As I reflect on the French Charlie Hedbo massacre, I am reminded of many Christians around the world who are persecuted for sharing their faith. Their right to freedom of speech and belief is violated as people disagree with their views. When we fight for the right of freedom of expression for anyone, we are fighting for the right of freedom of expression for everyone. The rights of persecuted Christians and the rights of those whose views and beliefs are different to ours are tied together. We cannot argue for the rights of the one without affirming the rights of the other. In addition, when we defend the rights of those we strong disagree with we elevate the human right we are affirming - or if we only defend the rights of those we agree with, we are proclaiming through our inaction that we do not actually believe in equality and dignity for all. It is wrong to kill anyone because their views are different to ours. Violence is the refuge of those who do not have confidence in the ultimate truth of their convictions. If we want to challenge ideologies different to ours, we do this as Desmond Tutu says not by raising our voice (or being violent), but by improving our argument. When I say #IAMCharlie, I am not affirming what Charlie Hedbo stood for, but the rights of Chalie Hedbo to freely proclaim their views... as I am proclaiming the rights of every human being to freely proclaim their views. Dialogue, not suppression of free speech, or violence is what is needed. I am not afraid of Charlie Hedbos or anyones pernicious ideologies because I believe in the ultimate truth of a loving God whose kingdom of righteousness, justice and truth will ultimately prevail. First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me Martin Niemöller
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 08:34:05 +0000
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