July 11th, 2020: The Nature of Freedom
Yesterday
I went to a shopping mall for the first time since late March. It was
one of the most popular ones in my city. It was interesting because of
the new safety protocols we have to observe due to Covid-19. I was
greeted by security personnel who briefed me quickly about the basics
that I need to know. She was quite clear about where I could not go.
That reminded me of what I used to do with campers at the beginning of
a camp. I used to tell them that
if they observe the rules, everyone will have a great time at camp. I
reminded myself of that when I said thanks to the young lady. I was now
about to discover the new freedom to be in a mall.
Freedom
sometimes needs to be restricted by a needed agreed-upon framework. We
know that people have different views about this Corona Virus and how we
should deal with it. However, most of us would agree that there is
common sense for us to conduct ourselves in a public place to keep
people safe. The virus is still there, and we don't have any way to deal
with it yet. Most of us might have a better awareness of this virus
when we have the first-hand experience with it. Let us not be cavalier
about it as things begin to open up.
Freedom
is not free. We enjoy the freedom that has been paid by many. My niece
is a frontline health care worker in nursing homes in Montreal. She has
not seen her parents and her boyfriend for months because she wants to
protect them. She has been working long hours because there are not
enough workers. She has to do jobs that used to be done by others who
have less education and training than hers. "It has to be done" are her
words.
We
should not use freedom to propagate only our rights. It is also about
responsibilities. Many people who resist new safety protocols would talk
about their rights. Our rights depend on how we are responsible for
others' safety. Whether we have overreacted in dealing with this
pandemic, that remains to be determined. What we see in the USA today
tells us when individual rights trump personal responsibilities, the
suffering will increase. It is time for some self-imposed disciplines.
Freedom
should open doors for more opportunities to appreciate our differences.
If this is true, then we don't live in such a free society. We have
become more and more polarized, and there is no chance to have a civil
conversation when we disagree. We should have the freedom to hold our
moral convictions and spiritual values. In Canada, if people or
organizations have the worldview that life begins at conception,
they are not allowed to speak at the university, to apply for federal
funding or to run for specific political parties. The worst is to be
accused of spreading hate.
Galatians 5:13-14 You,
my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to
indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire
law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbour as
yourself."
1 Peter 2:16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom to cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
