The Right to Your Own Opinion

[Ken & Sue Brown]

“Everyone has the right to his own opinion.” We hear this line used from time to time, and in certain contexts, I don’t disagree. But is it always true? Has anyone ever verbally maligned you, lying about you or about your friends or family? What was your response? Were you angry, hurt, or disgusted because “no-one has the right to talk about me or my family that way”? Or were you complacent, acknowledging “every one has the right to his own opinion”? Each of these quoted statements has a valid basis. It depends on what “right” we are talking about.In the USA there is something called “The Bill of Rights.” One of these rights is freedom of speech. People in our nation have the legal right to speak their minds whether they are correct or not. They do not necessarily, however, have a moral right to have what is in their minds to begin with. No one has a God-given moral right to mistreat other people. How much less so regarding the treatment of and statements about our wonderful heavenly Father?When we see our friends maligned, we tend to take exception to their treatment. We stand up for them and fight back. We recognize the evil for what it is and say so. Too many Christians, however, do not give our heavenly Father the same kind of consideration, respect, and love they would give to their friends or even perhaps to their family dog. When they hear our Father maligned, they just sigh and say, “Well, everyone has the right to his own opinion.” I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 11:Verse 3: But I am concerned that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted and turned away from the straightforward simplicity of teaching about Christ.Verse 4: Because if someone comes along preaching another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive originally, or if you receive a different gospel which you did not originally accept, you put up with these things too easily. [TWI: "Literal According to Usage"]Like the first century believers in Corinth, many Christians today “put up with these things too easily.” They are complacent about others viciously maligning our wonderful Father. Some even celebrate the supposed right to do so. There is a legal right in our nation to express anything one wants about our God (as long as it is not an openly displayed written positive statement in a government funded facility), but there is no God-given moral right to having your own opinion about God and the things of God. God commands all men to believe on the name of His son, Jesus Christ, not have their own opinions about him.1 John 3: 23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.Those who reject Jesus Christ are liars and they are calling God a liar.1 John 2: 22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.1 John 5: 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.We must not confuse what one has the ability to do with what one has a right to do. In our nation, there is no legal right to commit murder even though people have the ability to do so. Likewise, there is no God-given moral right to reject the one true God just because people have the ability to do so. I don’t celebrate diversity when it comes to the things of God. I celebrate when people accept the Truth. We have an obligation to believe Him. All other options are not called “rights” in God’s Word; they are called “sin”.John 16: 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.Actually, there should be no “opinions” at all about the Scriptures whether those opinions are correct or not. Opinions are conclusions thought out but open to dispute (as per Merriam-Webster’s on-line dictionary). We are not to have “conclusions thought out but open to dispute” regarding the Scriptures. We are to know the things that are freely given to us of God.1 Corinthians 2: 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.Believers or anyone else can have an opinion about who might win the next World Series or whatever, but not about the things of God. When it comes to God’s Word, we are to study to show ourselves approved unto God. That leaves no room for opinions and certainly not the opinions of those who reject Him.God has shown and extended his love to all mankind in giving His son as a sacrifice for us all (But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8). God loves, but He has never compromised on what he expects people to believe. He has never offered an excuse for unbelief, and certainly not an excuse as lame as, “Well, they have the right to their own opinion.” We should follow God’s example rather than the example of those who are more concerned about offending people than they are about offending God.Bless.Ken

[John Richeson]

As difficult as it is we MUST weather "those seasons' in other lives and help others who, perhaps are in a "crappy" season.

Great Davis. Thanks for that awesome reminder.

[Davis Crowell]

Hey Steve! You've changed alot if diapers...HUH! I like what you had to say; concise, well thought through, etc.

John R..thanks for this site. It has showed many of us tolerance, humility, and that perhaps we don't have all the answers. The mind is an amazing thing and this site has brought together many a good one. It has provoked much thought among a few ...dontcha' think.

Ken...you too, a smart guy! I too know Eileen; we both hearld from Pa. and we were in the 9th Corps together. I don't know you, I've heard of you, and if the capiltalizing of God ( in the comment you made ) was all I read on this here blog that you made, my perception of you would be tainted. I am a much bigger person than that and I know there was no malicious intent intended. If there was that's your business.

I'm in Chicago, yesterday it was near 70 degrees. I almost forgot how cold it was back in Jan. and the amount of snow that had fallen. It actually never got above 15 degrees in Jan. and the coldest day was -27 with a wind chill of - 50 below 0. I have forgotten about that cold weather and now welcome the warm spring weather and the 80's and 90's that will follow in the next few months.

People are like that...we go through winters and springs in our lives. We feel, say and think things that in time we will "get over". God is tolerant of all that goes on in our lives and will weather ALL with us. As difficult as it is we MUST weather "those seasons' in other lives and help others who, perhaps are in a "crappy" season. We don't know all nor will we! We have guidelines in life that we have been taught and learned and the big one I work on is Love!

Peace

[John Richeson]

Eileen: was your lower case "g" for God a typo, or was it an indication of your disrespect?

You are grammatically correct, Ken. But perhaps you have misjudged by even asking.

I happen to know that Eileen (a long time friend) does not disrespect God.
WTF!

Grammatical errors happen all the time when typing online. Have ya noticed?

OMG!

[Ken & Sue Brown]

If either of you can accept that there is any such thing as actual knowledge of God's Word, then no, it is not subject to interpretation. Eileen: was your lower case "g" for God a typo, or was it an indication of your disrespect?

[Eileen Davies]

yeah yeah yeah and how do you take a stand for god?

[Ken & Sue Brown]

Hey Johnnie,
Thanks for posting. I don't know anything about the legal issue that was brought up. My only point was that we should take a stand for God. We are always to be loving toward people, but that does not mean we are to be complacent about attacks against our God and His Truth.
Bless.
Ken

[John and Janet Ruiz]

That Thomas search didn't work but it can be found here - http://www.thomas.gov/
: )

[John and Janet Ruiz]

http://www.amren.com/mtnews/archives/2009/01/hate_crimes_the.php - this articles seems to have the gist of what you wrote Kate. And the HR6776 bill is summarized here. After reading up on it, it appears to deal with people who have been judged harmed by what would be determined to be a crime motivated by "hate" and to set parameters for the use of various benefits on their behalf.

I tried to frame this in light of the blog topic and I can see a connection, although I think it runs counter to what you're setting down Ken. In essence, if a person has an "opinion", debatable and up to discussion, that person is completely responsible for it. It's theirs. If a person takes the stance that they are simply believing "truth", something that stands without debate, they're actions wouldn't be debatable - to that person. Their actions would be the only correct way to act and would be made out of good conscience.

In application those beliefs - or opinions, whichever they be - would stand accountable to the laws of our land, as they exist at the time they're acted upon. I can believe I'm right, but be wrong by the laws application to what I do. That's just the way it is and if we want to change them there are processes for doing that.

So my opinion (little blog humor there) would be that a bill like this HR 6776 that deals with defining support for victims of hate crimes actually doesn't deal with (if I'm reading it right) how or what caused the "hate crime" but what happens after that determination's been made and some negative affect has resulted, like losing a job, having to move, etc. etc. and the stuff that's in the bill.

I don't see how the bill adds to anything that isn't already in place though. If a person is a victim of a crime and a court determines damages, it's settled. I really don't see how a paster could be detained or prevented from giving out a message that is critical of people's behavior, based on what's in this specific bill though. Doesn't make sense. This bill wouldn't prevent the same pastor say, of teaching a sermon from the bible on sexual immorality on a Sunday, for instance, which would be critical of people's behavior. So I'm confused, but the bill itself is (IMO) confusing to begin with, as I read it and I may be missing something.

On the topic - I think it makes sense, Ken. An approach to the Bible as a Christian who believes the Bible is God's Word, an inspired and specifically designed set of writings to give instruction and guidance to man, would logically be to determine what it says, not what "I/you think" it says. It's an attitude that informs the effort. I think. (ha ha)

[Eileen Davies]

i'll get in touch jk usa, and hi davis

but as far as this blog, i just can't deal

rejecting the "good doctor" has nothing to do with rejecting our savior

[Davis Crowell]

Eileen...I love your honesty! I'm actually smiling as I write this. Billy, that comment by VPW...a classic! How many people had/have heard that over the years.

I have become quite tolerable about lots over the years. I make it a point to listen to people more than ever before. I have, as all of you, met many many people with a wide array of opinions, thoughts and beliefs. I have very few people who dislike me and the ones that don't like me are the ones I "thrust" my beliefs upon.

What do we gain when we dismiss others abrutly, disregarding their opinion...not much! Perhaps if we listen more and ask people sincerely "what do you mean by that", maybe we could gain a new friend.

I as all of you never want to hurt anyone. I live in Chicago where much is said and believed. I strive to be compassionate and kind to all. I really really sleep well at night.