Issue 39.16
Liberty can be defined as the right and ability to speak, think and act of our own will and choice as long as the actions we take do not infringe upon the freedoms and well-being of others. An article I wrote early in this series examined the difference between freedom and liberty. Freedom is the ability to move, decide, act and choose what we will do or not do. Liber is a state of being that includes understanding the principles of freedom and choosing to live and think in accordance with those principles. As we do so we create Liberty for ourselves and others. I believe it is possible to live in a state of liberty even when incarcerated and restricted from some actions. History has many examples of those who have created liberty and freedom for themselves and others even while restricted in some ways.
Some of my personal heroes have suffered grave injustice from governments or from their fellow man, but exemplified their ability to choose and make a difference in spite of those restrictions. In some cases, I cannot excuse moral choices in their personal lives, but acknowledge their contributions to liberty and freedom. People like Gandhi, Martin Luther, Tyndale, Wycliffe, Martin Luther King, and many others have spent time in exile or in jail, but made a difference in the world in spite of that. Some have given their lives willingly to provide a better world and more understanding. Others have had their lives taken in an effort to stop the spread of freedom and peace they were intent on creating.
When our country, our liberty and our freedoms were threatened at the beginning of World War II, millions volunteered to risk their lives and even surrender them if necessary in defense of those unalienable rights. This proves to me that there are rights valued by many, even above the right to life. Defending liberty is one of those values. To be in alignment with that value is only possible however if we realize that making that defense must be voluntary – the people must choose to defend it and prove by their actions that they believe those rights are best defended by the government and people they represent.
I grew up in an era when many considered it unpatriotic to choose not to serve in Vietnam. Some considered it treason. I want it clearly understood that I appreciate and honor those who did serve – especially those who volunteered to do so because they felt it imperative to counter the forces of communism with their efforts, lives and sacred honor. I also honor those who felt that we had overstepped our mandate by acting to intervene in foreign nations. If individuals believed that they could best serve the unalienable rights of mankind by refusing to kill others who were being forced to kill in service of their respective governments, I can respect that. In a system that honors and creates Liberty, both groups deserve our respect and appreciation. They are acting out of their sincere desire to support the principles of freedom they believe in. They just have different ideas of how to accomplish that support or which principles are most important.
Liberty can only be achieved through understanding and courage. We must educate ourselves and our posterity in what the principles of freedom are. We must stand up when we see injustice or when our government oversteps. We must resist efforts by special interests within and without our government that wish to enrich themselves or take power at our expense. Studying the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution as well as the writings of those who created them will help us with that understanding. Only our actions and words to those we have influence with can retain those freedoms and liberty. That takes courage and determination.
Lynn West is a thinker, a teacher and a patriot. You can reach him through email at forgingthefuture2021@gmail.com or through this newspaper. Liberty is a state of being which must be continually created. These articles can help all of us discover the ways we can contribute to that outcome.