Freedom Reigns

For most people, freedom is viewed as the opposite of confinement or slavery. Outwardly freedom is the absence of oppressive external constraints and is enjoyed as independence, individual rights, and liberty. Freedom releases the power to determine individual action without restraint. It opens the door for creativity, entrepreneurship, and capitalism. Self-determination leads to choices which can be either responsible or irresponsible. Society develops codes of ethics to guide values in behavior and laws to identify legal and illegal behaviors. Freedom without restraint becomes oppressive, and in the extreme cases might result in anarchy. The 10 Commandments revealed by God to Moses has provided the foundation for Western legal systems and a functional, productive society. Outward freedom only works well for people with healthy internal restraints. True freedom is the ability to do what is right and responsible, not the ability to do whatever one wants.