One of the things we see a lot of these days is people protesting against things they don’t like – particularly in the political arena. Now I am definitely a “free speech” advocate and believe people ought to be able to advocate for their preferred beliefs, even if it is contrary to my beliefs.
In fact, freedom of speech was born out of a biblical worldview. The Bible portrays human beings as being free-will creatures who can choose the direction of their own lives. We are not robots who are programmed to act in a particular way. And when it comes to whether or not a person follows God, individuals have to choose for themselves whether or not they will do it. So even when I disagree with a person’s point of view or actions, I firmly believe they must choose for themselves what they will do. Of course, if they choose to do things that are illegal they should pay the consequences of their actions. And when they choose to reject God, they will face eternal consequences – but they make that choice.
That said, there are those who scream “free speech” when people push back against their speech, yet believe they have the right to squelch others when they see or hear something they don’t like – and if anyone says anything about that, they scream “free speech” once again because they believe they are free to put other people down.
Jamie Sanchez lives in Denver, Colorado and felt a calling by God to serve the homeless in his city. He set up a homeless ministry called Recycle God’s Love in the Santa Fe Art District. He started out by creating a small group Bible study and providing meals to the homeless, but the ministry has since grown into a large community initiative that involves churches, local businesses, and volunteers providing all kinds of services. Then, as a part of the ministry, Sanchez opened up “The Drip Café” – a regular coffee shop that also hires and mentors individuals who have sobered up and gone through the ministry’s rehab program. (You can read Sanchez’es story at https://www.foxnews.com/media/christian-coffee-shop-owner-helping-homeless-faces-protests-far-left-city)
But even before the coffee shop opened, they began receiving social media attacks accusing them of being anti-gay. Then protesters began showing up holding signs and passing out flyers accusing them of being run by a “right-wing church” that hated those in the LGBTQ community. They particularly objected to homosexuality being labeled a sin on the ministry’s website. They have even gone so far as to vandalize the store and break windows. Yes, those who pride themselves on being “inclusive” and advocates of “free speech” are neither inclusive nor do they allow speech that does not agree with their preferences.
One of the largest groups who are doing the protesting are homosexual activists. But they are not the only ones. The Denver Communists are also getting in on the act. They assert that they are not so much protesting because don’t like Christians, but because of its religions beliefs on sexuality. They have been particularly vile, however, accusing the shop of being affiliated with neo-Nazis, accusing staff of throwing out slurs and threats, and telling the owner he’s not welcome and to kill himself. In response, Sanchez replied, “I love you, and you are welcome to come in peacefully.
So what is the difference? Why do the homosexuals and Communists spew hate when they don’t like another person’s point of view, yet the Christians express love even when being assaulted?
The spiritual answer is that Christians have God’s Spirit motivating them, while the non-Christians are guided by Satan. But in trying to gain a deeper understanding, there are some other things we can also say about this based on an understanding of worldview – keeping in mind, of course, that a Christian’s worldview is informed by their objectively real personal relationship with God.
A worldview is a person’s understanding of the very structure of reality. Christians not only have their worldview informed by an intellectual belief in God, but by the very Spirit of God indwelling them. That indwelling has given rise to a transformation that causes believers to love God, love fellow human beings, and desire to see other people know a relationship with God. That becomes the motivation for their thinking, their moral understanding, and their actions.
Those who are not Christians do not have God in their lives, so don’t have the ability to exercise or express a biblical worldview. This does not mean that every non-believer is hateful like those opposing Sanchez, but it does mean that the motivation for the way they think is not powered by God in them. They think and act the way they do based on their personal preferences.
And the personal preference of many is hatred toward people who don’t agree with their own moral druthers. And this is what we see in those expressing evil toward the ones trying to do good in their community. It is the height of hypocrisy for them to demand that their free speech and moral preferences be accommodated, while not allowing it for those with whom they disagree.