Free Speech

For your consideration….

I’ll be honest. I just don’t like the political hoopla; the ads in the mail, phone solicitations, bickering etc. But just because I don’t like it doesn’t mean I disagree with it. It doesn’t mean I don’t think it is necessary. It is. What I find frightening is “Political Correctness.” Political Correctness is a concept running rampant to shame people out of their personal opinions and shutting down free speech.

When this message came in, I immediately thought back to a conversation I had with my friend, Dianne, Christmas Eve. Politically we are probably as far apart as you can get but conceptually we are on the exact page. For the second time in one day someone was expressing concern for the United States. The first time was hearing Rev. Franklin Graham saying that he would no longer have a political party affiliation (I didn’t know he had one to begin with.) He said that he has grave concern for this country and he was going to every state capital to speak. He felt that if he is affiliated with a political party then half of the people will automatically dismiss him and shut him out. How sad is that?

If you are from an opposing side, you are dismissed or worse yet labeled. Politically correctness is designed to silence opposing views. How sad is it that we have come to a place in the United States of America where we are unwilling to listen to dissent or a view that does not coincide with our own?

Since when did we believe that one person, political party, group etc. was 100% correct all of the time. Do you remember your parents settling a dispute by telling you to “go work it out” or “If I have to settle it, you probably won’t like the solution?” I still use both of those statements with my students. I refuse to participate in raising whiny adults. I just won’t do it.

When did we lose the concept that there is nothing wrong with disagreement? When did we start believing that it wasn’t ok for everyone to say what they believe? When did we start believing that made them bad people? When did we stop believing that free speech means just that….free speech for everyone? When did we get so thin-skinned that we can’t tolerate that? When did we lose our courage to use our voice? When did we decide to let others cower us out of speaking up. When did we forget or think that our Bill of Rights and Constitution were optional? When did we forget the value of them? When did we forget all of the brave men and women who fought and sometimes gave the ultimate sacrifice for them?

We MUST use our voice. And we MUST respect that others must also. If we can’t listen, then we lose all chance of hearing. It is in the discussion and disagreements that we find ultimate solution.

If we do not stand up for the values of our soul, they will wither and die.

We have a new year coming up. Let’s leave the concept “politically correct” in the old year and begin anew living the way our God and our forefathers intended, speaking freely, listening to those who disagree and working together for the highest good of all.

That is the HOPE. And so it is.

Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take….

-Meditate/pray…ask…”What is my next step for my highest good and the highest good of all?”

-Drink lots of water.

-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.

-Speak from your heart….speak your truth.

What made me smile yesterday…..

-Lunch with my girls and grandchildren.

-Alex got her spaghetti dinner. We didn’t think we would get that in but we did.

-We did pretty well saying goodbye to her at the airport. We’ve done it worse before. It must have been all that pep talk.

-Catching up on some taped shows since I am going to lose them when the new Dish recorder gets  here. Bummer.

Love, Blessings and Gratitude,

Rev. Chris