In many countries people value the right of “free speech”. But free speech can be dangerous. On 10th September the right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead while addressing an audience on the campus of Utah Valley University. The assassin argued that Kirk, who was religious and outspoken on his views on morality, was spreading hate.
This sort of thing is not new. In the First Century the apostles were openly defiant of the Jewish leaders’ order not to preach about the risen Jesus (Acts 4:15-20). But, as a result, many were persecuted and some lost their lives (Acts 7:45-60, 8:1-3, 12:1-2). These apostles were falsely accused of blasphemy.
In the Law of Moses, which God gave to the nation of Israel, the punishment for blasphemy was indeed death (Leviticus 24:10-16), but the apostles were telling the truth. Blasphemy laws were revoked in the UK in 2008. They are considered an infringement of human rights and free speech. But God still hates blasphemy. God does not like some forms of ‘free speech’.
In fact, in most countries, ‘free speech’ is qualified. This means that there are restrictions. For example, citizens are not entitled to threaten national security or public safety, and should not encourage disorder or crime. Inciting hatred is not allowed. Ironically, in many places, people have to be careful about how they present Bible teaching, because people are still arrested and convicted for what they say.
In many ways, however, in this age of social media and widespread access to the internet, we have more free speech than ever before. But free speech can be ‘weaponised’. It can be used to aggravate or irritate and can lead to embarrassment, humiliation, inappropriate action and even violence. We have seen, and still see, examples of this. Free speech can do harm.
Another consequence is that ‘fake news’ and misleading information abound. If we cannot evaluate the validity of what we read or hear, then this too can be dangerous.
For example, doctors must be careful not to present their opinions as fact, and must make sure that they take reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy of what they say. Under the regulatory terms of their profession, they are required to ensure that what they say is accurate and so not misleading. This is because their role is to promote good and not harm. Disinformation could lead people to do unhealthy or dangerous things or not to do healthy things.
Doctors need to be careful because most people are unable to evaluate the medical literature and research results. They are unlikely to have access to things like primary research data.
And that brings us to the Bible. Much is said and written about the Bible. Preachers should take special care to ensure that they speak accurately, that they do not misrepresent the Bible, and that they clearly distinguish between their own opinion and fact. But many do not. Consequently, much of what is in the public domain is disinformation and fake. Unlike medical data, most of us have access to a Bible. It is therefore critically important that we check the Bible to evaluate what people say about it.
Disinformation from a medical doctor can lead to death. Disinformation about the Bible can lead to eternal death.
So let us value what the apostles did, risking their lives so that we could have the Bible. And then read it for ourselves, checking what it actually says. And take notice of what it says.
Anna Hart