Liberty doesn’t exclude civility

Probably few Americans know the bell in Independence Square is not the original Liberty Bell, nor is its signature scar the first.

The original bell cast in March of 1753 by Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London split from top to bottom during a test sounding.

It was hung in the steeple of the State House in June 1753 after a second and third casting by John Dock Pass & Jon Stow of Philadelphia, who added an alloy to strengthen its metal.

After a brief but eventful history, the bell unfortunately broke once more as it tolled in honor of George Washington’s birthday on Feb. 22, 1846.

Now on display in Philadelphia, the scarred bell remains as a strong reminder of American freedom.

It silently, but eloquently, bears witness that the liberty it represents can be diminished and destroyed should we ignore the intangible ingredients that give freedom its staying power.

It’s easy to demand First Amendment rights to shout or say how, when, where and what one wants without regard for others, even if he is a minority of one in a society of 300 million people, or if lives are endangered.

But one thing is sure: Imbalanced freedom is very pricey. Unbridled selfishness costs big time!

When one disrespectfully and violently raises his voice to overwhelm the voice and rights of another, or misconstrues another’s preferences and personal convictions “on face” as “hate” speech just because they are different from one’s own, he denies others the right of expression he demands for himself and negates the virtues that give freedom her strength.

That’s not the kind of liberty the Bell was cast to “ring throughout the land.”

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 expedient [profitable]” (1 Corinthians 6:12).

The well-being of others always restrained his personal preferences.

Freedom is neither absolute nor cheap. It is a gift entrusted to delicate and discreet use.

It’s hard to believe the Founding Fathers, whose lives were ordered instinctively by subliminal restraints of the Judeo- Christian ethic, intended freedom of expression should be devoid of civility.

But a sufficient level of civility usually kept order and respectability in spite of their differences.

Is unbridled speech constitutionally permitted? Of course it is.

Is it in the best interest of society? Of course it’s not!

Something is radically wrong with that brand of freedom. And most people instinctively know it, though they might not verbalize it because of the “politically correct” crowd.

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” for getting attention to one’s point of view.

It is based not on law and it embraces virtues like love, respect, tolerance, forgiveness and the good of one’s neighbor.

Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Lech Walesa are among its champions.

To be sure the ills of society must be confronted.

But they must be confronted respectfully and redemptively rather than arrogantly.

Intimidation and fear are the tools of tyrants and the methods of mobs.

That path in history is strewn with the victims of misdirected “messiahs.”

As Americans our Christian heritage calls us to a higher ethic for action and persuasion.

If we get it right, we will survive.

If we don’t, not even God can help.

Remember old Liberty as she hangs silently in Independence Square.

Her voice was not silenced by how she looked.

Missing ingredients killed her.

With powerful eloquence, her scar urges us: “Let freedom ring across our land!”

Our response must be: We refuse to demean people who are different from us. We refuse to destroy their properties to make our point.

We will be lifted beyond what is legal and let freedom ring with love, respect, forgiveness, tolerance and peaceful dialogue.

So help us God!

The Rev. Guy BonGiovanni is interim pastor at North Bloomfield Assembly of God and president of Life Enrichment Ministries, Inc.