FIRST PRINCIPLES: FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Scripture
In the beginning God… – Genesis 1:1
Then you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. -John 8:32
Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. – Psalms 2:10-11
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. Proberbs 15:1-2
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. – Colossians 4:6
First Principles
Judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials must discharge their duties within the confines of our Constitution. Citizens hold many differing political views, and they often hold them passionately. They may express those views even in ways that offend government officials. The price for our freedom is that we might be subjected to views that offend us. Democracy is a messy business; and we, as a people, have freely chosen it over the relative tidiness of tyranny.
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects citizens against government action substantially interfering with freedom of speech or assembly (U.S. Const. Amend. 1).
Resources
The following resources are provided for informational use only and are not necessarily endorsed by the Great Lakes Justice Center. They should always be examined against Scripture, our primary resource. If you would like to add resources to this list, please contact us.
Books, Articles, & Journals
FREEDOM OF SPEECH PUBLICATIONS
COMMENTARY – Concerns with the Proposed City of Jackson NDO
The proposed nondiscrimination ordinance (NDO) mandates no religious discrimination as well as no discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation/gender identity (SOGI). Both categories cannot be enforced at the same time – they are on a collision course.