Thought for the Week

The Rev Peter Willox, vicar, St John's Church, Ben Rhydding

DO we have the freedom to express our opinions?

The reason I question this, is due to a worrying feeling that political debate is almost becoming a ‘no-go area’ for many people. We seem to have forgotten how to debate properly and so, it seems that people are becoming polarised and ignorant of the true opinions of others; a polarisation between those who don’t express their opinions and those who do.

Perhaps I am wrong, but I think there is an increasing fear in some people: to say things that they feel are right but might offend somebody; or, if they put their head above the parapet, they will be shot down. In others, there seems to be an increasing bullishness which leads to the inability to hear what other people are saying. We seem to be dividing into those who keep quiet and away from debate and those who angrily and sometimes violently try to enforce their point of view.

I found myself reflecting on this during the one minute’s silence as I stood in the middle of a toddler group on Friday, November 11 at 11am. Watching the children being quiet was quite an emotional thing as we adults reflected on the people whose lives had been taken away in the cause of the freedom and self-expression of such as these. Yet, seeing one child expressing his opinion of being made to be still, by dashing off on his little car whilst saying loudly “no!”, reminded me that the expression of self can be disruptive; it can cause us frustration, bafflement, and even pain.

The child’s mother might have been embarrassed but she sensed the feel of the room – it is alright, let him express himself – and so she stood and reflected in her own way, whilst he happily went off to continue his self-expression.

As someone once said “I wholly disapprove of what you say and will defend to the death your right to say it”. These are laudable words which are important to reflect on, but we must remember that fighting is always the last resort.

Jesus challenged those who listened to him on a mountainside saying, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43-44). If we all have a go at that, maybe we can create a place where all opinions may be looked at without fear or anger. As a Christian, a follower of Jesus, I am charged to try, because that is exactly what Jesus did. Please join me.