One of the pillars of democracy is freedom of speech, and freedom of speech affords the writer and/or the orator to bring to a public arena and propagate their personal views and opinion. Nevertheless, freedom of speech also demands responsibility of the writer/orator to the general public at large and those who are impacted negatively or positively. As a result the question to be asked when one steps into the public arena, is whether or not the freedom of speech that they choose to exercise is an offence by way of racism, bigotry or hatred of any other person, class or group persons.
The recent publication by Charlie hobo that triggered the murders in France of 15 people, was in response to imagery that was both racially offensive and religiously intolerant. Freedom of speech does not qualify us to say or write whatever we may wish, without firstly taking into consideration others who will be affected by what we may write or say.
Joyce Arthur wrote “A primary purpose of language is to communicate with others in order to influence them. If that weren’t so, there would be no multi-billion dollar advertising industry, no campaigns for political office, no motivational speakers or books, no citizen-led petitions, no public service announcements, and no church sermons, along with a myriad of other proven examples where speech leads others to act.”
When Jesus spoke about freedom, it wasn’t freedom to do as we wish, but it was freedom in consideration of others. When our freedom of speech is inconsiderate of others, it is no longer freedom of speech, but irresponsible.
In the Bible we read in Proverbs 18:21 ‘The tongue can bring death or life…’ The outcome of the this weeks events in France in the name of freedom of speech resulted in death.
This week, in the name of democracy and in the practice of freedom of speech, choose whether or not your freedom of speech will give life or death, and speak accordingly.