World News Through the Third Lens: Free Speech and the First Amendment

Free speech is a right that must be used with wisdom said the headline in an editorial by Kent Bush, of GateHouse News Service, May 4, 2010. Don't let the date bother you - the applications are timeless. Mr. Bush states: "There is a fine line between a tool and a weapon. A hammer is a very useful tool. Few structures would be built without one. But in a fit of rage, a hammer can be used in a gruesome attack." He goes on to state that the First Amendment gives all Americans the right to free speech, and that like a hammer, most applications are beneficial.

While espousing the value of the First Amendment, Mr. Bush wishes that more people would use this basic right with more restraint and wisdom. He says, "The difference is one of can and should. He points out the work of Matt Stone and Trey Parker in their crudely drawn and written cartoon, "South Park" as something that constantly pushes the bounds of decency, with mockery, blasphemy and obscenity in almost every episode. Recently they took a swipe at Islam by making a not so flattering depiction of the prophet Muhammad, just to show that they could.

A website called revolutionmuslim.com posted a poorly veiled threat saying that Parker and Stone might end up like Dutch Filmmaker, Theo Van Gogh - dead. So the South Park episode went in the tank. In response, Molly Norris, and artist from Seattle declared May 20 to be celebrated as "Everyone Draw Muhammad Day." She has since stated she is not involved with this any more. We may have freedom to speak, but words - like actions - often have consequences. Bush concludes his editorial with these words: "You have to choose wisely if you should say everything you can say. (My note: Today's issue of the Norwich Bulletin ran a blurb that Comedy Central was developing a cartoon series that would be titled "J.C." depicting Christ as a "regular guy" who moves to New York to "escape his father's enormous shadow." I think a typical Christian response to insult is seen by most people as being a polar opposite to an Islamic response to insult.)

Through the third lens of Scripture: The Bible has a lot to say about our manner of speech. I good place to start would probably be the Golden Rule. "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12) The Bible tells us that "We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check....The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and itself set on fire by hell." (James 3:2,6)

As Christians find themselves aligned with Conservatives and Tea Partiers on many issues, we must be careful not to pick up on hurtful and defaming rhetoric. If there are things wrong in government, society, culture or even the church, we should "Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose (reprove) them." (Ephesians 5:11) If we, as followers of Christ, feel we must engage in such activities, "Let your speech be always seasoned with salt, that you may know how you should answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) We should remember and apply the words of wisdom from David and Solomon: "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies." (Psalms 34:13) "He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." (Proverbs 13:3) Although much more could be written on this topic, we'll close with words from James, the brother of Jesus. "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." (James 1:26). The First Amendment grants us freedom, not license.