Vicar's letter
| Freedom of Speech |
Vicar's letter |
| There has been much discussion about freedom of
speech recently. Questions about a law to prevent abusive
remarks about religions; anti Islam cartoons from In the years since the second
world was there has been much thought about freedoms. One
person exercising their freedom may conflict with the
freedoms of another person. Thus driving a car along I was very impressed by an interview about these matters with the Bishop of Rochester. He said that there should be a certain small area governed by law but a much larger area governed by convention. Thus any incitement to commit a crime should be made illegal. But those who control and influence the media should come to some agreement in some detail as to the conventions to be applied; for example not to publish material offensive to different religions and ethnic groups. This would not stop polite, respectful and challenging questions being asked of them. Those wishing to break the conventions would be free to do so but they would need a very good case for doing this. The Christian tradition believes that each person is made in the image and likeness of God; each person is loved and valued by God and has a good purpose in God’s good creation. While persons have the freedom to reject God and his ways we are ultimately to leave judgement on these matters to God. We recall the parable of the tares and the wheat; it is only at the harvest that they are to be separated. Sometimes people are acting is a way so destructive to other persons and to the whole community that action to restrain them has to be taken. This is very much a last resort. In the mean time we try to respect all other persons and by our example encourage other persons to respect all people. Respect does not preclude saying I consider this view wrong or destructive but it can be done in a way both firm and respectful, knowing we may be wrong and being open to further insight. We do not have the last word; we leave that to God. All of this requires great wisdom and great discrimination. We pray for these gifts for ourselves and for those who have positions of leadership and responsibility in the very many communities who share this earth with us. Christopher Morgan – Jones
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