“He mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.”
Edward R. Murrow, an American journalist,
John Winston Churchill’s legacy.

“…And the Word was with God and the Word was God.”
John 1:1

Have we underestimated the effect of our words in the modern age? Is there not consistent evidence to show that mere words and ideas spark even the greatest of human feats?

One could argue that simple words have started the most vile of tyrannies. Tyranny will always exist, whether in explicit presentation or behind a veil of comfortable familiarity. Of all the weapons in the human arsenal, we forget that some of the most powerful are our words and writings. This has caused some to say that the pen is mightier than the sword. In this instance, the pen might represent our words expressed in our culture.

Certainly, it is correct to say that our words and declarations have started the most violent of revolutions in our world. However, surely we can assert that some of the most noble of reformations have begun with the spoken word as well. If language can breed violence and danger, we must retort with the undeniable truth that it can advance courage, brilliance, and knowledge.

Throughout the ages, there have been people who championed the memorable philosophies we attribute as revolutionary, overcoming ideological opposition through debate, rhetorical craftsmanship, and overwhelming scrutinization by critics. Many philosophers for better or for worse lived surrounded by the controversy started by their polarizing claims and ideas.

As a result, this ideological dissonance in the culture produced some of the most important events in human history, ranging from the significant martyrdom of Socrates to the Nietzschean pitfall of abandoning God, and even to the American triumph known as the Constitution of the United States. Much of human history owes itself to the expression of different thoughts and beliefs.

Why, then, might you ask is this important today in 21st century America? Again and again, we are constantly faced with the question as to whether or not free speech and argumentative dialogue are acceptable for the masses. Though legally protected, recent events have demonstrated that legality is not enough to protect those who might offer a different opinion in the public forum.

Unfortunately, even Charlie Kirk, recent father and founder of Turning Point USA, lost his life in the public square challenging others on their views in the form of arguments and dialogue. Even a conservative reaching to the other side might not be safe in the modern context. Therefore, if anyone asks why the concept of free speech is important, I beg them to look to the news now: people bleed out for their words. However crude it might sound: though the pen remains mightier than the sword, a gunshot rings louder than both.

As students at Regent University, there must be reasons why we should protect free speech and a space for argumentative dialogue. I present to you three primary reasons: that which is practical, that which stands patriotic, and that which upholds theology.

One should first consider, the practical application of a freedom of expression. Here lies the foundation of a true argumentative dialogue. In order for there to be safe ideological conflict and discussion of differing ideas, there must first be a safety and protection of expression that which does not align with the status quo. If there is no sense of safety in the attempt to stretch the minds and heartstrings of the general public through rhetoric, how can there be any sense of reform, change, and advancement? Does not true advancement come out of conflict?

Surely we should encourage the expression of the beliefs we hold dear if we want academics, thinkers, entrepreneurs, writers & musicians, and pastors & priests. As a human race, we need to constantly develop, either through the refining of our own beliefs in the furnace of widespread criticism or we need to develop through the acceptance of correction and the adoption of improved thoughts.

Besides a practical reasoning, there are reasons why every American should uphold free speech to the best of their ability. To begin, there is an obligation to uphold the values and traditions of those that fought hard for it. As the first amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” This amendment, the first of the ten Bill of Rights written by James Madison, remains increasingly revolutionary as the time goes on. Not only did it set the stage for the reconsideration and clarification of human rights worldwide, it also preserved the nation during troubling times.

The Founders, every soldier, and their families fought so that they could freely practice their religion and their values without a King censoring them. Unfortunately, even in those times, the threat of censorship persisted. Blood was spilled for the freedoms that we take advantage of every day. The ones that call for the “death of America” do so with the protection of the amendment that they cry against. Some might say, “but certain speech should not be tolerated.” Perhaps these claims could be correct.

Many conservatives have celebrated at the idea of their two most hated late-night talk show hosts having their shows canceled in the midst of controversial and ill-intentioned comments.

However, does this not set up a precedent that can backfire for conservatives? Even Ted Cruz, a leading conservative states that it is, “unbelievably dangerous for government to put itself in the position of saying we’re going to decide what speech we like and what we don’t, and we’re going to threaten to take you off air if we don’t like what you’re saying,” (NBC, 2025).

As Americans, are we not supposed to allow even the speech that we disagree with? With the exception of illegal exclamations such as “Fire!” in a movie theater, speech, however adverse, should be protected for all of our sake. Our words will always find disagreement with another party no matter who is in the majority or minority. This freedom of speech protects all minorities at any time. It keeps the balance in check for every person no matter where they are on the socioeconomic scale. For every word that can be weaponized, there are many others can be used in defense. In the public discourse, we must remember that the best way to silence opinion is by offering up a better one.

If the early Continental Congress understood that keeping debate and rational disagreement was necessary for the country to run, then surely we should keep this in mind the next time we wish to silence our opponents, even if we know without a doubt the falsity of their resolutions.

The final reason that we should protect the freedom of speech is for the upholstery of theology. For the students of Regent University, much of our Christian heritage is founded on the speech by which Christ’s message was delivered. If words have meaning, then surely the ultimate Word brought about the Ultimate sense of meaning. As John 1:1 states, “The Word become flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1: 14). Christ spoke his message in the public forums, allowing even the Pharisees and the Romans to interject with their questions and retorts. Similarly, Paul enters Greece and debates the philosophers with their own words and precepts at the tip of his tongue.

For centuries, Christians have debated with pagans in order to provide a steady defense of the faith as Paul calls for in his letters to Timothy. Unfortunately, throughout history Christians have shed blood to silence those whom they thought to bring a poison to the Church. To turn the tide, A revolutionary named Dominic de Guzman sought to fight heretical teachings, not by public execution or persecution, but by rational argument and Gospel-centered education. Believing that the Truth would triumph over heresy, he traveled with his followers (soon to be known as the Dominican Order) to preach around the world. They soon found that heresy could not stand the test of argumentative trial and criticism. Thus, the cults of heresy found their flames fizzle out, ending any near future of rekindling.

Today, in order to uphold theology, we must allow those that may be wrong their ability to speak their opinion. In return, we have protected our ability to retort with educated prowess. If allowing the existence of shallow lies is necessary for us to advance with an undeniable and well-spoken Truth, then certainly we must continue this allowance. Though the Truth of the Gospel exists on its own grounds, it also can exist in response to any lie, opinion, and worldly assertion. In America we have championed the ability to preach religious beliefs without persecution. If we deny this for others, then we can be certain that our efforts will backfire on us tenfold.

As we look forward for our country, we must understand that free speech is necessary for our country to flourish. Patriots have fought for our right to speak and disagree. Why then, is blood still spilt as a result of the content of our disagreeing opinion? Our country must persist with its values in order to protect each citizen regardless of culture, creed, and faith. We must call for an end to the violence. However, we must call for perseverance of free thought and vocal enterprise. Speech should not be silenced. If our guns are lowered so that our voices are raised, then an agreeable exchange, in my opinion, has been made. A country never advanced through silent citizens.? May we disagree each other in a civilized fashion, not just for the sake of our ideas, but for the sake of our country. I hope that we continue to disagree on policies in a way that ensures that refined resolutions are consistently pushed forward.