![\"Screen](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/385\/2017\/09\/Screen-Shot-2017-09-25-at-10.06.04-AM.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I have to admit, I\u2019m not understanding the consistency of your logic, conservative friends.<\/p>\n
While our country is facing a string of catastrophic natural disasters and seems to be edging closer to the brink of nuclear war, the President is spending his time cursing and denouncing NFL players who do not stand during the national anthem.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s truly an inexplicable and twisted prioritization of issues. As so many of you jump on board with this national distraction, it also reveals a deep inconsistency in the supposed belief system of an \u201cAmerican patriot.\u201d<\/p>\n
As conservative\u00a0American patriots, you claim to love\u00a0America above all others. I used to be one of you, in every way you can imagine.<\/p>\n
I believed in our freedoms. I believed those who hate us, hate us because of those\u00a0freedoms, and I believed that people\u2019s attitudes toward America should be \u201clove it or leave it.\u201d<\/p>\n
I was just like so many of you who consider yourself\u00a0American \u201cpatriots\u201d today.<\/p>\n
However, as I have watched Trump\u2019s rants on twitter\u2013 cursing\u00a0black athletes who take a knee during the national anthem, calling one\u2019s mother a bitch, and his insisting\u00a0that the NFL should fine or fire anyone who doesn\u2019t \u201crespect the flag,\u201d I am reminded once again why I no longer belong to the roaring crowd of professing\u00a0patriots.<\/p>\n
You see, what\u2019s clear to me is that you love our freedom\u2013 right up until the point that people actually use it.<\/em><\/p>\n Furthermore, in situations like this you\u00a0prove you\u00a0don\u2019t really believe in free speech at all\u2013\u00a0because you can\u2019t say you believe in free speech, but also believe in\u00a0compelled\u00a0<\/em>speech.<\/p>\n We often frame first amendment\u00a0as having the freedom to speak your mind and say whatever you want. The concept of free speech is often seen as the freedom to\u00a0actively say<\/em>\u00a0something\u2013 it\u2019s framed as freedom to take action, instead of freedom to take inaction. What we forget is that the freedom of speech isn\u2019t always about saying something. What is equally true is that the freedom of speech is also a freedom to say nothing at all.<\/em><\/p>\n Conversely, when we describe the next part of the first amendment\u2013 the freedom of religion\u2013 we often describe it as the freedom to do, or not do<\/span><\/em> something.<\/p>\n We don\u2019t simply say, \u201cI have the freedom to practice my religion\u201d but would also say, \u201cyou cannot force me to practice yours<\/em>.\u201d Case in point: it\u2019s why people lose their shit at the mere mention of sharia law.<\/p>\n Thus, we easily see that freedom of religion means we have freedom from being compelled to participate<\/em> in a particular\u00a0religion.<\/p>\n However, when it comes to the issue of free speech, so many of you\u00a0American patriots who would start a civil war if someone tried to compel you\u00a0to practice Islam, have absolutely no problem compelling someone to say or express things they do not wish to say or express, when the topic at hand is patriotism<\/em>.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what you\u2019re missing and the inconsistency in your own logic: When you say that\u00a0people should be forced to stand for the national anthem or lose their job, you\u00a0are in fact insisting that people be forced\u00a0to express a sentiment or belief\u00a0they do not actually believe or wish to express.<\/p>\n This is compelled<\/em> speech. It is using force and coercion to make<\/em> someone express\u00a0something they do not want to.<\/p>\n All this brings us to a legitimate question,\u00a0conservative friends: Do you\u00a0really<\/em> believe in the first amendment? Do you really believe in the freedom of speech and expression?<\/p>\n Because when it comes to religion, you rightly have a visceral reaction to even the slightest hint that you might be forced to express something you don\u2019t want to express. You see the\u00a0freedom of religion as including freedom from having to participate in any religious expression you don\u2019t want to.<\/p>\n And you know what? You\u2019re right on that count. In fact, I don\u2019t know anyone who would remotely disagree.<\/p>\n So\u2013 and here\u2019s the kicker\u2013 why is it, that when it comes to the freedom of speech and expression during our national anthem, you no longer believe that it\u2019s wrong to force someone to express something they don\u2019t want to express? How is it that your logic and expressed values completely go out the window the minute the flag comes out?<\/p>\n Because if you *really* believed in the freedom of speech and expression, you\u2019d also be firmly against compelled\u00a0expression.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p> Be sure to check out his new blog, right here<\/a>, and follow on Facebook<\/a>:<\/p>\n![\"unafraid](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/385\/2017\/08\/unafraid-300-214x300.png\")
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\nDr. Benjamin L. Corey<\/a> is a public theologian and cultural anthropologist who is a two-time graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with graduate degrees in the fields of Theology and International Culture, and holds a doctorate in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary.\u00a0He is also the author of the new book, Unafraid: Moving Beyond Fear-Based Faith, which is available wherever good books\u00a0are sold. www.Unafraid-book.com.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n