Free Speech and The Bible

Message / Question

freedom of speech may be a "tradition" but is it in the bible?? why shouldn't there be stronger protection against discrimination or defamation?? i don't mean to be rude but you are white, privileged and probably have never been on the receiving end of discrimination

Response

There are quite a few things that are specifically addressed in the Bible, but nonetheless are implied. Freedom of speech is not mentioned in the Bible per se, however we are told to “preach the Good News....at all times.....tell people when they are wrong...” (2 Tim 2:4); we are told to “speak the truth in love” (Eph 4:15). Any law that suppresses a person’s right to speak truth may be seen to be working against God's command. So it is fair to say that freedom of speech is implied but not specifically mentioned in the Bible.

One must consider the type of community and government that we want to have. If we choose a democratic system, then we must have freedom of speech. If we are not free to speak, then the “voice of the people” (which is a cornerstone of democracy) cannot be heard. Without freedom of speech, it would be effectively impossible to speak in favour of or against particular political groups (i.e. political parties), individual politicians (e.g. those individuals standing in an election) or issues of the day.

In my previous answer on this issue I noted that “discrimination comes when you are, in some way, acted against directly – for example, you are denied employment because of your race, gender, religion or political opinion. You should be free to hold your opinion, but that opinion should not cause you harm – when it does, THAT becomes discrimination......”. I agree with you that it is wrong to defame a person – freedom of speech should not (and at present in Australia does not) allow a person to defame another. Likewise the act of discrimination is wrong, as noted above. However, publically disagreeing with an individual is neither defamatory nor discriminatory; we must have the right to express our views/opinions on issues that are in the public arena. Debating points of view does not require anyone to defame another. If we take the issue of same sex marriage as an example, you should be absolutely free to express your view and I should have that same freedom, however neither of us should speak ill of the other as individuals. It is quite possible to debate any issue and to do so with respect for the views and person of those involved in that debate.

You said that I am probably “..white, privileged and probably have never been on the receiving end of discrimination.”. That statement makes a whole lot of assumptions about me as an individual. First of all, the colour of my skin has absolutely nothing to do with my views on the various issues that are discussed on this website. I realise that you didn’t make that statement with any negative intent, however you can see how easy it is for us to say something at which people MAY choose to take offence. I abhor discrimination based on skin colour/nationality – all people are equal before God, their race in inconsequential. Regarding the issue of discrimination, you are right, I don’t recall any direct action that I would call discrimination, however I have faced verbal and very public criticism and clearly defamatory comments because of the views that I hold. I can assure you, that negative, critical, defamatory and sometimes hurtful public comment is not reserved for people who share the views that you have expressed. That is an area where we have common ground, we both have experienced this type of comment.