Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. – Amendment I to the US Constitution
The free communication of ideas and opinions is one of the most precious of the rights of man. Every citizen may, accordingly, speak, write, and print with freedom, but shall be responsible for such abuses of this freedom as shall be defined by law. – Article 11 of the French Declaration of Human Rights
As you might have heard, terrorists attacked the offices of a French satiric newspaper today, killing 12 people and injuring many more. This appears to be a reaction to the magazine’s determination to publish cartoons and commentary about the prophet Mohammad. In fact, the newspaper has been threatened before and its offices were burned in 2011.
“Charlie Hebdo” is the name of the newspaper. Frankly, I’ve never read it. It might be the most obnoxious piece of journalism on earth – perhaps it is the pinnacle of the satiric art form. I don’t know and I really don’t care.
The American and French cultures don’t always get along. They love Jerry Lewis and hate baseball. We love baseball and are slightly embarrassed by Jerry Lewis. And I will never understand how with all there is to eat on earth someone would pick snails.
But both nations agree about freedom of speech and are willing to do virtually whatever it takes to protect it. It is part of our human DNA and literally written into the founding documents of our nations.
My prayers are with the dead and injured in France. I’m also praying for the pathetic souls who perpetrated this outrage. They truly have lost their way.
Innocent people around the world are dying a martyr’s death today, a great many of them for refusing to deny Christ. It takes incredible faith and courage to die for your faith, and we see that level of bravery constantly.
Today, in France, we saw the exact opposite: terrorists willing to kill for their religion. Either they don’t understand their religion or their religion is in dire need of reform. True God does not require murder; He saves.
