Can Speech Ever be Free?

by Joseph Stoutzenberger

I have been hearing a great deal about free speech these days. It is a bedrock of American democracy, enshrined in the First Amendment to the Constitution. However, if by free, we mean without consequences, then there is no such thing as free speech.

I knew a fellow teacher who used to make deeply disparaging remarks about co-workers. When the target of his attacks called him on it, he would simply say, “I was only joking,” as if that excused his hateful speech. Can you imagine saying, “Why are you wearing that ugly dress? Did you get it from your grandmother’s closet?” and then dismissing the comment as a joke? The harm is done, and the speaker knows it. I have been hearing politicians making hateful, hurtful, belittling remarks about anyone who disagrees with them. That’s not free speech. That’s a sinful use of language, a violation of the eighth commandment not to bear false witness.

Jesus was attuned to the reality that our words can be as deadly as physically harming another. Here is just one instance when he called out those who would speak ill of another: “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool’, you will be liable to the hell of fire” (Matthew 5:21-22). Pretty strong words, but pretty insightful. Hate speech is fuel for creating hell on earth. Later Jesus says, “it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles” (Matthew 15:11). Some popular politicians exhibit a sewer-mouth and foment an atmosphere of anger and hatred. All in the name of free speech!

Whatever happened to the simple wisdom we learned as children? “If you can’t say something good about someone, don’t say anything.” The French priest who began the Sisters of St. Joseph proposed the following maxim for those who wished to live a Christian life: “Always speak favorably of others and value highly the good in them, excusing and covering up, in the best way you can, the deficiencies they might have.” That’s a far cry from yelling out real or imagined flaws in others. 

I have a friend who bears within himself the painful memory of coming home in third grade with C’s on his report card. His strict, insensitive father told him, “Look at those grades! You are stupid and will never amount to anything!” That friend went on to achieve quite a few accomplishments, using his mind. However, whenever he failed at something, he slumped into depression and said, “My father was right. I am stupid. Why do I even try to presume otherwise.” Words can be deadly. A hurtful, inconsiderate remark is like a pebble in a pond, spreading an atmosphere of hate throughout society that can linger a very long time. Hindus call it bad karma, whose effects last over many lifetimes. Perhaps, more importantly than free speech, the bedrock of civil society is kindness, first and foremost, kind words. I have often been struck by the image of Jesus healing a man who, from birth, could not speak. I wondered what the first words would be if someone had never spoken before and had time to think about what they wanted to say after a lifetime of silence. Would it be the nasty words spoken by my fellow teacher, who was always quick to point out another’s weaknesses? Would it be to enter into the discourse I hear on cable news channels or from commentators and politicians who can’t bring themselves to say a kind word about anyone they dislike? I would hope that when given the gift of speech by Jesus, the man born unable to speak would find it in himself to utter words of gratitude to God and comfort and compassion to those around him. All of us able to speak would do well to appreciate that speech is a gift, even if bestowed upon us at an early age. What a shame it is, and how deadly, when we don’t use it to offer comfort, compassion, and understanding of others.