Origins of "Echoes of Freedom"

For some time I have watched with great interest the growing divide in our country on almost every key issue. It seems the very fabric of our society is being torn by each side, by each personal interest. One can't express disagreement with an issue without raising the ire, disdain and verbal affront of those on the other side.

Two or three weeks ago I had a discussion with a business associate regarding whether it was wise to express personal opinions on an issue via Twitter or FaceBook. He said that at a recent networking meeting one of the businessman shared an experience where he had expressed an opinion about a political issue on FaceBook. He was amazed at the verbal confrontation the ensued. He was more amazed that he lost 50% of his customers due to his expressed position on the issue. He said, "I learned expressing your opinion isn't worth the potential negative impact on your business." My associate agreed.

This conversation and the conclusion of these two businessman, that it is safer to sit quietly by to perserve relationships both personal and professional rather than to be engaged, has gnawed at my soul. We live in the Land of the Free where we should be able to express our opinions, beliefs and values without being viewed as a hate monger or intolerant. But that is the ideal. I realize that to stand for truth often fuels the flame of disagreement, content and unfortunately even hatred of those who would circumvent and even destroy our freedom.

The challenge is how do you express your opinions with civility and respect so that a good dialogue can take place.

This blog is a forum to share my thoughts on freedom. Since I believe strongly our freedom is founded in a moral and a righteous people my thoughts will span freedom, God, religion, the family, military efforts, and more.  In some small way I guess this is my personal echo of the Title of Liberty raised by the Book of Mormon Captain, Captain Moroni:

 12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—^aIn memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.

 13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his ^abreastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the ^btitle of liberty) and he ^cbowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of^dChristians remain to possess the land—

Reference: Alma 46:12-13 (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/46.12-13?lang=eng#11)

I look forward to sharing my thoughts and invite a respectful discussion among friends.