As an American, I am used to hearing people say they are for freedom. Freedom is a word that must have a context. What freedoms do you support? Do you really support any freedoms of those with whom you disagree? Freedom can not be an abstract idea. It must have a context in the real world to mean anything.
I believe we have been given God-given or born-with rights/freedoms. Among the most important are the freedoms of thought, speech, and religion. But for these freedoms to be real, they must be defended and practiced. Those activities take COURAGE.
If you think for yourself you will come in conflict with those who insist everyone think like them. It takes courage to defend and practice independent thought. Without that courage we will let others do our thinking for us…usually a very bad idea.
Freedom of speech is under assault by those intolerant who insist that only their way of speaking is acceptable. They are vile and contemptible if they want to take away your freedom of speech. It does NOT matter if they call themselves by good names Political Correctness, Black Lives Matter, etc. if these names mask intolerance and a threat to your freedom of speech. They must be resisted if you are to remain a free person, free to speak your mind. It will require courage.
Freedom of religion, especially Christianity is under assault. To be brave enough to practice Biblical Christianity will require the courage to defend and practice the first freedoms I discussed, the freedom of thought, and the freedom of speech. Christians must not be afraid of what non-Christian say or they will lose their way and practice someone else’s idea of what Christianity should be. And that too will take courage.
Whether or not we lose our freedoms has less to do with what others do and more on our commitment and courage.
Tim's Positive Place 