Free Speech and Following Jesus
Voltaire famously said, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” I might not go that far, but I get his point. Freedom of speech and religion is vital. Yet it’s been under pressure for years now, from both sides of the political aisle.
Under the Biden administration, mandates were enforced, churches closed, and dissenting voices were pushed to the margins. Social media and college campuses “canceled” comedians, conservatives, and even a former president. Conservatives cried foul, while many liberals stayed quiet.
Under the Trump administration, we’ve seen new accusations of overreach, such as the FCC pressuring late-night hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert. Now it’s liberals who protest loudly, while conservatives are awkwardly silent.
The pattern is clear: when “our side” feels targeted, we demand freedom. When the “other side” is silenced, we kind of like it. But freedom of speech and religion isn’t just for views or beliefs we agree with.
The pattern is clear: when “our side” feels targeted, we demand freedom. When the “other side” is silenced, we kind of like it.
It rarely ends well when the government decides which opinions count as “fake news.”
It’s far better to meet an opposing argument with a better one and to cast a better vision.
That’s the way of Jesus. He didn’t shut down dissent. Nor did Paul silence opposing voices. Each was committed to open dialogue and persuasion with their opponents, trusting in God’s Word and Spirit, rather than coercion and cancellation.
It’s far better to meet an opposing argument with a better one and to cast a better vision.
In Acts 17, Paul “reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead” (Acts 17:2–3). He didn’t silence anyone—he engaged them.
Until his assassination, Charlie Kirk’s unique approach of handing a microphone to his opponents and saying, “Let the best argument win,” demonstrated the same confidence that the truth is convincing and ultimately liberating. He truly believed in freedom of speech and the truth of the Gospel.
Our greater goal isn’t to promote a political system or protect our rights, but to help people see the glory of Christ, trust Him for eternal life, and be reconciled to God. We want to see lives transformed, not just opinions changed.
Our goal isn’t to promote a political system or protect our rights, but to help people see the glory of Christ, trust Him for eternal life, and be reconciled to God.
So let’s not rejoice when “the other side” is silenced. Let’s love and respect those who hold different views, listen to their hearts and perspectives, and engage in reasoned discussion with them based on the truth.
That means listening more (to God and them) and shouting less (less capital letters). Speaking boldly yet kindly. And loving people, even when it’s hard. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Bold truth. Gentle love. Real hope. Not in political victories, but in the gospel, which is the power of God to save everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).