My friend, the CL, claims you have the right to yell "fire" in a crowded theater.

After reading his argument and based on several discussions we have had on the subject, I think I have his rationale down. He is saying we have the right to yell "fire" because we a natural right to speak freely. He has told me there can be consequences to our speech but the right is there to say whatever we want.

On a base level, I agree, IF speech is a natural right, but I am not so sure. As a Christian, I believe God has granted certain rights as freedoms as individuals but even those are tempered by how we treat others.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say we can say anything we please at anytime. There are limitations dictated by God on what we say. In the Ten Commandments God wrote we should not "bear false witness." That means lying against another man or woman. According to the CL, we would have the right to lie at anytime about anyone, which is a clear violation of God's word.

God does not contradict Himself. He gives us our rights but He wouldn't allow a right that violates His Word. Man, as fallen beings, bastardized his Commandments to fit our warped view, so I am a little sketchy on exactly how far our "right" to free speech extends.

I believe anyone's freedoms and rights extend to the point where they impede on someone else's rights and freedoms.

The CL says we have the right to yell "fire" in a crowded theater because we are allowed to under natural law. Then it must also be ok if I stand in front of someone during that same movie and scream in their face during the show. After all, I have the "right" to say anything I please anytime and anywhere.

Where I get confused is - and maybe theCL can explain it - what about the right of the individual who can't see or hear the movie because I am simply expressing my "rights?"

Partnered with the right to free speech is also the right to hear other viewpoints and opinions. Do I have the right to scream over a politician I disagree with so he or she can't get their message out?

Rights are sticky. We all want then and have a, well, a right to them, but we also have to tread with caution because others have rights as well and we can't infringe on them.

I guess the ultimate discussion point between theCL and myself is whether we are naturally granted the right to say anything at anytime. He believes we are and I am not so sure.

I am firm believer in free speech and no one, especially the government, should be able to infringe on that. However, in a civilized society, we must exercise discretion and even have a FEW laws that protect people from harmful speech.

I am not talking about criticizing politicians or political dissent, I am talking about a law that would prevent a grown man from saying lewd things to little girls or threatening to kill someone.

Describing free speech reminds of the old line about pornography: I can't define it but I know it when I see it - in this care hear it.

In Summary

I agree with theCL in one respect. If we are granted total free speech naturally, then we should have the right to say anything anywhere at anytime. That doesn't mean man-made reprecussions will not follow.

What I disagree on is if free speech is supposed to be granted to us totally unfettered.

What do you think?

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