Free Also Means Responsibility
Freedom of express on an artistic, political and religious level are sacrosanct in order to keep everyone on their toes, including politicians, especially them, and those in leadership. However, As anyone who has read my blog etc..., listened to some of my songs, read my poetry knows I am not politically correct, nor will I ever aim to be so. Having said that, there are lines that should never be crossed in regards to these expressions in both words and actions unless it truly is in self defense or in defense of property and others who are in clear danger. The Bill of Rights and the exercise thereof, though they must be preserved in general and broad terms, come with great responsibility. I will defend the general right of the exercise thereof these amendments as given in the Constitution, general, not free for all. What do I mean by that?
A student wearing a "Jesus is Savior" "God Bless America" "God Bless My Homeland, Country, Freedom, The Constitution, "Give me Liberty or Give me Death" T-shirt, a yamaka, turban, a cross, scapular, and such is free speech, responsible free speech. However, someone wearing a T-shirt that has the Nazi symbol, with a picture of Hitler in his salute stance with heil underneath, or a KKK shirt that had a black man hanging from a noose is irresponsible speech and that needs to be addressed by the school, workplace because the association is one of mass murder in a way that in history has left enormous scars. Same if one wore a t-shirt that mocked Jesus or any major figure of a religious faith. Is that free speech? Yes. Is it responsible speech? No. Same goes for artists and politicians when they mock those of faith for being of faith, for mocking those of values different than theirs. Can one call out sins of individuals within faith communities? Absolutely. However to mock and slander etc... is irresponsible speech, and also to ask any faith group to change the core tenets of the faith, the main pillars, unless they severely harm a particular group, physically, is not Free Speech, but bullying. There are certain pillars of the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, etc... faiths, moral and theological pillars that can not be changed, as they are the core of that faith. It is within the right of those groups to be incorrect politically, without being irresponsible, like the Westboro Baptist Church has been, to stand by those moral tenets of faith no matter what anyone or society says at all times.
Free Speech etc.. as given in the Bill of Rights does not give permission for anyone to be irresponsible with their speech, push for violence, but doesn't mean we have to be muzzled or politically correct either.
Shalom and Amen
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