“Freedom of Expression


Dr. Jipson Lawrance

“Freedom of Expression"

A lady once said to me, "you must be from the south," Although I am from the south, I started school in Kerala and have lived in at least five different states. She then turned to the person with me and said, "and I know you're from the north!" and he said, "Yes, North Houston!" and we all laughed.

It is becoming more and more difficult to identify where a person is from by their accent. And it matters little about our race or political affiliation; as Christians what counts is that we are Children of God and Indian Citizen.

When I was a senior in high school, my English Teacher decided that we should all learn to debate. So, one day each week we took turnabout with an assigned position to defend.

Everyone wanted to win so the debates often became heated with others in the class also wanting to express their views.

Afterward, the debaters were to tell something they had learned from their opponent and to shake hands. Then the rest of the class was invited to say what they had learned, and there would always be a few who had changed their positions.

Our teacher often made the point that debates and the freedom to express our opposing views are the only way the ideas and wishes of our society, as a whole can be revealed and is what has made our country, what many believe to be the greatest in the world.

Every Indian has the right, and responsibility to express their opinions, and should listen respectfully to opposing views.

Governing our country is not a ball game where it doesn't matter who wins. Our country is our life and that of our children and future generations, and the free world.

Perhaps our politicians will always remember that what is right for our country as a whole is more important than personal political interests and special interest groups.

It's possible that if either party were to gain permanent control our country might be led so far off course to the left or the right that it could end in ruin

Hopefully our amazing Democracy will continue, ideally with one party remaining in control for one or two terms and occasionally three, and then change to the other parties as it has always done; This will continue to keep our country on a slightly zig-zag course but in line with our Constitution. 

We should love and care for our country, defend the right to free speech and allow the opinions of others. These qualities have helped make our country the envy of the world.

Red, yellow, black, or white, or Independent we should bravely and peacefully speak our opinion and allow our brothers and sisters to do the same, and then select.  

More than anything we need the love of Jesus; a love that can bind all people together. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart," and the second is to "Love your neighbor as yourself," (Matt 22:36-40).