Back in 1976 Robert Lamm wrote a song for the Chicago XI album titled Vote for Me. The Lyrics are prescient, as he promises to “Cut your tax in half, make the Russians laugh, feed the hungry people everywhere…..” and make cars that “run on anything except gasoline.” On tax policy, domestic policy, energy policy, and foreign policy he seems to be in line with the goals of the major party candidates 32 years ahead of time. Then again, we could probably apply the same lyrics 30 years from now again. The same promises are made. The same challenges remain.
Ever since John Calendar made his first sum spreading the rumor that John Adams was unhinged, prior to the 1802 election, rumor and innuendo have been tools skillfully applied against the opposition in American politics. In an irony that would set the pattern, Calendar would return to spread rumors about Jefferson as well. In the 2000 Republican Primary in South Carolina, push-pollsters called the homes of voters and asked, “Would the knowledge that John McCain is the father of a mixed race child change the likelihood that you would vote for him?” John McCain is an adoptive parent of an Asian child. But the intent of the push-polling was to suggest he had “outside-children” tucked away around the nation. Since he had already said some unkind things about Jerry Falwell, the Stars-and-Bars, and The Andy Griffith Show (I made that part up) – and since it was rumored he put sugar on his grits (some said he didn’t even like grits) – the suspicion had its effect. McCain was crushed in the South Carolina Republican primary.
Of course this kind of intentionally misleading, and hurtful speech is protected by the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution. In the first major freedom of speech case decided by the Supreme Court, Schenck v. United States (1919), the Court established the “clear and present danger” standard as the enforceable limit on free speech. The Court upheld the conviction of Schenk, the General Secretary of the Socialist Party. He had sent 15,000 leaflets to newly conscripted soldiers, encouraging them to not fight in WWI. Justice Holmes gave the famous (and brilliant) illustration of a man yelling “fire” in a crowded theater being speech that was not protected.
The New Testament places further limits on speech. It must be true (Col 3.9), and it must be edifying (Ephesians 4.29-32). Jesus applies the same standards in the Sermon on the Mount (Mtt. 5.33ff for truth, and Matthew 5.21ff for edifying speech). I had a student a few years back who had been raised on communes in Hawaii, and California her entire life. She had never eaten meat. She had never worn a synthetic fabric. She had never read the New Testament – until she did so for my class. It was a great gift to observe someone have a pure first moment with the teachings of Jesus. After the class she paid me the greatest compliment I ever had. She said: “If Christianity really is what you presented in class, then I want to spend my life as a Christian.”
While we were studying Matthew 5.21-26 she made an astute observation. Jesus says, referring to the sixth commandment “You Shall Not Murder”, that this prohibition includes saying “you fool,” and “you worthless person.” My student said “Unbelievable. Jesus equates hate speech with violence.” He does.
Jesus specifically makes reference to the kind of name-calling that devalues a person as a person, and says such speech is sinful and will be judged as harshly as murder is judged. I must admit I am sometimes guilty of such speech (though it is almost always directed to other drivers, referees, and cats). But I shouldn’t use such speech- no Christian should.
Much has been made recently of the tone at political rallies - of the awful things shouted in public, and rumored in private. Much is bandied about concerning who is saying these things, who is encouraging them, and who suffers. One thing is clear – We Christians shouldn’t be saying any of them. Period.
Free speech is protected by the First Amendment, but not by the Sixth Commandment – not the way Jesus applies it. Let us remember that our citizenship is primarily in Heaven (Philippians 3.20), and we are bound by God’s law first.