Liberty vs. Freedom
There has been much talk in recent years about a looming Constitutional crises in the United States of America. Much of the crises may begin with confusing the meaning of two words used often in our politics and government, “freedom” and “liberty”. Liberty, not freedom, is the second ‘right’ government is tasked with defending in the Declaration of Independence.” The Founding Fathers used the word “Liberty” for a reason.
‘Freedom’ is exercising your preferences, simply making choices. But ‘Liberty’, on the other hand, is living your life without an oppressor. Obviously, that distinction becomes critically important in analyzing the history of human government. ‘Freedom’ is much more general, focused on you and your ability to choose. No constraints are included or understood in the word. Liberty, or living without an oppressor does not mean living without any constraints at all. The enlightenment philosopher, John Locke, so influential in our founding, defined the “pursuit of happiness.” He said:
“ . . . we are, by the necessity of preferring and pursuing true happiness as our greatest good, obliged to suspend the satisfaction of our desires in particular cases.”1
Pursuing true happiness is the ‘long game’, the satisfaction of a life well lived and a vision of the eternal. That’s achieved by strong self-discipline and conversely injured by weak self-indulgence. Thus freedom carries with it moral responsibilities.
“But this Nation was not founded solely on the principle of citizens’ rights. Equally important, though too often not dis- cussed, is the citizen’s responsibility. For our privileges can be no greater than our obligations. The protection of our rights can endure no longer than the performance of our responsibilities. Each can be neglected only at the peril of the other.” (John F. Kennedy)2
As Abraham Lincoln said, “ …Our fathers brought forth upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”3 America is unique in being “conceived in liberty.” Now, post-9/11 America is witnessing the slow erosion of our freedom for the sake of security as we sacrifice freedoms for its sake. Nobel prize-winner, F. A. Hayek connected this to the rise of Socialism:
“Until comparatively recent times few people seriously confused …‘freedom from’ obstacles …with the individual freedom that any kind of social order can secure. Only since this confusion was deliberately fostered as part of the socialist argument has it become dangerous.”4
The more America rejects her Christian roots, the more our freedom will disappear. The more we ignore that our government is conceived in liberty, the more we invite oppression. Who conceived this government? Was it our Founding Fathers or God inspiring them? I believe America has been given a divine mandate, a mission to defend liberty and will fail if we forget who empowers us and why!
John Locke, http://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/locke-the- works-vol-1-an-essay-concerning-human-understand- ing-part-1
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, “Re- marks in Nashville at the 90th Anniversary Convocation of Vanderbilt University, May 18, 1963,” http://www.jfkli- brary.org/Research/Research-Aids/JFK-Speeches/Van- derbilt-University_19630518.aspx
From “The Gettysburg Address” delivered by Abraham Lincoln at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War, four and a half months after the Battle of Gettysburg, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettysburg_Address#Text_ of_the_Gettysburg_Address Accessed May 5, 2017.
Hayek, F. A., The Constitution of Liberty: The Definitive Edition, ed. by Ronald Hamowy, (Chicago: The Univer- sity of Chicago Press, 1960), 65