Some days it seems fake news and freedom are conspiring to create anarchy. Americans think speech should come naturally, freely. We take a lot for granted. Of course, we’re probably spoiled rotten by the blessing of free speech.
Can Fake News and Freedom Co-exist?
Fake news; we hear about it all the time. Naturally, all the foolishness make us wonder if the press can be trusted. Does a free press still serve the purpose our forefathers intended? Certainly truth and freedom are deeply connected.
Freedom to Innovate
But, let’s pause a minute and think about Johannes Gutenberg’s experience? He invented the printing press around 1439. Really, he wasn’t doing something world-changing on purpose. He just wanted to simplify book-making with better print technology.
Can you imagine hand copying and adding artists’ illustrations individually page by page? Or, carving wooden blocks for each page in a book? Of course, books were a luxury. Who, but the most elite, could afford such labor-intensive art?
There was money to be made in better technology then, as now.
Anarchy or Perfect Timing
Interestingly, Gutenberg wasn’t the only guy with innovative ideas. Simultaneously, a movement developed that seemed like anarchy at the time. Why would anyone translate the Bible from Latin, the traditional language, into the languages of the common people? Throughout Europe, a wave of brave souls risked their lives translating. What rebels! To translate the scriptures into common languages so common folks could understand for themselves. Horrified, the political and religious elite pushed back.
A New Middle Class
The ruling class did everything they could to suppress this new wave of religious freedom and education. In spite of them, the printing press made new translations readily available. An educated middle class developed throughout Europe. They yearned for more books.
What timing! A mere fifty years later, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. We all know what happened next. With dedication and daring, a whole continent of possibility opened up. Courageous souls braved the odds for freedom. With freedom, came a still greater birth of religious freedom. To ensure religious freedom, our forefathers committed to free speech and free press as well.
Our American Heritage of Freedom
Is it any coincidence that the pioneers and pilgrims of the new world brought their Bibles, their independent spirit, and their devotion to freedom of religion with them? America has a long history of combining education, the Bible, and freedom of religion with freedom of speech. (I hope you enjoy my great grandmother’s pastel drawing of a church for an illustration on this topic of how generations before us hoped to pass down their values.)
In fact, many colonies, including Maryland (Catholic), Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and South Carolina (all Anglican), Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut (all Congregational), spelled out their religious beliefs so specifically that American denominations can trace their roots right back through American history.
Uniting Diverse Religious Perspectives for Liberty
One could easily argue that the American Revolution depended on the printing press to spread ideas. Also, the printing press united the otherwise religiously diverse colonies around the idea of personal liberty. Thomas Paine’s 1775 flyer, labeled Common Sense, stands out as an example of writing for liberty, but no one could overlook Benjamin Franklin’s Almanac either. Both are great examples of how the printing press technology expressed American attitudes.
Our Forefathers Valued the Printed Word
Our forefathers cherished the inherent value of the printed word. They intended to populate their new land with generations of citizens who could obtain books and read them. Why? Because they understood the value of education in choosing wise principles in order to govern oneself.
We could easily argue the timing was no coincidence. Instead, the timing suggests the unfolding of a beautiful blessing of liberty orchestrated by a loving God and implemented by courageous men and women. With freedom ringing all around us, we never want to take for granted freedom of speech or freedom of the press, brought to us courtesy of the First Amendment.
Will you join me in praying for our country?
Father in heaven, You created order from nothing. In Your great mercy, You delighted to give man free will. You demonstrate Your sacrificial love for us in setting us free to make our own decisions. Then, in tender compassion, You provided a way for us to come to You, in spite of our sinful choices. Through Your Son’s death and resurrection, our debts were paid. Our freedom is bought and paid for by You, if we will only receive the gift. In all this, You are the One who models and provides true Freedom.
We pray now, that our country would be a nation populated and governed by those who choose self-government. Teach us to deal respectfully with others, respecting the freedom You’ve established. Allow us to understand the nature of our laws, applying the spirit of truth as we seek justice for all. Thank you for the gift of the printed word and education. Thank you for allowing us to be children of forefathers who valued religious freedom, free speech, and education. May we ever guard and cherish freedom? We pray in Jesus’s name.
We love to hear from you….
Is there a story of personal freedom you would love to share? When have you made a mistake that taught you a valuable lesson about freedom? Who in your life most represents freedom?
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Cathy Krafve, Texas Author, Texas Columnist, Texas Speaker, Texas Radio Host, Christian Marriage, Christian Family, Christian Author, Christian Speaker, Christian Radio Personality, www.CathyKrafve.com., Truth with a Texas Twang, Fireside Talk Radio
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