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Focus on the Freedom
In 1977, Dr. James Dobson founded Focus on the Family (FotF), an evangelical Christian organization which promotes building healthy families in a traditional marriage. FotF bases many of their deeply rooted opinions from a Christian perspective and supporters strive to live their lives by the word of God. They spread their anti-gay and anti-choice beliefs through many forms of media. Members of FotF are also heavy supporters of the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. In opposition to homosexuality, FotF comments, “Homosexual behavior violates God's intentional design for gender and sexuality.” According to the Right Wing Watch, in 2006 FotF had 10 magazine publications and Dobson was broadcasted daily on 3,400 radio stations, national and international, as well as being viewed on 80 television broadcasts. Through these publications and formats of expression, the Focus on the Family organization diligently maintains free speech in the United States. Controversial ideologies, like those of Focus on the Family, are cornerstones to our society and democratic ideals.
Freedom of speech is necessary to maintain a democratic nation. In 1776, the founding fathers of our country established a constitution that put our freedom of speech and expression above all else. Our democracy thrives and exists because of our ability as citizens to participate in the conversation of our government. Through our democratic election process, voters utilize their freedom of speech when electing a representative at both state and federal levels of government. This freedom of expression through the elected officials allows for a healthy democratic process where a range of opinions is considered in governmental decisions. Alongside our right to participate in the government with our ballot slip, our freedom of speech also extends to our right to petition the government to address their mistakes. As citizens, the freedom of expression, as detailed in the First Amendment, is the biggest check we have on our government. When we become a government limited by a group or individuals beliefs, we lose everything the founders were fighting for because we no longer have free speech in our country.
Freedom of speech is necessary to maintain a democratic nation. In 1776, the founding fathers of our country established a constitution that put our freedom of speech and expression above all else. Our democracy thrives and exists because of our ability as citizens to participate in the conversation of our government. Through our democratic election process, voters utilize their freedom of speech when electing a representative at both state and federal levels of government. This freedom of expression through the elected officials allows for a healthy democratic process where a range of opinions is considered in governmental decisions. Alongside our right to participate in the government with our ballot slip, our freedom of speech also extends to our right to petition the government to address their mistakes. As citizens, the freedom of expression, as detailed in the First Amendment, is the biggest check we have on our government. When we become a government limited by a group or individuals beliefs, we lose everything the founders were fighting for because we no longer have free speech in our country.
With the freedom of speech, comes a dialogue between opposing views which are vital to our democracy. As modern American political philosopher, Noam Chomsky said, “If we do not believe the freedom of expression for the opinions we despise, we do not believe in it at all.” It is the controversial and contradicting ideologies that allow our democracy to be maintained and strengthened. Focus on the Family is an organization that supports everyone’s freedom of speech by voicing their opinions which ignite conversation among citizens of society. While they have the freedom to express their controversial statements through a variety of media outlets, organizations that are opposed to the FotF ideology can do the same. A bumper sticker that reads “Focus on Your Own Damn Family” pushes against Dobson’s foundation and under the First Amendment in our democracy, both of these ideologies can exist within the limitations of our government. The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is another foundation that is a crucial participant in our democracy for similar reasons as the FotF organization. The WBC is known for their anti-gay convictions and their “God Hates Fags” signs. An internet famous photo depicts a WBC member proudly holding his sign, and to the right him is citizen representing a different belief with a sign reading “F%*# this guy” and an arrow pointing to the left. In a similar context, but through a different organization, we see our freedom of speech is utilized by each party, resulting in an example of democracy, described as, “a form of society which favors equal rights, freedom of speech and a fair trial and tolerates the views of minorities” (Civic). Each organization serves as protection to our First Amendment and a testament to the democratic conversation in our nation.
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Individuals with similar anti-abortion, anti-gay judgments fight for the freedom of speech in the court system. In a 2014 Supreme Court case, McCullen v. Coakley, an anti-abortion supporter fought for our freedom of speech. Eleanor McCullen, with a group of abortion protesters, gathered at a Massachusetts clinic and approached women on the sidewalk. They stopped women who were entering the clinic and begged them to reconsider the “mistake” they were about to make. Martha Coakley, a woman seeking an abortion, took Eleanor to court because Eleanor was violating the 35-foot buffer zone established in a Massachusetts law. The Supreme Court has upheld that women have the right to privacy, which includes their right to decide to terminate a pregnancy, in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. However, this law does not protect women from people handing out brochures and urging these women to choose life. According to McCullen, the 35-foot buffer zone was limiting her freedom of speech by putting restrictions on where she could express her opinions. The court unanimously struck down the 35-foot buffer zone, stating “the statue was unconstitutional under the First Amendment” (Of the United States). In Supreme Court cases, the role of the government is to establish and enforce laws that protect our freedom of speech. The McCullen v. Coakley case was an opportunity for the government to protect our First Amendment rights through legal procedures. The Court’s verdict in the McCullen v. Coakley case solidified our freedom of speech and Eleanor McCullen strengthened our democracy by fighting for her freedom of controversial expression.
Through our democracy, it is vitally important that conversations exist to maintain our freedom of expression. While McCullen was expressing opinions that may not ring true for many, she defended the First Amendment, which every American citizen can appreciate. In a New York Times article on the McCullen v. Coakley case, Laurence Tribe writes, “that I don’t share Ms. McCullen’s views is beside the point. The great virtue of our First Amendment is that it protects speech we hate just as vigorously as it protects speech we support.” The Westboro Baptist Church and Eleanor McCullen both represent ideals that the Focus on the Family organization embodies. These hot topics and disputable ideologies are prime examples of free speech that, while controversial, are essential in maintaining a democratic society that supports freedom of expression. If free speech that is inflammatory or commonly debated is limited, all free speech is threatened. When we allow for limitations to be placed upon our freedom of speech, we are tearing apart one of the fundamental building blocks of a democratic society. Demonstrations of expression by Focus on the Family, the Westboro Baptist Church and Eleanor McCullen serve as steadfast defendants to our freedom of speech because of their controversial ideologies.
Through our democracy, it is vitally important that conversations exist to maintain our freedom of expression. While McCullen was expressing opinions that may not ring true for many, she defended the First Amendment, which every American citizen can appreciate. In a New York Times article on the McCullen v. Coakley case, Laurence Tribe writes, “that I don’t share Ms. McCullen’s views is beside the point. The great virtue of our First Amendment is that it protects speech we hate just as vigorously as it protects speech we support.” The Westboro Baptist Church and Eleanor McCullen both represent ideals that the Focus on the Family organization embodies. These hot topics and disputable ideologies are prime examples of free speech that, while controversial, are essential in maintaining a democratic society that supports freedom of expression. If free speech that is inflammatory or commonly debated is limited, all free speech is threatened. When we allow for limitations to be placed upon our freedom of speech, we are tearing apart one of the fundamental building blocks of a democratic society. Demonstrations of expression by Focus on the Family, the Westboro Baptist Church and Eleanor McCullen serve as steadfast defendants to our freedom of speech because of their controversial ideologies.
Animas High School 3206 North Main Avenue Durango, CO 81301 (970) 247-247
My Contact Information: [email protected]
Updated on 10.18.14
My Contact Information: [email protected]
Updated on 10.18.14