In her article published Jan. 13, Bethany Lowe seemed to claim that a psychological injury results from a surplus of conversation about Jesus Christ. She said non-Christians do not have the ability to speak comfortably about their beliefs. But does the First Amendment ensure comfort in our society? Does discomfort automatically preclude liberty?
Certainly not. Free speech is almost always uncomfortable, which is exactly why it is protected in our Constitution. Lowe argues that minority religions do not enjoy the same comfort in expression, and therefore don’t have the same liberty. She seems to think that, “shun the non-believer” is a fatal assault upon the First Amendment. But comfort in expression and the liberty to express are far from synonymous.
Lowe suggests that Christians “drink less coffee and hang out in churches” instead. Such an exclusionary attitude could be discomforting for Christians, but it hasn’t curtailed their liberty (or effort) in expressing their beliefs because the First Amendment stands for all people, regardless of individual opinions.
In our society the failure to speak is not the fault of louder voices, it is a failure of the internal will. The real solution is to speak out in courage, not criticize the outspoken because they think they’re right — every person thinks he or she is right.
Lowe underestimated the price of the right to expression we have. It isn’t just a distracted columnist or an uneasy dissenter. The price of liberty has been paid in blood by our fellow Americans during the past 235 years. Those men and women have been willing to brave sword, sorrow and shame to ensure our rights. Are we then afraid of some comparatively minor ridicule? Do not diminish their victory because someone else has stepped out in courage to assert the liberties they won for us.
–Jaron Robinson
Law student
UI College of Law – See more at: file:///Volumes/argonaut$/stories/sections/opinion/stories/2012/Jan/27/mailbox_first_amendment.html#sthash.Hg6reI2x.dpuf
Certainly not. Free speech is almost always uncomfortable, which is exactly why it is protected in our Constitution. Lowe argues that minority religions do not enjoy the same comfort in expression, and therefore don’t have the same liberty. She seems to think that, “shun the non-believer” is a fatal assault upon the First Amendment. But comfort in expression and the liberty to express are far from synonymous.
Lowe suggests that Christians “drink less coffee and hang out in churches” instead. Such an exclusionary attitude could be discomforting for Christians, but it hasn’t curtailed their liberty (or effort) in expressing their beliefs because the First Amendment stands for all people, regardless of individual opinions.
In our society the failure to speak is not the fault of louder voices, it is a failure of the internal will. The real solution is to speak out in courage, not criticize the outspoken because they think they’re right — every person thinks he or she is right.
Lowe underestimated the price of the right to expression we have. It isn’t just a distracted columnist or an uneasy dissenter. The price of liberty has been paid in blood by our fellow Americans during the past 235 years. Those men and women have been willing to brave sword, sorrow and shame to ensure our rights. Are we then afraid of some comparatively minor ridicule? Do not diminish their victory because someone else has stepped out in courage to assert the liberties they won for us.
–Jaron Robinson
Law student
UI College of Law – See more at: file:///Volumes/argonaut$/stories/sections/opinion/stories/2012/Jan/27/mailbox_first_amendment.html#sthash.Hg6reI2x.dpuf