Friends,
I have been struggling with the issues of freedom over the past couple of years and what it means to be free and if we can ever truly attain complete freedom.
Freedom can come in many forms. Political freedom is the freedom to do as you please and not worry about reporting or answering to any form of government/bureaucracy. Religious freedom comes from being able to search for yourself and find out who you believe God is and worship how you feel appropriate. Financial freedom is being free from creditors (debt).
Now, what I think we all need to understand is that, based on our actions (and sometimes lack of action) we can easily become bound to a government/devil/creditor, and in turn become subject to their will. If we break the law, we are then bound to the punishment set by the government. If we break a commandment, we may become subject to the devil, or, at the very least, not be able to receive the fullest blessing from our Creator. If we borrow money, we are beholden to the terms and conditions the creditor has set.
I could go on for pages on examples of how we can loose our freedoms with all of these issues, but what I am really leading too is consequences for our actions. It seems in the world we live in, that people are so desperate to loosen the bonds between consequences and actions. People want to keep their freedom and continue to make poor choices. The want to break the law but not go to jail. They want to live in sin and still go to heaven. They want to spend like they are wealthy, but don't want to pay the interest on the borrowings.
Agree, disagree, not completely either way? I want to know what you are thinking, what does freedom (and consequenses) mean to you.
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I couldn't agree with you more. I think Tiger Woods is exemplary of this attitude. It's not just among the wealthy and pro athletes, but probably more so among the rest of us that we are entitled to certain things regardless of the cost. I feel like we have forgotten that freedom never comes without a price. Whatever that price is, may not always be clear, but it is usually high. We are truly in the greatest of debts already...we have been born in a free land where we have defensible rights and opportunity beyond the dreams of generations and civilizations prior.
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for those who came before and made real sacrifices on our behalf that we might have freedom and liberty to choose. (Ever read "Free to Choose" by Milton Friedman? Great book).
I also agree with what has been posted. I fear that more and more people are using their freedoms to become increasingly more dependent on others. This type of entitlement attitude will surely hinder progress in the future.
ReplyDeleteThese are great comments. Sam, I will have to add "Free to Choose" to my ridiculously long list of books to read.
ReplyDeleteI like your comment, Matt, about using freedom to become more dependent on others. Think of families who are having a difficult time making it with wages they are currently making. They need food stamps to help them get food, they need federal grant money to help them pay for rent and utilities. They are almost completely dependent on the government for their support.
What happens if the governments (upon which these families rely so heavily) decide to drastically cut funding for these programs, suddenly, these families going through the tough times doesn't seem so free anymore. Panic sets in and lives are seemingly ruined.
I hope you don't think of me as a heartless person. I do believe that the government has a role to play in the lives of those that are truly needy, but I also believe that help should first be sought in families, communities, and churches before reaching out for help from the government.
It seems governments have taken out the "middle man" in an effort to enslave the masses to their "hand-out" programs. It seems to be the only way to ensure their reelection and maintain their position of power over those in need and those who would feel guilty if they were to be the reason for taking food out the mouths of those that are hungry.
Of course, governments aren't the only thing enslaving people today. Vices, habits, bad influences, etc. all play a vital part in grabbing and enslaving the hearts of mankind.
Freedom and independence, like Sam stated, takes a lot of work and sacrifice (a lot of which has already been done for us). It's ultimately up to us and decisions we make to loosen the bonds of whatever is holding us captive in our lives. The road might be hard, depending on where we are all at, but we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and keep moving forward in our lives.
Remember, you only fail if you stop trying.
I can't help but post this statement from Boyd K Packer from his General Conference address in May, 1978 entitled "Solving Emotional Problems in the Lord's Own Way."
ReplyDeleteHe said, "If a member is unable to sustain himself, then he is to call upon his own family, and then upon the Church, in that order, and not upon the government at all."
I don't think very many people have ever heard that statement before, because if they had, I think our brotherhood would be a little more collegial and warm and sustaining of each other. I kind of feel like we neglect to teach principles of self-sustainment and agree with Matt's comment above. There is too much dependence on others for survival. Why put yourself at risk like that if you don't have to? Granted, not everyone has the same opportunities, but without a focus on becoming independent or self sustaining, we'll never get there.
That is a great quote by Elder Packer. I love that even though it was said in 1978, it is no less true today.
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