equality vs. freedom

I’ve always why wondered conservatives and liberals have approached civil rights from such a different angle. I know good-hearted and well-meaning people from both camps. Yet, it’s always perplexed me why both sides support particular issues—ones that either violate personal freedom or restrict civil equality.

I heard a very enlightening lecture last night that may have shed light on my perplexities. This great country was built on two ideas: freedom and equality. (Granted, it’s still taking us a long time to get the equality thing down.) The Puritans and the Pilgrims arrived in America to found a new country that allowed for religious and individual freedom. Now, again, we certainly didn’t get it right the first time, considering we put millions in captivity in the midst of our efforts. But nonetheless, the country was based on the ideals of freedom and equality.

However, it’s interesting to note that these two ideals are often in conflict with each other. In order to one to happen, the other must come first. But, in which order? And where do put our value?

And hence, the divide. Generally, liberals would ascertain that equality must come first in order to have freedom. And conversely, many conservatives will say freedom is the means to equality.

Equality first means unless we treated each individual equally, there is no freedom. It also means that sometimes we sacrifice our own freedom for everyone else’s equality. To value freedom first means, that unless each individual is free to be his or her self, then equality will not come to be.

This tension between equality and freedom applies to many issues on the table for the November election. For example, in the case of Prop 8, those who favor equality above freedom would argue that it’s unfair—or unequal—that some couples can enjoy the dignity of marriage while others can. For those in favor of Prop 8, they would argue that California law still gives the same rights and benefits to same-sex couples, but preserving marriage between a man and a woman allows religious institutions the freedom to continue to conduct their business according to their beliefs. More on this in the coming blog.

So as Christians, what should we value? Paul writes on both topics. In Galatians, he says that we have been set free so that we may be in bondage to Christ, so that we may love others. And then he later talks about mutual care, which is displayed as love, and ideally equality. This is the idea that when one has come on bad fortune and the other the opposite, the one with more to give recognizes that both are equal, regardless of circumstance, and generously shares. And when the tables have turned, the one who received will give back. In the midst of differences equality is mutual care for each other.

There seems to be a case for both. And I think it’s one of those “agree-to-disagree” principals. But what will set Christians apart from the rest of the world, is the choice to love each other in the midst of differences.

As you make your decisions about what candidates and propositions to support, take the time to work through these ideals of equality and freedom. It’ll most likely add clarity as you make your personal decision.