What is freedom?

What is freedom? November 16, 2004

A reader said “as a Christian I have to understand freedom in the intersection between two scriptures, that while seeming to contradict, in effect form the boundaries of freedom. Freedom is not absolute in a moral and ethical society, which by its nature Christianity fosters and demands. John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

and John 14:15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”

This is of course true. But the concept that seems at times to be assaulted as much by the US religious right as it is by the islamic terrorist is that there is also a freedom to be valued in society.

Does it bother you that in the west mosques can be built whilst in muslim countries churches cant? To me that is a litmus test of freedom. I am proud that we allow mosques to be built. I believe that it is not for a nation to legistlate as to what the religious beliefs of its people should be. I am not 100% sure if the whole of America still stands for the religious liberty (ie the right to be wrong!) that the founding fathers espoused.


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