Is it true? What does it mean? If God did give us freedom as a gift then why didn't he do it sooner and why does everyone have to fight to get some of it and - oh yes - why is it so rare?
And if freedom is the big prize - then why are those who proclaim it always trying to tell me what to do and what is right and wrong. The worshipful give me freedom so long as I'm like them and do as they do. Believe in our God and you shall be free.
Hey you! Don't smoke marijuana, boy. Hold on a second while we execute a couple of murderers and throw stones at that gay couple.
Huh? Doesn't your God say that is wrong?
Remember this, friend: FREEDOM IS GOD'S GIFT TO THE WORLD. AND THERE IS NO FREEDOM WITHOUT RULES. FREEDOM WITHOUT RULES IS CHAOS. OBEY THE RULES
Your rules?
Yes. Obey them all. Don't question anything. You can't be free unless you're willing to follow our rule book. You see that, don't you?
I'm not sure.
When we talk about FREEDOM, son -- we are not talking about individual freedom to do anything - that would be dangerous. We are not talking about allowing actions between consenting adults because that would be bad. Oh sure if a couple of gays want to get married that would be okay - but you can't allow it because you've got the camel's nose under the tent. Next thing you know the whole country is gay and there's no procreation. You wouldn't want us to stop procreating - would you, son?
You mean that secretly we're all gay - and just waiting for someone to tell us it's okay?
We might be. Who knows. But we sure as hell ain't gonna find out. Freedom has it's limits, you know. You look confused. Don't be. Don't think about it. All you need to do is remember that FREEDOM IS GOD'S GIFT TO THE WORLD. AND IN ORDER TO BE FREE, YOU NEED TO OBEY THE RULES. Got that?
Yes. I think I do.
Good. Have a nice day, friend.
Thank you - your royal moralness. Oh, what's playin' on my iPod. It's Mr. Bob Marley:
Now, son. Bob Marley is not on our approved list. Give me that a second while I erase him...
Most people think,
Great God will come from the skies,
Take away everything
And make everybody feel high.
But if you know what life is worth,
You will look for yours on earth:
And now you see the light,
You stand up for your rights. Jah!
3 comments:
Rudolf Guiliani on freedom in 1993:
Freedom does not mean that people can do anything they want or be anything they can be. Freedom is the willingnes of every single human being to cede to lawful authority a great deal of discretion about what you do and how you do it...
What a scumbag!
I'm sorry to hear some of these comments (e.g., freedom is the curse of G-d..")
I think some are conflating protected free expression by others ("it's wrong for you to do X") with the ability of government to force you to do or not do something because of a law that was passed ("you can't do X because it's illegal.")
The founding principle of the United States is the equality of one person with respect to another. Part of this principle was that this equality was bestown by a Higher Power, G-d, to whom mankind is subservient - and that each of us owes natural obedience to that Higher Power, but never "by nature" owes obedience to another person.
The second principle is that political authority, the ability of a person or government to require compliance from another person is derived only from consent of the governed.
By coincidence, there is a well-written article on this online in today's OpinionJournal (Wall Street Journal) at
http://opinionjournal.com/federation/feature/?id=110008028.
"The Central Idea" by Harry V. Jaffa
"The founding principle of the United States is the equality of one person with respect to another. Part of this principle was that this equality was bestown by a Higher Power, G-d, to whom mankind is subservient - and that each of us owes natural obedience to that Higher Power, but never "by nature" owes obedience to another person."
Steve, of course there were a few minor problems with this idea:
- Blacks were not considered fully human
- This higher power proclaimed that we had the right to decimate the Indians since
we had right to all land from ocean to ocean
- Women neither
But okay - this is in hindsight with contemporary values which you might say isn't fair though slavery was brought up as an issue early on.
The main thing - the way I read it - is that the founding fathers did not want religion to have any control over the government or the people. Many had fled Europe because of religious persecution.
You can worship or not worship as you desire in this country and the government will stay out of it. That was one of the founding principles.
Now the government in the form of President Bush appoints judges based on how they fit in with his religious beliefs.
Well anyway Steve. I think we're both doing very well so far in that we are discussing G-d and country (an area where we obviously have vast disagreements) without resorting to name calling. And this may be a first. If we can continue like this - we will have to talk baseball. And give that a try.
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