Ralph Aswang / Center for American Progress / Flickr 
Christians Don't Have 'the Right to Be Stupid'
While discussing freedom of speech and freedom of religion with a group of German students last week, newly appointed Secretary of State John Kerry told them "Americans have the right to be stupid."
Kerry came under fire, particularly among political conservatives, for misrepresenting Americans and American liberties abroad. The quote was part of his explanation of how distasteful and offensive points of view can be tolerated as free speech in the U.S. (He mentioned provocative, insulting signs… wonder who that could be?)
Still, the idea of referring to the First Amendment as the "right to be stupid" struck many the wrong way, seen reflective of a government ever closer to reducing freedom of speech and freedom of religion, both sacred tenants of American culture and thought.
His comments—and the headlines they spurred—are especially troubling when you consider that much of the world does not share in our freedom of speech or freedom of religion, and may never have the right to criticize their government or enjoy the First Amendment liberties we celebrate.
As a female American expatriate currently living in Cairo, I know firsthand how other countries across the globe—from the Egypt to China—remain embattled in freedom of speech and freedom of religion struggles of their own. The right to be "stupid" and the right to speak out and to worship freely are clearly very different to someone longing after the latter.
It was hard to hear Kerry's statement from the context of the Middle East, where in many places it is a crime to openly talk about Christ or convert anyone to Christianity. Christians have been denied voting rights in previous elections; threatened, intimidated, beaten. Protestors arrested for exercising freedom of speech—even on Facebook—can be tortured or killed. Female protesters also face violence, and unveiled school girls are harassed.
There is a reason American soldiers are willing to die for our freedom. It is much, much more than the right to be stupid. Americans stand behind these freedoms as rights from God, to worship him and be called his people. Christians in the U.S. should be paying very close attention to religious freedom in our own country and in places where it's not as easy to affiliate with Christ.
Religious freedom obviously allows for open evangelism and a freer expression of our beliefs, but it also lets us live as God created us to be. He made us with the freedom to choose our faith, to know him through a relationship, not because we were forced into one religion or another. It's not stupid to speak out and live in a just society; to worship who we chose; to pray, without fear, arrest, harassment, abuse, or intimidation. It's freeing and God-glorifying.
Auditing America's Political Integrity
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audrey ruth
Jim, my question about Kerry's statement here --"People have sometimes wondered about why our Supreme Court allows one group or another to march in a parade even though it's the most provocative thing in the world" -- is not a red herring at all; it directly relates to his own comment. How much would you bet that he would never make that statement in reference to a "gay" pride parade? You know the answer to that question, and that answer makes my point. He's not about to touch a political hot potato like that with a 10-foot pole. Dems proved their viewpoint when they booed God at the DNC. You think they would boo 'gays', even if/when they march provocatively in a parade? Yep, you know the answer to that.
Jim Ricker
Audrey Ruth, A irrelevant question (called a red herring) that doesn't address whether or not Americans have the right to be stupid. I also answered your question previously but figured maybe you missed it. What Kerry meant by that is irrelevant. You DO have the right to carry signs, picket and have sit-ins (and a host of other free speech activities) for good or idiotic reasons. Americans take advantage of that right to be stupid quite a bit whether ir is picketing, marching or writing ignorant and foolish letters to the editor or making ignorant comments on the web. IN the context of his whole statement 9video provided below), Kerry was 100% right.
audrey ruth
Jim, about Kerry's statement here: "People have sometimes wondered about why our Supreme Court allows one group or another to march in a parade even though it's the most provocative thing in the world" -- How much would you bet that he would never make this statement in reference to a "gay" pride parade?
audrey ruth
John, it is one thing to acknowledge that about ourselves (and I agree). It is a whole 'nother thing to accuse others of that. But really, Kerry only made clear what Dems in general have made clear for several years now. Good grief, they even booed God Himself at the DNC last year.
Jim Ricker
Sorry but Kerry spoke far less controversially than most people here. Stupid is a good word for what he meant and it matters not what he was thinking when he mentioned posters and such - it is a blanket policy. Personally, I think of those evil, non-Xians at Westboro Baptist along with the "Death to Cheney" folks. Come up with your own group. Plain and simple, we all have the right to be stupid in America and there is no sin in stating the obvious truth while not singling out particular people or groups.
John Keirsey
In comparison to God we are all very, very, very, very, very STUPID. I bet we could multiply the "very" by 10 to the Nth degree, and spell the word Stupid with gigantic letters. Of course this includes the whole world, including me. Jeremiah 9: "23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord." NKJV
audrey ruth
(Reuters) - Secretary of State John Kerry offered a defense of freedom of speech, religion and thought in the United States on Tuesday telling German students that in America "you have a right to be stupid if you want to be. As a country, as a society, we live and breathe the idea of religious freedom and religious tolerance, whatever the religion, and political freedom and political tolerance, whatever the point of view," Kerry told the students in Berlin, the second stop on his inaugural trip as secretary of state. People have sometimes wondered about why our Supreme Court allows one group or another to march in a parade even though it's the most provocative thing in the world and they carry signs that are an insult to one group or another," he added. // If he had used a far less negative / inflammatory word than "stupid", I wouldn't have a problem with what he said. Q: Who do you think he meant when talking about parades and signs?
Jim Ricker
There is NOTHING political about this statement and Kerry was 100% correct. Here is the video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5twSqDZRdiA
audrey ruth
To be fair, a reporter employed by Time or Newsweek magazine, who traveled with the Kerry presidential campaign in 2004, made very similar comments about John Kerry after he lost the election to Bush. I don't know if Pop Seal saw those articles, or not, but his comments echo the ones I read there. In fact, theirs were actually even more acerbic. Dems were very harsh on him after he lost that election. I've wondered in recent weeks if they decided to make it up to him by having him appointed Secretary of State (and if he may run for prez again in 2012 due to Hillary's health problems).
Jim Ricker
How is this a partisan political issue? Americans have the right to be stupid and Kerry is correct. Christians have the (American) right to be stupid. No matter how much I disagee with Kerry on almost everything politically, he is correct here. Truth is truth no matter who states it.
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