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On A Personal
Note...
No Easy Answers Religious freedom has been staunchly defended in the United States, and it is one of the freedoms upon which this nation was founded. And like most extremely important issues, people do not always agree what that "freedom" truly means. But today I'm not thinking about that particular freedom. No, today I'm thinking about a couple other important freedoms upon which this republic was founded. Two freedoms that have also been staunchly defended throughout this nation's history. Two freedoms that are now contributing to this nations' terror:
I, like most people in America, have been watching the appalling events unfold around Washington, D.C. these past weeks. The Sniper, presumably a single person, has millions fearing for their lives. His targets appear random, and now he has told us that even our children are not safe. I have family and friends living in the D.C. area, and I am truly afraid for them. So what does this have to do with the two freedoms above? Plenty. The first is obvious: the right to bear arms. In this country, people can get guns. All sorts of guns. And tragedies like this gives gun control advocates something they can really sink their teeth into. Could this have been avoided if stronger legislation had been in place to control the purchase of firearms? The second is not quite so obvious: freedom of the press. Regardless of what else might be motivating the Sniper, keeping people in fear is near the top of the list. Case in point is the note left for authorities that said, in part, your children are not safe either. The only reason for that is to instill fear. Would people be so fearful if not for the press immediately disseminating every detail about the shootings? The answer to both questions, in my humble opinion, is "only God knows". We have no means of determining what might have happened under different circumstances. But I can tell you one thing... I'm concerned for these two freedoms. Over the past few decades, we've seen our freedom of religion slowly whittled away. (I don't need to expound upon that, because I'm sure you're well aware of the details.) So what will this country be like if the same thing happens to freedom of the press and our right to bear arms? I can easily envision a society where our personal freedoms are greatly restricted in the name of security; where the only firearms are held by law enforcement officers (and criminals); and where the government regulates what is covered by the media, also in the name of national and personal security. Far-fetched? Perhaps. It's at least as far-fetched as a judge ruling that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional. As Adam and Eve learned, with great freedom comes great responsibility -- and great accountability. I, for one, think that we are up to the challenge. As Christians, we believe that God created us to be self-directing, so let's not be too quick to give up our freedoms in exchange for short-term security. In the long run, we need to be free. Peace, Sound off! Tell me what you think! Copyright 2002 by Brandon Jubar |
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