We live in a world, especially “western culture” parts of the world. Where things are changing. This may be the most insane simple thing to say, but when it comes to free speech, things better not change. Back when America was being born, the founders wrote a constitution which was all the powers of the government and what the government could do to you and things like that. Then they wrote the Bill of Rights. This amends the constitution. It is the constitution from the people’s point of view. It lists all the things that the people can do, and the government cannot, under any circumstances, stop them.
The first amendment is very wide in scope and clearly important. It is:
America was founded by people who wanted to get away from the Church of England. The protestant reformation was in full swing and people in England wanted to believe the Bible, not the church. So the first part is all about religion. There will be no state religion. The progressive left need to look in a mirror because progressivism is a religion, but it is not the law of the land, yet.
Next is free speech. The government cannot abridge my free speech. I can say anything, about anyone, anytime I want. I must obey other laws, to be sure, meaning I can commit crimes with the words I use, rarely. However, my speech is still free. Today I heard that in some state governments they are considering legislation what will classify speech as violence. There is also a thing called “hate speech.” I can say anything about anyone anytime I want, and deal with the consequences. My speech is free, not hate and not violence. Every word I speak is free speech or this is no longer America.
As a pastor, I am aware of the Johnson Amendment and for decades my speech has been limited. I thank God that President Trump has removed that horror. So as a pastor, I can preach truth. I condemn sins, proclaim truth and state clearly that Christ is the only redeemer, only savior and all non-Christians are going to hell, guaranteed. I post that on youtube and Facebook and twitter and a blog, as do millions of pastors world wide. If speech is not absolutely free then we live in a totalitarian society where we have no rights.
The last part of the amendment is the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. That works on all sides. When people tried to petition the Obama administration, the IRS investigated them. Trump seems more open. The government at all levels works for me and you and they better never impede my speech or they will hear some fighting words.
A recommend the book On Liberty
The first amendment is very wide in scope and clearly important. It is:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
America was founded by people who wanted to get away from the Church of England. The protestant reformation was in full swing and people in England wanted to believe the Bible, not the church. So the first part is all about religion. There will be no state religion. The progressive left need to look in a mirror because progressivism is a religion, but it is not the law of the land, yet.
Next is free speech. The government cannot abridge my free speech. I can say anything, about anyone, anytime I want. I must obey other laws, to be sure, meaning I can commit crimes with the words I use, rarely. However, my speech is still free. Today I heard that in some state governments they are considering legislation what will classify speech as violence. There is also a thing called “hate speech.” I can say anything about anyone anytime I want, and deal with the consequences. My speech is free, not hate and not violence. Every word I speak is free speech or this is no longer America. As a pastor, I am aware of the Johnson Amendment and for decades my speech has been limited. I thank God that President Trump has removed that horror. So as a pastor, I can preach truth. I condemn sins, proclaim truth and state clearly that Christ is the only redeemer, only savior and all non-Christians are going to hell, guaranteed. I post that on youtube and Facebook and twitter and a blog, as do millions of pastors world wide. If speech is not absolutely free then we live in a totalitarian society where we have no rights.
The last part of the amendment is the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. That works on all sides. When people tried to petition the Obama administration, the IRS investigated them. Trump seems more open. The government at all levels works for me and you and they better never impede my speech or they will hear some fighting words.
A recommend the book On Liberty
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