July 10, 2008
During the month of December 2007 I received a number of emails raising the alarm that a new law was in the works in the U.S. Congress that would end free speech and that would allow the government to arrest and incarcerate any individual who speaks out against the Bush Administration, the war in Iraq, the Department of Homeland Security or any government agency.
When I read the two almost identical versions of the law itself, one in the House and one in the Senate, I noticed that the proposed law was actually about establishing a commission to study the problem of domestic radicalization and make recommendations to the government. This is quite different from a law that criminalizes certain thought or speech activities. It is important to understand that legislation to study and make recommendations about radicalization is not the same as a law that criminalizes specific acts involving speech, protest, and other previously constitutional activities. The circulating emails, in my view, overstated the case for the loss of free speech at least at this time.
But when emails are sent around claiming certain things, it is important to check them out. Keep the Faith Ministry is committed to reliable and accurate information as it relates to prophecy. Free speech is one of those areas we are watching closely. Having said that, it is important that we understand that the constitutional protection of free speech IS being threatened. This new commission may well make recommendations to Congress and the President, whoever that may be, that will justify laws that will radicalize the government’s assault on free speech and the result may involve the very concerns that the circulating emails expressed.
Freedom of speech is a vital defensive shield that protects religious liberty. When free speech is removed or diminished, there is little protection for religious freedom because religious freedom is dependent on the integrity of free speech. For a copy of the bill, you may go to the web and do a Google search in the library of Congress for bill number 1955 and 1959.
Freedom of religion depends on the freedom to develop ones’ own system of belief however repugnant that may be to others. This commission, should the bill be passed and signed into law, will be mandated to get into the murky waters of thought patterns and may well make recommendations that will lead to the criminalization of certain thoughts or ideas.
Though the current bill does not criminalize those who speak out against the government, it’s work, conclusions and recommendations could lead to those things, and the prevention of religious freedom of those that proclaim the biblical principles of Revelation concerning the mark of the beast, the beast itself and antichrist among other things.
Already the Catholic Church has claimed that criticism of the pope is a form of terrorism, particularly if it is done in front of an excitable crowd, such as at a rock concert or perhaps in an environment of fear based on widespread natural disasters, global terrorist activity or nuclear threats, etc.
We need to watch carefully and pray that God will protect His people, and give them wisdom and strength to speak wisely under the Holy Spirit’s guidance. That is the safest way to negotiate a crisis situation.
Note: Highlights and Bolds added for emphasis. Blogman.