BeWise

The Price of Individual Freedom

The third installment of my freedom series deals with the freedom of the individual.  So far, we know that freedom is a choice and freedom is a risk, but freedom is also a compromise.  Not a typo, compromise.

Expounding: freedom on earth is based upon the freedom we each individually posses.  As humans we are each connected to other humans through our actions and responses to various situations and so forth.  Their is an interconnectedness in humanity, the saying "no man is an island" is truer than we think.  We were created to interact.

Because we interact, the choices we make and risks we take will inevitably affect - positively, negatively, or neutrally - those around us.  So, in order for freedom to exist for me, freedom must be able to exist in the same capacity for anyone in the same environment.  If I can make a choice, you must also be able to make the same, otherwise freedom isn't universal or attainable.

If you move closer to being truly free, others must also have the same opportunity.  If Christianity is making you more free, then others around you should be able to do the same thing you are and become free in the same way.  If your practice of Christianity makes you free but causes others to be oppressed then you are living under a false sense of freedom. 

Here's the epiphany: if you want to be free you must keep those around you in mind, you must compromise your selfishness to gain freedom.  You cannot be self-focused and ever be truly free, because freedom allows for everyone to achieve freedom, which can't happen when all our choices are about us.  In fact, you are actually stealing others freedom.

Compromise selfishness...chew on it, let me know your opinions.

there it is

bw