Freedom Starts On The Inside

That’s what I read on the outdoor display on a local Christian Academy. I haven’t personally been inside a religious building in over a decade so I’m not sure what the preacher there may be planning on doing with that phrase but I’d like to give my thoughts on that statement if you would oblige me.

Let’s start with what freedom is. The online dictionary at thefreedictionary.com defines freedom as:

free·dom (frē′dəm) n.

1. a. The condition of not being in prison or captivity: gave the prisoners their freedom.

b. The condition of being free of restraints, especially the ability to act without control or interference by another or by circumstance: In retirement they finally got the freedom to travel.

Now if this is true and we live in free nations or countries then how is it we have lost the ability to act without control by others?  It must have occurred inside, right?  Right.

The whole concept on nations and states was originally created for the benefit of the peoples of the lands.  Even such new creations as Canada and the western civilization invasion was done under the color of protection of the people.  And it worked and lasted for several decades, perhaps even hundreds of years.

When the “white man” first hit the shores of the Americas they lived in peace with the indigenous peoples for years.  The natives didn’t see the new comers as threats as the new comers worked with and learned from the native peoples on these lands.  It was the same with other continents like Australia, New Zealand and everywhere the “white man” went.

It was never, in fact, simply the “white man” landing on new lands to them that created any conflicts.  It was in fact the consumerism that followed shortly after the discovery of rich and plentiful lands that did that.

Prior to the businesses that heard about the rich lands of “gold and honey” the different cultures got along quite well with each other.  They shared trade knowledge and survival skills with each other and assisted the two cultures to grow and develop peacefully.  No one person dictated to another and all lived free lives.  In many cases, in opposition to popular cultural beliefs, they intermarried and developed mixed cultures along side the individual separate societies.  The rule of law was “do as thou wilt but harm none”.  And it worked for almost a hundred years or more.

We all know of personal examples of such incidents.  My four (4) year old grand daughter has no knowledge of race, religious differences, or any other discriminatory ideas.  She’s unaware because these are not natural ideas but rather taught philosophies and concepts and we didn’t teach her to hate over color or religion.  In fact, we haven’t taught her to hate anything or anyone for any reason nor will we.  Personally, it’s my intention to oppose any and all discriminatory concepts she encounters in her life whether they come from “the system” or from angry victims of systematic abuse because both are wrong.

So where did her freedom of thought, ideology, and expression come from?  Some would say it came from God or the gods.  Others would say it’s inherent and natural.  I say it came from within and that her blank spirit came to these lands as a blank slate to learn how she can make this a better place for everyone she encounters.  I believe her blank slate is delicate and fragile and needs to be treated with great care as we teach her to respect others rights and properties while protecting her own.

Next time I’ll discuss how a system arose from amongst these free peoples who lived in mutual wealth and prosperity and why we seem so unaware of how and what destroyed our peace and freedom.  Interestingly you  may be surprised that it is the same reason the diverse cultures met in the first place.

Until then I wish you peace and prosperity,

Rob