I believe in freedom of speech. But it is best if one learns freedom of thought and practice it BEFORE indulging in all that much speech. This is especially true in relationships, but it’s also true in politics, media, education and religion as well.
But what is freedom of thought? License to think whatever? Well, yes it is that. But it is more about being free to think through something clearly. To be free from a warped heritage for example, or an angry, habitual response mechanism, or a obsession with being witty, funny and attention getting instead of thoughtful and helpful.
It’s not just what you are free to do, it is also what you are free from.
Drawing and commentary by Marty Coleman of The Napkin Dad Daily
“People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.” – Soren Kierkegaard, 1813-1855, Danish philosopher
In honor of Earth Day I just want to say that Earth is my favorite planet of all time! By the way, did you know that if the earth were just one foot farther from the sun….I would be wearing a sweater right now!
>Jaclyn, I certainly agree that freedom of speech does not have a thought requirement. One can say stupid stuff if one wants, and it is protected. Phelps has his free speech rights, it's true. The community at large also has rights to have organized activities uninterrupted, such as funerals and weddings.
The second example is a good one. It shows freedom of speech though not well thought out and thus pretty ineffective.
>"But it is best if one learns freedom of thought and practice it BEFORE indulging in all that much speech."
An interesting point.
I have two thoughts.
– First, I thought about Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church and how so many people want to limit their speech.
I worry about the unintended consequences of censorship in those cases. If we censor what Fred Phelps say, what comes next?
Secondly, I thought about the recent news that protesters at Sen. Barbara Boxer's (D-Cali.) fundraiser who yelled at the president about DADT.
Although I might agree with their message, I am not sure about their approach.
We've all heard of preaching to the choir. I feel as though this was, instead, yelling at it.