Freedom

FREEDOM

As the Fourth of July nears, I like to remind my fellow Americans what it means to be free. Freedom is quite easy to define, but so hard it seems for many to allow. We have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And we will always have those inalienable rights, so long as we understand our rights do not supersede those of another.

Freedom is not forcing your religion onto others. That is tyranny. It is the opposite of freedom. It is the opposite of what our founding fathers intended with the Constitution. I ask you to remember your freedoms only exist if we allow others theirs. If you tread on, or attempt to constrain others, their inalienable rights, you forfeit yours, because before too long, someone is forcing their religion on you, telling you what you can believe in, and they come with a gun pointed at your head.

Remember it was Hitler who forced one religion on the German People. It was the Spanish Inquisitions that forced one religion onto others. And so on. Our history is riddled with the oppression of others and it begins the very instant you believe your beliefs are right and those who do not believe as you do, are wrong.

Honor those who fight for your freedom and honor your neighbor’s right to freedom, even if they are different than yours. Diversity is our strength. Diversity is American. Have a safe and joyous Fourth of July.