The Responsibility of Freedom.
Our culture is all for freedom. Freedom of speech. Freedom of expression. Freedom of choice. However, freedom is only half the story. Alongside freedom we must always place responsibility. Responsibility will never allow freedom to run rampant and do whatever it chooses.
I like the story of the man being interviewed for a job. "Are you responsible?" asked the prospective employer. "I surely am", said the applicant, "why, at my last job every time something went wrong they said I was responsible"!!
Some time back my wife and I lived in the United States for 6 months. To get around, we rented a car. As compared to driving here in Australia, I sat on the wrong side of the car and drove on the wrong side of the road! Yet, when we got used to the differences, it wasn't too bad at all. But imagine what would happen if we returned to Australia and demanded the freedom to keep driving on the right hand side of the road. Would that not be freedom of choice? Freedom of expression? Yes, it would. But it would also be terribly irresponsible!
In a healthy society, there is no such thing as unbridled freedom. True freedom involves responsibility - responsible choices and decisions, responsible actions and words. What is the point if we demand and get our so-called freedom so that we can speak and act in ways that are irresponsible and destructive to others? Freedom without responsibility is a recipe for disaster.
All around us today are people who want freedom but who resent being held responsible for how they use that freedom. Ask any police officer who has been involved in arresting wrongdoers. "I'm sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me". Those are the words of a person who understands that freedom and responsibility must be held together in delicate balance at all times.
