1st Amendment: Freedom for All or Some?

If you look at the wording of the 1st Amendment it was written by geniuses. It basically tells the government that the people have the God given right to practice religion, have the ability to speak freely, have an independent press, and assemble to protest the government. The government cannot make any rules, laws, or such to limit this freedom. Note that it does not mention any particular group that these rights pertain to, but to the whole human race.

So my question is why do we allow groups of people that may not like a point of view to shut down speech or the practice of religious freedom? Trust me I, like many, find things some people say objectionable from a moral, human, and political stand point, but I will defend their right to be an idiot. I figure that over time their idiocy will show clearly enough for the vast majority to shun them and their cause be discredited. Today I look around and see that instead of the 1st amendment protecting all it is only protecting some. Minority groups (not speaking of any race, religion, or preference in particular) chronically shut down free speech and free practice of religion when a view they don’t like is communicated.

So let me use a couple of examples to illustrate my point. First, let us take a look at the most recent issue regarding Duck Dynasty star, Phil Robertson. Mr. Robertson during an interview with GQ magazine stated some opinions that were viewed as “hate” speech by homosexual and African-American groups. Their complaints along with the decision by the A&E network have led to the suspension of Mr. Robertson from the show indefinitely. This is just one example of many the pop up from time to time where I feel a person’s 1st amendment right of free speech and free practice of religion is not respected. So let me break it down of why I feel this way.

• A. Mr. Robertson is a Christian and his religious belief in the sinfulness of homosexuality is clearly evident in the bible

• His interview was his own views and never did he represent that these views were shared by the A&E network

• Even though his religious convictions are in direct opposition of homosexuality, Mr. Robertson has stated the following: "My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the Bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together. However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other."

• A&E clearly stated that Mr. Robertson’s views are not of their own, "We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series 'Duck Dynasty.' His personal views in no way reflect those of A&E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely."

I understand that A&E is the employer and as such has the right to remove Mr. Robertson, an employee, for his views. By doing so they have basically pronounced that your 1st amendment right to free speech and practice of your religious beliefs are not valued. But I guess what I don’t understand in this situation is their comment that they are strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. Ok so you support the group and their values. So are you saying that you don’t support Christian values? Are you saying that in support of that group you will also discriminate against another group? I guess where I am going is why would you basically fire an individual for “personal” comments they made not on the air but to a magazine that had nothing to do with A&E? Why would you not come out with your own personal comment denouncing Mr. Robertson’s comments and also make it clear that A&E does not agree with them, but do support the right of Mr. Robertson to practice his 1st amendment right?

It is funny in that when groups like LGBT, Muslims, and others make comments that offend Christians or conservative women (MSNBC-Palin, Bill Maher-Palin, ….) that the companies that employ them failed to act accordingly or with the same speed. Bottom line is that I do not agree with the action A&E took. I think it demonstrates the lack of understanding of what our constitution is about and proves that the company has little backbone to support the construct of the constitution.

My second example is about Christmas in general. Christmas has been attacked over the years and more so recently. Today if you wish someone a Merry Christmas you are looked at strangely. The so called politically correct police try to mandate that you use the term Happy Holidays. I am a believer in Jesus Christ and such celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ. I am not Muslim or Jewish or African that celebrates the other celebrations that fall during this time of year. So for me to wish someone a Merry Christmas I am not imposing my religious beliefs or mandating my religious practice on them. I am simply giving them a salutation wishing them the best during this time of celebration. As such if a Jew wished me a Happy Hanukah I would not be offended or feel obligated to practice the Jewish rituals during their celebratory season.

Simply stated I can’t understand why some groups try to prevent others celebrating their traditions. Why should I have to limit my practice of religion because a group is offended by my religious belief? Why do you need to eliminate the word Christmas? Why are you attacking Christian values, but not that of Muslims, Jews, or other groups? Just recently at a Christmas concert I overheard a person say wonder why they didn’t have one non-religious song. I was thinking to myself it is a Christmas concert and the whole point of Christmas is Christ, not Santa or commercialism. If you want a Holiday concert then sponsor one and sing whatever you want. If you want a Ramadan concert then sing traditional Muslim tunes…. You get the point. Christmas is not for everyone since not everyone is Christian, but just because you don’t like Christianity don’t try to take its traditional celebration away from Christians. Come up with your own tradition and practice it.

I see a fundamental attempt to take away the Christian values this country was founded on in order to appease the minority groups in this country. In doing so, you don’t gain inclusion but the opposite. You just are excluding and separating the groups more. As we continue down this road you see the country slipping into the dark depths of a banana republic. As you lose the values that made this nation great you spend more than you have, you slide into anarchy.

I hope you all have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and may God find a way to enlighten us to the errors of our ways in the New Year.

Make Each Day Count,

Beach Bum Philosopher