Texas has a long tradition for freedom of speech. In the early days of the Republic, citizens had tremendous freedom of speech. People were able to just about anything they wanted to. During those days, lack civility in language was often condemned by the decent law abiding people of the community. Citizens knew what was acceptable talk and what was not. When the censure of the ‘law-abiding’ citizenry did not keep people in line, duels and the threat of lawsuits did. In the early Republic, taking people to law was a common occurrence. Although this practice was rampant for a while, the law abiding citizenry often looked down on such actions like frivolous lawsuits as well. (I know all lawyers think the suits they file are legit, and they claim they have never heard of a frivolous suit.  Such lawyers need to wake up to common sense and ask a man on the street, who often have a better sense of what is frivolous and what is not).

The practice of dueling also made society more respectful of each other as well. Another freedom, the right to bear arms, also made society more respectful. Texans placed a high value on their arms and the RIGHT to carry them.

Although the local Bible preaching church at one time educated people of what decent behavior is, with fewer churches preaching from the Bible, coupled with the decreasing respect and fear of God, this part of the checks and balances on freedom of speech is no longer in place.

When there is no checks and balance on freedom of speech, the government often resorts to force as a way to put limits on what people say. Rather than having ‘freedom’, the subject are allowed ’speech codes’. These speech codes dictate what is and is not allowed to say and address. The idea of using a code or law to know what should be said or not said is not new. The Bible did this as well. What is different is that it is based on the opinions or policies of a bureacrat, rather than having the authority of the Word of God behind it.

Freedom of speech is a tradition in Texas. What has changed is how ‘decent speech” is defined and  handled. Texas has lost a great deal as society has decided to use other methods of “respectful speech”.

Although there are many fantasies about the “Wild West” or “Old days in Texas”, the reality, was that people had a respect for authority. Decent speech was controlled by self-control rather than a government using force or the threat of force to limit what is said.  There is still some freedom of speech left, which must be protected.  We have the choice of self-control or “law of the jungle” in trying to keep our freedoms.

Free Texas!

J. Murrah

Bible, Culture, duels in Texas, freedom of speech in Texas, lawsuits in the Republic of Texas, Right to bear arms

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