It has struck me lately, well maybe not just lately, it has been a while, that there is a power in this world that I may not agree with. Now please don’t disown me and allow me to work this out in my own words. This may be somewhat incoherent as I try to find the right words.

I’m worried about the trend, which is not new which is to my point of having this thought for some time. This trend puts into law that which is right to say and that which is not. You likely can think of things that you would not want to hear in public…words that are soaked in prejudice or hatred…and I would agree. I don’t like that and I think those words can be dangerous.

I put Donald J. Trump on the stand as my illustration first. The Trump organization is likely the most successful and corrupt in the history of the USA. It is ironic but it is real. He will likely be the next President of America and the organization is a direct reflection of his character. And his willingness to be crude, rude, offensive, and deceitful has given license to the same kind of eroding behaviour and language in person and online. Should he be silenced? Should he be censored?

The current government in Canada has been on a roll as it relates to legislation controlling what people can say or publish. I suspect that as a Christian there are things I would say, even read from the Bible that border on being illegal now.

Censorship is a difficult thing. Those in the past who have wanted to control a nation or a people rely upon putting controls in place.

To the stand, we could call a long line of dictators but currently, Putin is the most talked about. Any protest, any public criticism, and any sign of disagreement could quickly have you in prison.

So how do we find balance? I ask that because I think the pendulum is swinging from one extreme to another.

The Bible’s call is for “no unwholesome talk”…or in this case, we might say as individuals we need to be careful we are not guilty of personal attacks, and racial slurs, and of course, that’s a simplistic statement. There are many words that border on good but are not.

So is there a middle ground? What is the role of government in protecting its citizens? How much freedom should be allowed?

Drive a car? You must have a license and you must wear a seatbelt? We need children protected from predators! We need safety and we need rules to live by.

I am simply concerned that we find a good place to live and care for one another.

What do you think? I would love to hear your thoughts.