Some thoughts on "free speech."

As social and political life at home and abroad becomes more and more polarised, there rises often the question of “free speech.”  What exactly should “free speech” mean?

The recent assassination of United States political activist Charlie Kirk has brought competing opinions on “free speech” into stark relief.  Some, including a Catholic cardinal, who agreed with Kirk’s political stance, claim he was a modern-day prophet who is now a martyr.  Others, who point out Kirk’s documented bigotry towards certain groups in society, find such praise abhorrent.

So, opinions on “free speech” take in a wide range of interpretations.  Some advocate “absolute free speech” which gives a person license to say anything they please; some political leaders seem to suggest that free speech is anything that agrees with their point of view; others claim that “free” speech does, in fact, need some moderation.

Catholic Social Teaching gives us some helpful insights.  It teaches clearly that rights are inseparable from duties.  Freedom itself does not mean that I am free to do whatever I please, but rather I am free to pursue what is good, to do what I ought to do.

So free speech is conditional on its pursuit of truth and goodness, open to the fact that maybe you are wrong about something, but if you are pursuing what is true and good, then within constructive argument you can have disagreements.  Any speech, however, that attacks individuals or groups in society and seeks to dehumanise them, is directly opposed to what Christ taught in the Gospels.

A helpful question to ask yourself when assessing the freedom of speech:  “Is this what Christ would say?”