I am fairly silent. However, I again listened to a media person shutting down someone they disagreed with. It was not done kindly. So, I wrote the following. My hope is not to point fingers at anyone but to ask if we can allow our differences without making it personal.
Living in Greece gave me some lasting impressions. One of them is related to the idea that if a Greek did not vote they could lose their passport. Seemed a bit harsh to me. My teacher explained that while voting was a freedom it was also a responsibility.
Lately, a lot is being said about freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom to bear arms. However, I have heard very little about the associated responsibilities. The problem is not the freedom; the problem is irresponsibility.
The solution is not to take away the freedom. The solution is to require responsibility. Do not punish those who are responsible, but address those who are not.
How can we judge if it is responsible or not? Well, how would you judge it if it was being done or said to you? It is easy to justify it when we are doing it to another. Would we feel differently if it was being done to us?
I am committing this day forward to be responsible in the use of my freedom of speech, the press and the bearing of arms. I am committing to supporting others in the responsible use of their same freedoms, even if I disagree with them. I am committing to defending those who are being harassed by others who are irresponsibly using their freedoms. I will defend them even if I disagree with them.
Will you commit to the same? We can make a difference.
Mary studied Mechanical Engineering as an undergraduate student. While studying she traded semesters working at NASA in Houston, Texas. It was while working at NASA that she felt the tug on her heart that God had another plan for her life. Upon graduation, Mary proceeded to serve as a missionary for the next 11 years of her life; she served in Greece the last two years of her service. Upon returning from Greece, she pursued her Master's degree in Counseling, which led to a job with a major university. It was while working there that God did what God faithfully does, she found herself working as an engineer again as she managed major construction projects for the university. She also pursued her Master's degree in Engineering Management and her Professional Engineering License. Mary now on her ministry and writing. When Mary left missionary service it was her desire to return to fulltime ministry one day. She had her first outline for a book in 1989 (a book she has yet to write). Her first book was published in May, 2014 with the second quickly on its heels in December, 2014. She continues to write and is developing an evangelistic series of books centered around Jesus Christ. Her prayer is that her books will bless others' relationships with our Father God and His word.