Freedom Has to Work Both Ways

Yesterday proved to be a "head scratching" day for me.  First, Dr. Carson endorsed Mr. Trump.  During the debates Trump had pounded Carson, as he did the others on the stage, with his crass attacks.  Yet, a week after dropping out of the race Carson said they had "buried the hatchet", and Trump was his man for the job.

While I'm all for forgiveness it just seemed out of character for Gentle Ben to throw his support to a man who seems to be polar opposite.  But that's the irritating beauty of America.  Any citizen can choose his/her candidate.  That's his/our right.  While I might disagree with Carson, I do not have the right to silence him.

Later in the evening, in Chicago a Trump rally was cancelled because protesters inside the venue were so loud and threatening that Trump would not have been heard and the potential for violence was too high.  Thus, in Chicago, the leading candidate of his party was silenced by those disagreeing with him. 

Our Constitution's 1st Amendment reads like this:
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.

Like it or not, we all are guaranteed this "freedom of speech", even presidential candidates whose words or proposals we might find offensive or even immoral.  Some might defend the protesters by invoking their freedom of speech.  Don't they have the right to speak up and from the rooftops, if necessary shout their opposition.  Of course, they do.

But the same amendment also guarantees the right of a candidate's supporters to peacably assemble.  That right was denied them in Chicago by Trump's detractors.  It was not their intention to hear Trump, but to stop him from speaking.  And they succeeded.  But in doing so they trampled on the bedrock of our civilization.  And that makes their success an affront to all Americans, for it chips away at the liberties we all enjoy.

When the freedom of speech is attacked we should all be concerned.  I, perhaps more than most appreciate what that freedom provides.  My calling in life is to speak the Gospel of Christ.  The first amendment protects my ability as an American to do so.  It also prevents those who may not agree with the Gospel (and all it implies) from interrupting me or attempting to silence me or any other preacher.  My church is guaranteed the right to assemble peacefully.  It's the first amendment that provides that protection.

My concern is that if such attacks on the Constitution are allowed to continue in the political realm, it won't be long before they will be permitted in the religious as well.  So, it's for that reason that while I may personally disagree with Carson's endorsement and Trump's rhetoric, I will stand for their right to express them.  That freedom must work both ways or it ceases to be freedom. 

For those who want to silence a candidate, the Constitution provides a way to do that.  And it is equal across the board.  The 15th amendment says, The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

So, if you don't like a candidate don't vote for him or her!  Let your vote be your voice.  It's still your freedom and right as a citizen.