Free Speech — Conduct, Purposes, and Standards

How we conduct ourselves sets the tone of fellowship.

Readership: All, especially Christians
Theme: Community / Free Speech / Problems with The Red Pill / Infighting / Sectarianism / Metacognitions
Length: 500 words
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Conduct

While the Bible warns against getting entangled in futile arguments, it also encourages us to share the hope that lies within us with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).  Many verses in the Bible instruct us to always be prepared to give a defense for what we believe and why.  It also says to deal with unbelievers with patience and grace (Colossians 4:5-6), and I think that also includes apologetics, debate, polemics, discussions on blogs, etc.

Purposes

In Vectors of Conflict (2024/6/17), I concluded that…

“…we can be thankful that we have the freedom to discuss such things and the liberty to draw our own conclusions and make our own decisions, even when none of the choices are good.  There may come a day, maybe soon, when we shall not have such freedoms and liberties any longer.  Let us be thankful for the Manosphere and The Red Pill as a vector of truth, and let us pray that the infighting may continue, but with more introspection and greater wisdom — such that the stumbling stone may be transformed into a whetstone — and bear much fruit for the glory of God.”

“Let your words be helpful for the edification of other Christian Men (Ephesians 4:29).”

In short, be thankful, be thoughtful, be helpful, and give glory to God.

Standards

Let’s use the above scripture references and passages in bold as a standard to judge the value and purpose of free speech and the regulation thereof, i.e. of hosting / commenting on a blog in this case.

Let us also remember that ‘edification’ is not always flowery feel-goods, but is sometimes challenging and/or offensive to the fleshly nature.

So when writing posts / comments that address others’ arguments and opinions, then we should keep it fresh and buoyant, true to the bone, supported by evidence, scripture, and/or a clear statement of conviction, and not bitter or scathing in the least.  We should attempt to create the interaction we wish to have, even when and especially when others attempt to poison the forum with bad faith arguments, bitterness, etc.  Remember, The Objectivity of Offense Constitutes Respect, and “Be British.”

We need to watch our wording carefully because any unclear context, wrong words, confusing presumptions, or lack of generosity in interpreting another’s words, will affect our credibility, impact, fellowship, legacy, and reputation.  I believe we’ll all get better results and more spiritual blessings and protection this way.

Comparing Criteria

Now, we might ask ourselves…  How is this approach any different from The Regime’s excuse for the crackdown?

“We are restricting freedom, but we’re doing it for the common good.”

The differences are…

Related

• Σ Frame: Objective Communications for Effective Group Leadership (2021/11/1)
• Σ Frame: The Cold Christian Shoulder (2023/12/7)
• Σ Frame: Vectors of Conflict (2024/6/17)
• Σ Frame: What Plato’s Allegory of the Cave Teaches Men (2024/8/2)