Pushed Free Speech Limits Until Death
In the news recently has been the terrorist attacks in Paris, France. Back in 2011, following elections in Tunisia by an Islamic party, a French satirical magazine named Charlie Hebdo released an issue with Muhammad as their “guest editor.” The problem is that Muslims do not believe Muhammad’s image can or should be rendered in any format and are offended by that effort.
In retaliation, then, Muslims have firebombed the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo and killed a dozen people. The editor is was named Stephane Charbonnier. Back in 2013, Charbonnier pointed out that he had no wife, no kids, no car and no credit. He did not care what he put into his magazine nor whom he offended. “I’d rather die standing than live on my knees,” he said a few years ago.
First, as an American, I believe in free speech. As a Christian, I do not believe we help our cause by offending other people’s religious beliefs. Normally, we get upset when Hollywood mocks Jesus and holy themes. How many people posted negative comments about the movie Noah? If we do not want our Savior ridiculed, we should also not ridicule someone else’s beliefs.
But I want to draw a different lesson from this incident with Charbonnier. It comes from the article about his death from Foxnews.com entitled: “Charlie Hebdo editor Stephane Charbonnier pushed free speech limits until his death.” I disagree with what Charbonnier did. But I am amazed that he was willing to do what he did even if it meant death. Of course, it did in his situation.
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Elijah had such courage when he contended against 450 prophets of Baal. Jeremiah had that courage when he rebuked his own people for idol worship. John the baptizer had courage when he told King Herod he was in an adulterous marriage. Stephen had that kind of courage when he told the synagogue they had crucified the Son of God. Nearly all the apostles had that kind of courage defending the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Charbonnier’s courage was ultimately wasted on a fruitless, pointless, worthless effort of mocking someone’s religious beliefs. But if you clothe that courage in the doctrine of Jesus Christ, it becomes a holy and righteous conviction.
May you and I always have the attitude Paul expressed to Christians who begged him to avoid offending with the Gospel: “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13).
–Paul Holland
