Freedom is generally defined as removal from physical restraint such as slavery, oppression, or detention. It is synonymous with rights and free choice/will as well as lack of modesty/reserve and assertion of boldness or frankness. With a vast array of interpretations and definitions assigned to it, freedom can be ambiguous. Suffice to say, freedom should encompass emancipation of not just the body, but the mind, soul, and spirit as well. Transcending ambiguity, true freedom should necessitate moral responsibility, adhere to Truth, and be non-repressive as well as self-respectful.
The thoughts of a person do not go unseen for their thoughts are soon revealed in the substance of their deeds. Thoughts constitute a person’s morals – principles of conduct or a system of beliefs which they live by or are governed accordingly. A person’s morals distinguish their character. A thought was at the core Weapons of Mass Destruction, War on Terror, Khmer Rouge, Darfur genocide, the Holocaust, the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and a slew of other human atrocities – all exemplary of freedom without moral responsibility. Moral responsibility eradicates inventions or innovations that destroy the root or basis of life
“And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free (Scofield Reference Bible).” At the core of this new freedom, paradigm should be truth rooted in God’s consciousness – not from the viewpoint of religious sectarianism, dogmas, and personalities. God represents that which is true and right. Truth is the correct knowledge and understanding of reality. That which creates, sustains, and maintains life in harmony with the natural cycles of this planet, doing no harm to the ecology or people of the Earth- is right. These definitions of Godliness, Truth, and Rightness often seem esoteric, but if they can be defined then they are knowable and thus attainable as the Scripture asserts.
An individual has to follow the path they feel is right for them and respect for their right to choose their path is what makes freedom non-repressive. Imposition of will and lack of respect for this right further perpetuates the premise one man’s heaven is another man’s hell. The world consists of countless governments and imposed laws – indicative in essence of an imbalanced, repressed society. A governmental structure is obligated to protect its citizens from abuse and unjust persecution. Congruent with this is the individual’s responsibility to ensure that their rights and freedoms do not harm their fellow citizens and society as a whole
Moral responsibility, truth, love/self-respect, and non-repressive epitomize true freedom. The physical world is a mirror of the human mind/thought. The plethora of ills plaguing the planet and the human family today is the result of a world morally and righteously void due to rapacious materialism and technological prowess and a failure to implement moral principles such as freedom beyond mere tokenism and rhetoric. The ramifications and repercussions are evident – rampant war and violence, deception (doublespeak), fraud, crime, torture, sexual abuse, and lasciviousness, etc; which has become normalized. If freedom is synonymous with rights, then should encompass the right not to be murdered, defrauded or stolen from, abused, lied on/to, or unjustly persecuted by either individuals or the state. Freedom will only be an allusion without the aforementioned components as its base.
Bibliography
Scofield, C.I. Reverend, Editor. The Scofield Study Bible. Oxford University Press: New York, 1917.