Unrelated but also recent was a report published showing significant moral decline in our country.The question that came to my mind is this: "can free speech and moral failure be related? If so, what makes it so?"
The right to free speech has been seen as an admirable behavior and necessary to liberty. However, the right to free expression may be misunderstood. This right is granted by the Constitution to protect citizens from government suppressing dissent. Somehow we have taken this to mean any citizen has the right to say or do whatever they wish about another citizen, even to silence those with whom they disagree. Is free speech acceptable when it shuts down free speech? Is this the idea of free speech envisioned by the Founding Fathers? Is bullying in the name of free speech a source of moral decay?
While protecting citizens from government control of speech, did the Founding Fathers envision that citizens would use free speech as a license for contempt? It seems that when someone acts in a way to diminish or condemn another person, they have held the other person in contempt. "Contempt" means treating someone with disdain, as if they are worthless. The Bible claims "contempt" is a form of self-righteousness - worse than anger and the same or worse than killing. To the degree walking out on someone is an act of contempt, this form of exercising free speech is a self-elevating moral failure.
Should we as a society frown on free speech that shows contempt and honor free speech that respects others and fosters debate? Its a sad day when bullies stand behind free speech to hold others in contempt. This is not a Constitutional right AND is a moral flaw,
You may think walking out on someone and disrespecting their right to speak is not contempt, but you cannot turn your back on the notion that debasing another person in the name of free speech is what our country is founded on and deserves protection.
Moral imperative is a boundary on freedom of expression.
Certainly worth pondering .....
