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• With the majority of people, freedom of speech does not really mean that the other person is free to speak. It simply means I have the freedom to speak.
• "So," I said rather delicately trying to feel my way through this subject, "you believe everybody has the freedom to express their opinion?"
• "Yes, sir," he said very emphatically. Then he went off on another pontificating spree asserting the rights of all Americans to express their opinion.
• I knew which side of the issue, he was on and so I broached it this way. "You then believe," I said weighing each and every word and syllable, "that you have the right to say a certain thing is right." I mentioned what the thing was but I do not need to include it here.
• "Not only do I believe it," he said on another pontificating spree, "but I practice it every day of my life. Nobody has the right to tell me what I can and cannot believe!"
• "Let me get this right, you have the freedom to say that this," and I mentioned what it was, "is perfectly right."
• He nodded and smiled very broadly and then I continued my thought. "Do I have any rights in this area?" He nodded and indicated I could continue speaking. "You have the right to believe that this certain thing is right, but do I have the right to believe that it is wrong?"
• Well, you might have hit him with a double-barreled shotgun. He never thought of it that way. All he thought of was what his opinion was and that he had the complete freedom to express that opinion. Anybody who had a different opinion did not have the same right as he did to express it.
• "I never thought of it that way," he stammered as he stared at me. "I'm going to have to give that some more thought."
• Somebody who believes something is right has the complete freedom to say so. On the other side of the track, the person who believes it is wrong has just as much right to think and say that it is wrong.
• It is hard to keep up with a world that is constantly changing, especially in this area. That is why I love the Bible so much. That is why I am a follower of Jesus Christ because neither one ever changes. I take great refuge in what the Bible says. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever," (Hebrews 13:8).
• Today I rest in the unchanging grace and character of the God who loves me and provided for my salvation. And, tomorrow will be the same.
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• Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 1-866-552-2543 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. His web site is www.jamessnyderministries.com.