Freedom of Speech

Interesting how the pendulum swings. Fifty years ago, Christian principles were more a part of the fabric of our society than today. Divorce was kept quiet and not seen as a good way to resolve marital problems. Abortion was still illegal and tabu. Sexual promiscuity was gaining popularity but nothing like we know now. Homosexuality was not talked about or portrayed in entertainment media.

I'm not saying that all these social issues are new to our generation. They were all part of the biblical story. And they were all considered to be sin because God's word established it so. What has changed over the last 50 years, or the last 4,000 years, is that all these social issues are no longer tabu, no longer kept out of the media, and no longer considered to be sin.

God's word has not changed.

In the news this week is the topic of traditional/biblical marriage versus gay marriage. Dan Cathy, President and COO of Chick-Fil-A, said in an interview with a Baptist paper that his company (privately owned by his family) was built upon Christian values. One of those values is the belief and adherence to the biblical definition of marriage. (Read the interview here - http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38271)

The reaction of many in media, the LGBT community, Hollywood, and left-leaning politicians has been heavy and harsh. Mayors of three cities - Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco - have publicly stated that Chick-Fil-A is not welcome in their cities because of this. Social media and blogs are filled with opinions.

To say that we live in a country that values freedom of speech would make one scratch his head. We say we value freedom of speech. Our constitution's First Amendment guarantees it. But when a Christian speaks freely about his convictions, the firestorm begins. Our actions speak louder than our words.

Here are some examples of what I think is a double standard regarding free speech.

Nabisco is marketing Oreos with cream stuffing in the colors of the rainbow, symbolic of Gay Pride. The LA Times posted an article today talking about using gay pride as a business strategy. Noted in the article are J.C. Penney, American Express, and Cisco. JCP "has earned kudos from many corners (gay and non-gay alike) for sticking with its views" even though the company struggles financially.

The article cites another article from the Economist stating that the workforce may be comprised of 5-10% homosexuals. Both sides would argue the percentages but it's probably safe to extend that percentage to the general populations. "The LGBT community may be small, but it and its backers are vocal." Yes they are. Ask Dan Cathy. (LA Times article http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-oreo-gay-pride-7cookie-reaction-20120626,0,6550055.htmlstory)

Willow Creek Community Church hosted a leadership summit last year. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz withdrew from the conference under pressure from the gay community because of Willow Creek's affiliation with Exodus International (a ministry for those seeking to turn from homosexuality). An estimated 72,000 people were to participate in the conference; about 700 signed the petition threatening to boycott Starbucks if Schultz made his presentation.

Hybels clarified his and the church's position on marriage. "Now, what is true is that we challenge homosexuals and heterosexuals to live out the sexual ethics taught in the scriptures which encourages full sexual expression between a man and a woman in the context of marriage and prescribes sexual abstinence and purity for everybody else.” The biblical standard was taken to task.

Rather than call for a boycott of Starbucks - unfortunately, some Christians did - Hybels said, "Buy a cup of Starbuck coffee in the next couple of days and just show some Christian goodwill." Boycotts by Christians are generally mocked while a boycott by homosexuals was taken seriously. (Read the article about this http://www.christianpost.com/news/willow-creek-church-is-not-anti-gay-pastor-clarifies-53805/)

Here's my point: Christians are in the minority in America and Christian values no longer run throughout the fabric of our country's principles. This is evidenced by the way Christians are not allowed free speech. Sure, we can speak about stuff that the culture doesn't care about but let a Christian get vocal about a key social issue and the oppression begins.

I'm all for free speech. Let the Christian and the Muslim and the atheist speak freely. Let the proponents of the biblical family/marriage and the homosexuals speak freely. Without everyone having freedom of speech, nobody really does.