Freedom for all involves tolerance

rev. guy bongiovanni

The venerable old bell in Independence Square is not the original Liberty Bell, nor is its signature crack the first. The original split from top to bottom during a test sounding.

Only after a second and third casting by John Dock Pass & Jon Stow of Philadelphia, who added an alloy to strengthen its metal, was it finally hung in the steeple of the State House in June 1753. It broke once more as it rang in honor of George Washington’s birthday on Feb. 22, 1846.

The scarred icon of American freedom is a strong reminder that freedom cannot for long be proclaimed throughout the land if the metal is not right and if the ingredient alloys required for its strength are missing. In a parallel way the bell, silently but eloquently, also suggests the freedoms it represents can be diminished and destroyed should we carelessly deplete from our society the intangible ingredients of love, respect, tolerance and forgiveness which have given freedom its staying power in America.

It’s easy to demand First Amendment rights to shout or say how, when, where and what one wants without regard for others. But society pays enormously for such unbridled self-interest.

Whether or not — and to what degree — there should be restrictions on expression in a free society is an idea that will be debated for a long time. But it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out it’s not smart to yell, “Fire!” in a crowded theater, even if it is technically “constitutional!”

When one disrespectfully raises his voice to drown out another’s voice, or misconstrues another’s preferences and personal convictions “on face” as “hate speech” just because they are different from one’s own — however well-intended — he denies others the right of expression he demands for himself and negates the virtues that give freedom its strength. That’s not the kind of liberty the bell was cast to “proclaim throughout the land.”

Common sense suggests what is legal might not always be appropriate. Paul the Apostle was the most verbal New Testament advocate for freedom. Yet, even he reminds us that while “all things are lawful … all things are not profitable.” (1 Corinthians 6:12). His call is to self-denial, restraint and concern for others even in the most mundane things of life (Romans 14).

Scripture clearly tells us “life and death are in the power of the tongue,” so one must be careful how he expresses himself. Freedom of speech is a delicate gift entrusted to us for use with discretion.

Homosexuals, pro-choicers and atheists indeed have a right to free speech; so do pro-lifers, heterosexuals and evangelicals. But none of these factions has a right to demean a person, destroy his properties and disregard the virtues of civil society.

It’s unthinkable in polite society that a high-ranking member of a president’s staff might publicly thumb his nose at a predecessor president no matter how much he was disliked; or for media to blatantly indulge prurient appetites with scripts tainted by four-letter words and demeaning nudity; or for dissenters to ride the edge of freedom with intimidating, raucous behavior.

Are such liberties constitutionally protected? Of course they are. Are they in the best interest of society? Of course they’re not!

Something is radically wrong with that brand of freedom. And most people seem to instinctively know it. Passion about our beliefs is understandable. But we can’t ignore that unbridled liberties put us on a very slippery slope.

Indeed, Scripture informs us — if not warns us — “There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, abusive, without natural affection … without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

It’s not a pretty picture – and no surprise some see in it the markings of an apocalyptic era.

There is “a more excellent way” to exercise one’s freedom of speech. It’s not based on law and it embraces the virtues of love, respect, tolerance, forgiveness and the good of one’s neighbor — the stuff that strengthens the metal of freedom. Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Lech Walesa are among its champions.

Certainly, the ills of society must be confronted. But they must be confronted respectfully and redemptively rather than arrogantly and violently. Intimidation and fear are the tools of tyrants and the methods of mobs. Our Christian heritage calls Americans to a higher ethic for action and persuasion. If we get it right, we will survive. If we don’t, God help us!

Old Liberty hangs silently in Independence Square. Her voice was silenced not by how she looked, but by what she lacked! What was missing killed it. And now the crack in her side calls out to us in precautionary quietness.

Exercise free speech — that’s our constitutional right.

But we don’t ignore those virtues that bring staying power to that right — that’s just common sense.

Hopefully, we can rise above what is simply legal, and let freedom ring throughout the land with love, respect, forgiveness, tolerance and peaceful dialogue.

If this sounds too simplistic, think of the alternatives. The stakes are very high. Cool heads must prevail. So help us God.

XThe Rev. Guy BonGiovanni, who holds a doctor of ministry degree from Logos Graduate School in Jacksonville, Fla., is president of Life Enrichment Ministries Inc., Canfield.