Right to Free Speech

by annemariedemyen, posted in Social Issues

During this global pandemic, many churches have taken their services online in an effort to protect their congregation from catching or transmitting this potentially fatal  disease.  Whether they choose to, or are forced to by law, this is meant to be a good thing.

The Regina Victory Church is one of our local churches that has moved to online services via Facebook and You Tube.     Last weekend, they posted a sermon “Raising Godly Children”  by their pastor, Terry Murphy.

In this sermon, Murphy told parents that they should discourage their children from making poor choices – specifically making the ‘choice’ of becoming gay,  (which he insinuated is on par with  ‘pedophilia’ or ‘being a tramp’ – amongst other ongodly things). 

When the LGBTQ spoke out against this sermon, Murphy claimed to be a strong person with strong opinions who was a champion of personal rights such as free speech.  He would not apologize for his opinions, nor would he be silenced or ‘cancelled’.

This weekend, Murphy posted an ‘apology’ on the church website.  He apologized to those who may have been offended and assured them that he never meant to be offensive.   ‘Sorry, not sorry’. 

Sadly, I am not surprised by any of this.

The right to free speech is meant to protect citizens and grant them the right to speak out against misguided political policies, injustice, and the like. 

It disgusts me when those with power and authority attack vulnerable groups in our society. It disgusts me even more when they justify their ignorance and cruelty by cowering behind their ‘right to free speech’.

Our ‘right to free speech‘ is a privilege – one that we are most fortunate to possess. I, for one, am tired of seeing it bastardized by these pathetic bullies who use it as a weapon to encourage hatred, spread lies and misinformation, and generally target and undermine anyone, or any specific group of people.

🇨🇦

21 thoughts on “Right to Free Speech”

  9. Thankfully there is free speech and all are given a chance to hear what folks like the ungodly Rev are thinking out loud and clear, unfortunately I have to put him on par with the ones he loves and the ones he demonized.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I also appreciate that we have free speech. I disagree with putting this guy on a par with the people he was preaching to or the people he was preaching about. He used the power of his pulpit when he posted this.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Sadly on a more global scope I see the Vatican this afternoon has taken a stance on same-sex marriages, saying no can do and dropping the S word (sinful) for old time sake. The Regina Rev is just one of the many driving folks to a more open inclusive age.

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  13. Well I suspect more people will be encouraged to step away from dogmatism and thus into a more open inclusive age. It is not pleasant to witness but may actually wake enough of us up.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Christ taught us to be compassionate. In fact, if we are to receive any of his messages this is perhaps the most important one, other than loving each other the way he loved us. I am Buddhist by choice. Mr. Murphy’s words came from a place of arrogance, ignorance and hatefullnes. As a Buddhist, I strive against attachment to these things or talk of this nature. It is not considered what we call “right speech” because it does not take responsibilty for the greater well being of all. Yet, I have great compassion for Mr. Murphy. Since he has of yet to find his own compassionate nature it will be the source of much of his suffering. Susi

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  20. Excellent piece.
    “…making the choice of being gay,” said the “good” rev.

    As if it’s a choice. As if people want to choose a life in which they are belittled, marginalized, subjected to the bigotry of small minded people and not being allowed to live their own lives in peace.

    As a Roman Catholic priest he shows some unmitigated gall to bring pedophilia into the conversation.

    I noted in one of your responses to another comment that you were raised Roman Catholic. I was raised Roman Catholic as well and rejected the church late in my forties when I couldn’t reconcile the church with my own personal beliefs. I joined the Episcopal Church, which I found to be very inclusive. I remained for some time before I dropped religion for good. Or bad? I suppose I’ll get the answer to that question in due time.

    Here in America we have a very large problem with “christians,” who are really nationalists hiding under the robes of Jesus.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. I guess that is my biggest issue with all religions – there are too many who use it to hide their true intentions.
    I do miss much of my Catholic upbringing and the ‘good’ it brought to my life. (Not so much the bad that was brought through it). Nowadays I prefer to live a spiritual life and living it as I see fit.
    Thank you for your comment and have a great day!

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