Thursday

No Freedom of Speech

As we exited the Smithsonian metro station, my daughter and I stumbled upon what was billed as "the largest gathering of nonbelievers." By my estimation, there were between 300 and 500 people huddled under umbrellas around a stage bigger than their gathering. On March 31, in an article entitled"Atheists Rally on National Mall; the 'Reason Rally' Largest Gathering of Nonbelievers," Huffington post reporter Kimberly Winston reported that an estimated 8,000 and 10,000 people attended the event. *

One of us miscounted.

As we made our way to the Tidal Basin to enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival, the voice of the rally's speaker carried clearly across the largely empty grassy area. I only had to listen for a moment to realize two things. First, he was angry. Angry enough to rail at people of faith. Angry enough to curse them. Ironically, I wondered if there was much power in damning people in the name of a God he didn't believe in.

Second, I realized that although the staging area was ringed with uniformed police officers with fierce-looking canines, the authorities allowed the speaker to rail and curse unmolested. His right to freedom of speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment, and the police officers who guarded this area also guarded his right to say anything he wanted.

I realized this atheist was exercising a freedom that I as a Christian do not have.

I cannot curse those who don't believe as I do.

I cannot express hate or disdain for those who criticize what I hold most dear.

I cannot outshout or bully or taunt them.

I cannot exercise the liberty of free speech, because I answer to a higher law.

Instead of the First Amendment, which says I can say anything I want, regardless of its destructive power, I answer to the Word of God, which tells me to

"Bless those who curse you."(Mt. 5:44)

"Speak the truth in love." (Eph 4:15)

and "not let any unwholesome talk come out of (my) mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Eph. 4:29)

Can I say angry, bitter, destructive words to those who disagree with me?

Yes.

Should I?

No.

The love of God compels me otherwise.

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." (Jas. 3:17).

That day, walking away from the "largest gathering of nonbelievers," I chose to exercise my God-given freedom of speech.

I chose to "pray for those who despitefully use you."

And I did it out loud.

*(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/24/atheist-rally_n_1377443.html).

This devotion is an excerpt from Lori’s new book, Hungry for God … Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women.

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Do You Kiss Your Dog?

I kiss my dog Winston all the time.

Sometimes my husband complains that I kiss Winston more than I kiss him, but I maintain that this is true simply because my husband works away from home, and Winston is here 24/7.

Winston has a marvelous white stripe running right down the middle of his forehead, which is a wonderful bull's eye for where to plant a kiss as I walk by. Since he's my constant companion, there are lots of opportunities.

One day I was flitting through the house bestowing kisses on all my loved ones. Winston was first, because of his proximity as my closest companion. Next I approached one of my daughters. She must have read my intention by the look in my eye, because she backed up immediately, threw both hands up in the air and said, "Oh no, you are not kissing me with the same mouth you kissed Winston!"

I thought about that comment this morning when I read James 3:8-10,

"But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be this way."

I wonder if God ever says, "Oh no, you're not talking to me with the same mouth you curse your brothers!"

I know that most of us don't actually curse our fellow man, although some of us might. Sometimes, however, we choose to damage each other with our words. We speak words that are unkind, thoughtless, and hurtful. We use our words to tear down rather than build up, to discourage instead of encourage. Sometimes we leave our prayer time where we have lifted our voices in praise to our Father and slide right into a nasty argument with one of our children.

My brothers and sisters, these things ought not be. . . We can't "kiss" our Father with the same mouth we "curse" our fellow men.

Instead, let us pray with the Psalmist, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord," (Psalm 19:14) And then may we make a deliberate and conscious choice to exchange our words of "cursing" for words of blessing.

Imagine what a sweeter world it would be if we each took this principle seriously.

I know God would be pleased :)

May God bless you as you seek to honor Him!

Hungry for God; Starving for Time