I’m not sure whether it’s ironic or fitting that I’m too sick to dictate this article, because this article is about freedom of speech in light of the horrific attacks on French satirical newspaper, Charlie Hebdo, earlier this week.

I consider myself a firm supporter of free speech and the First Amendment of the United States, full stop. I was quite happy with the reaction of the international community at large after these attacks, with the vast majority of news and media outlets (our very own Tower included) coming not only in support of those affected by the attack, but also in support of freedom of speech, the press, and artistic expression, among other freedoms.

Not wanting to be influenced exclusively by large news sources and word of mouth, though, I resolved to find out for myself more about Charlie Hebdo’s content. I searched the internet and found that, among other political positions, Charlie Hebdo considers itself anti-religious and anti-Christian. As a Christian looking through some of the pictures it has published, my first thought was, “I probably wouldn’t buy a magazine like this.”

I disagreed with the messages of some of the pictures I saw, but the idea that I would let my personal opinions at all interfere with their right to publish them is ludicrous. I hope and am confident that my peers in the Masters religious community feel the same way about this. We must never forget the victims of these attacks, nor the sacred importance that freedom of speech and the press has in making and keeping our society free. Even if we disagree with or are offended by the things we sometimes see in the media, we cannot and must not allow criticism to ever give way to censorship. Censorship in my opinion is one of the most cowardly things we as humans are capable of. Debate and disagreement, on the other hand, I believe to be some of the most heroic.

As S.G. Tallentyre wrote, attributing the quote to Voltaire, “I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Je suis Charlie.