09/05/2025
How Free Should Freedom of Speech Be? by Mike Sharman on Sept. 4, 2025
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Freedom of speech is a cherished American value, but what does it really mean? We often think of it as the ability to say whatever we want, whenever we want. Yet, as with any right, there are limits. We can’t yell “fire” in a crowded theater, and we can’t slander or libel others without facing legal consequences. The line between freedom and danger is where the real debate begins, and for Christians, this line is drawn not just by law, but by a biblical worldview.
According to Mike Sharman, legal counsel for the Christian healthcare sharing ministry Share Healthcare, the First Amendment is a beautifully interconnected set of rights. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Sharman points out that these rights are not isolated; they are a unified defense of liberty. Without the freedom to speak, we couldn't exercise our religion, publish our beliefs, assemble with others, or petition our government for change. Free speech is the engine that drives all other freedoms.
This system, however, relies on something deeper than just legal text. Sharman argues that our nation was founded on the principle of the "rule of law under God." When that foundation is compromised, the system breaks down. We see this breakdown in stark contrasts.
In the United Kingdom, which lacks a written constitution, an Irish comedy writer was arrested by five armed police officers for making a generic joke about transgender issues online. His “crime” was expressing an opinion that authorities deemed offensive. His bail conditions restricted him from speaking about the topic on social media. This incident reveals a system where power is arbitrary and truth is subject to the whims of those in authority.
In the United States, we’re seeing a different but equally troubling problem. Sharman shares the shocking example of two individuals who made specific, verifiable threats to assassinate President Donald Trump. Despite being arrested, the grand jury in Washington D.C.—a notoriously left-leaning jurisdiction—refused to indict them. In this case, the legal system failed to protect a public figure from a real and present danger, seemingly out of political bias.
These examples illustrate the fragility of our freedoms. We must ask ourselves: When is speech dangerous? And who gets to decide? The answer, according to Sharman, lies not in an all-powerful government surveillance system, but in the heart of the people. He quotes William Blackstone, a foundational legal scholar, who argued that while every person has the right to express their sentiments, they must also be accountable for any “improper, mischievous, or illegal” abuse of that right.
The problem, Sharman concludes, is not with the laws themselves, but with a culture that has lost its moral and religious foundation. The U.S. system was designed to work for a moral and religious people. The idea behind free speech is that in a free market of ideas, truth will win out. But if we allow false facts to be published and true facts to be censored, the truth never gets a chance to compete.
This is where Christians come in. Our rights—to religious expression, free speech, and assembly—are not just freedoms to enjoy but responsibilities to exercise. If we want to see a culture with police officers and grand juries that operate with a biblical worldview, we must be actively involved in shaping it.
This means more than just voting. It means being a voice for truth, assembling with other believers, and petitioning our government for what is right. When Christians fail to act, our spiritual muscles atrophy, and we get the government we deserve. The freedoms we enjoy today were hard-won, and they must be actively defended by a generation of believers who are willing to speak up, assemble, and stand for the truth.
Scriptures for Further Study:
-- Galatians 5:19-21 -- Galatians 5:22-23 -- Hebrews 13:16
"The freedom of speech is a core freedom that we have in the United States. It's absolutely essential for us to protect it." --Mike Sharman In a compelling discussion, legal counsel Mike Sharman high
