The
following is an 6 page leaflet (A4) which we have sent to various
newspaper editors etc., dealing with the issue of freedom of speech
etc., in light of the recent riots over the publishing of cartoons
about Mohammed.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH WHEN ARE OUR LIPS OUR OWN?
A Bible look at the recent controversy over some Western cartoons featuring Mohammed which caused rioting and death in Islamic countries.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? (Psalm 12:4)
BACKGROUND OF THIS LEAFLET:
Some European newspapers, but none so
far in Ireland or the UK, published cartoons depicting the Islamic
Prophet Muhammad, with his turban shaped like a bomb, complete with a
lit fuse. Muslims all over the world took offence with riots and
killings in Eastern countries and, generally, more peaceful protests in
Western countries. It has also fuelled the debate as to what extent a
person has freedom of speech. Is he free to insult another's
religion or beliefs?
BACKGROUND OF THIS WRITER:
Colin Maxwell is an Evangelical
Christian and a full time missionary of the Free Presbyterian Church,
working in Cork City. He holds his beliefs passionately; sometimes
(although never intentionally) offends people, and is sometimes
offended by what others say about him, his church or his beliefs.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH:
This is considered to be a basic human
right. However, most people generally accept the idea that it is not to
be abused e.g. to incite to crime or to discriminate against any group,
whether in the majority or the minority etc., and agree that the law
should legislate to that end.
OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE
Such may be divided into two sections:
[i] DELIBERATELY OFFENSIVE:
When certain words are used
gratuitously and with the sole and deliberate intention of causing hurt
and offence. Such statements are usually void of any meaningful
argument.
[ii] NO INTENTION TO OFFEND:
This part really is the crux of the
matter. Some people express views, which are sincerely held, but which
contravene the views of others. Consider a difference which exists within that broad constituency called Christendom: The
Roman Catholic Church considers the Pope (whom it refers to as "The
Holy Father") to be the Head of the Church - the Spiritual teacher of
all Christians etc., Bible
Protestants do not accept these claims. They consider the title "Holy
Father" to be applicable only to God Himself (John 17:11) and the only
Head of the Church to be Christ Himself (Colossians 1:18) Such a belief
therefore leads us to consider that the claims of the RC Church are
blasphemous. The historic Protestant creeds, still adhered to today (at
least in word) have said so and have gone further in identifying the
Pope, on the basis of his claims, as the Antichrist and Man of Sin.
Here we have a case where two sets of
belief's clash. Both are offensive one to the other. They are based
around interpretation of the Christian Scriptures. However, they may
both be stated in such a way without the deliberate giving of offence.
Consider then the differences which
exist between Christianity and Islam. Muslims believe that the Koran is
the word of God, For good, solid theological reasons, Christians do
not. Such a position is bound to lead to claims and counterclaims. We
both consider each other to be infidels etc., This is but the logical
outcome of two diametrically opposite positions. Yet just by stating
our honest position, void of any insulting language, some are still
going to be offended.
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SPEAKER:
To state his views fairly and squarely
and to defend them with clear logical reasons. He should not introduce
any views that are based on mere hearsay or caricature. If he is right
in what he is saying, and if it is a vital matter, then he should seek
to win his opponents to his views so that they too can rejoice in the
truth that he is found. He also should be prepared to accept that his
opponents may not want to accept his views and he must learn to
live with that.
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LISTENER:
Christians find a lot of things
offensive in this world. Any religious doctrine purporting to be from
God but which is unsustainable from the Bible, is offensive to a child
of God. Any secular matter which, for example, takes the Lord's name in
vain or violates the Ten Commandments or mocks the Christian faith is
likewise offensive. We reserve and exercise our right to raise a voice
against it. In the past, this has entailed us taking the following
steps:
[i] Writing a letter of protest and explanation to the relevant people [ii] Writing to the Press (Letter's page) [iii] Interviews on the Radio and television [iv] Utilising the Internet: [v] Use of the pulpit to set forth our opposition [vi] The publishing and distribution of suitable literature outlining the reasons for opposition [vii] Writing to any appropriate Government authority [viii] Protest marches, picketing, etc.,
In
all these cases, the registering of dissent was entirely peaceful and
within the law. There was no threat of violence and no one had any
reason to feel intimidated by our protest. No one was injured. No
property was damaged. We recognised the civil right of the other side,
while exercising our own civil right to register our protest and
proclaim what God's word said on the matter. We remained good friends
and neighbours to those with whom we disagreed. We try to balance
turning the other cheek with our duty to be the salt of the earth (Luke
6:29/Matthew 5:13)
DELIBERATELY BEING OFFENDED:
Sadly,
some folk, for various reasons, set out to be offended. People,
previously unnoticed for their allegiance or dedication, have taken up
causes and used their suspiciously recent hurts to promote violence,
often seeking to injure or kill those whose direct involvement is
absolutely nil. If a cause is righteous, then it should not be sullied
by unrighteous acts. It is better to be the offended one than the
offender.
ARE OUR LIPS OUR OWN?
God reveals the following about Himself:
1)
That He is our Sovereign God. In Him, we live and move and have our
being (Acts 17:28) God has the right to tell us what He expects from us
and judge us according as we fall short of His requirements.
2)
God tolerates things in His world which He does not approve of. He
does not have to intervene to stop or bring judgement immediately upon
any sin that is committed. However, He has appointed a Day of Judgement
when every last word, idle or otherwise, will be judged. (Matthew
12:36)
3) This being the case, our lips then are not
technically our own. Our powers of expression etc., rightly belong to
Him. We should not use them to further any view or course contrary to
His revealed will. We have liberty to do His will. Anything else is an
abuse of that liberty, even if tolerated in the meantime by God.
4)
Perhaps we have offended on such matters. Perhaps we have offered up
false, unbiblical worship of God in accordance with heretical doctrines
we have held. Perhaps we have defended the most vile and ungodly deeds.
Whatever…we are guilty. However the gospel is this: The blood of Jesus
Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
Salvation,
based entirely on the grace of God (which cannot be bought or earned),
comes to us through repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus
Christ (Acts 20:21) His death at Calvary has satisfied the demands of
the divine Justice of a Holy God - a fact proved by His rising again
victorious from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) The
Scripture says, very clearly, that "Whosoever shall call upon the name
of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13) That word "whosoever" is the
most embracing word in the dictionary.
THIS LEAFLET IS PUBLISHED BY: CORK FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CHURCH WEBSITE: www.corkfpc.com EMAIL: cfpc@esatclear.ie
Cork Free Presbyterian Church, 10 Briarscourt
(Annex) Shanakiel, Cork, Ireland