Freedom of Speech is a secular concept.
Posted: Thu Dec 04, 2025 11:14 am
Some of you know of my hobby- reading history. I'm currently reading parallel diaries of David O. McKay and Ernest Wilkinson, president of BYU during the 1960's.
In 1968 Wilkinson held a Dean's meeting where the topic of campus unrest and free speech came up. Wilkinson reports in his diary that a professor- Dr.Terry Warner said, "Freedom of speech, as it is known today(1968), is a secular concept that has no place at BYU."
Wilkinson appears to support the idea, with the caveat the freedom of speech is limited by Christianity and the teachings of the Church.
My first thought was: "What about the concept of agency, or free agency as it was called back in Pres. McKay's time.
I am struck with the fact that many "so-called" Christians LDS or otherwise, believe in free speech for US, but not for THEM. In other words: LDS free speech is protected, non-LDS speech is not.
Is that what they think heaven is like?
Apparently Dr. Warner taught at BYU until 2009, at least forty years.
In 1968 Wilkinson held a Dean's meeting where the topic of campus unrest and free speech came up. Wilkinson reports in his diary that a professor- Dr.Terry Warner said, "Freedom of speech, as it is known today(1968), is a secular concept that has no place at BYU."
Wilkinson appears to support the idea, with the caveat the freedom of speech is limited by Christianity and the teachings of the Church.
My first thought was: "What about the concept of agency, or free agency as it was called back in Pres. McKay's time.
I am struck with the fact that many "so-called" Christians LDS or otherwise, believe in free speech for US, but not for THEM. In other words: LDS free speech is protected, non-LDS speech is not.
Is that what they think heaven is like?
Apparently Dr. Warner taught at BYU until 2009, at least forty years.