar of sexual freedom is to eventually loose religious freedom.  “Righteous” folk who “tell me” that I have no “right to liberated” behavior, but must instead practice self-control, are “bigoted” and “must be silenced”.

Pursuit of happiness.  Some Americans think we are entitled to happiness or the right to instant gratification.  But, wearing his worldview glasses, former Senator Rick Santorum disagrees.  We are, he says, “gifted with the pursuit of happiness.”

Santorum, speaking in my town earlier this week, asked, “What is the pursuit of happiness?  Is it doing what we want, or doing . . . .”  He paused, waiting for someone to finish the sentence.  From my place in the back of the room, I did so:  It’s doing “what we should (ought).”  Correct answer.  I think many in the audience agreed.  But, as citizens, have we correctly pursued happiness?

America has given its citizens the freedom to pursue happiness.  But, believing happiness to be “my right to do whatever I want,” leads us to pursue wrongly.  Selfishly.  Dangerously.  Right down a slippery slope into despair.

So, my husband and I remind each other to polish our worldview glasses.  Clarify hope and change.  Look for leaders who pursue not what they can, but what they should.  And, correct our own pursuit of happiness.

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