Liberty and Fractured Freedom

From my Perspective - - -

The Liberty Bell has been visited by millions of people who journey to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to see this symbol of our heritage. We rely on History and Tradition to get a sense of the reason and significance of this symbol. “The Pennsylvania Assembly ordered the Bell in 1751 to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of William Penn's 1701 Charter of Privileges, Pennsylvania's original Constitution. It speaks of the rights and freedoms valued by people the world over. Particularly forward thinking was Penn's ideas on religious freedom, his liberal stance on Native American rights, and his inclusion of citizens in enacting laws.” Of special significance is the Inscription on the Bell: “…As the Bell was created to commemorate the golden anniversary of Penn's Charter, the quotation "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," from Leviticus 25:10, was particularly apt. For the line in the Bible immediately preceding "proclaim liberty" is, "And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year." What better way to pay homage to Penn and hallow the 50th year than with a bell proclaiming liberty?”

Another reference indicates about the Bell: "Tradition tells us…it continued tolling for the First Continental Congress in 1774, the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775 and its most resonant tolling was on July 8, 1776, when it summoned the citizenry for the reading of the Declaration of Independence produced by the Second Continental Congress…and to hear the first public reading by Colonel John Nixon…” The Bell was often used “…throughout the period from 1790 to 1800, when Philadelphia was the nation's capital, uses of the Bell included calling the state legislature into session, summoning voters to hand in their ballots at the State House window, and tolling to commemorate Washington's birthday and celebrate the Fourth of July…”

Liberty is defined as: “The condition of being free from restriction or control; the right and power to act, believe, or express oneself in a manner of one's own choosing.” Most of us have become familiar with the Bill of Rights contained in the first ten (10) Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. In our complex culture and society, it becomes a fair and valid consideration: How Free Are We In This Nation. When we remember the inscription on the Liberty Bell: "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof…”, we are caused to wonder when we read on June 30, 2008: “An evangelist convicted of federal crimes for preaching on a public sidewalk in front of the Liberty Bell is appealing his case. Repent America director Michael Marcavage was sentenced to a year's probation and fined by a federal magistrate for refusing to leave a public sidewalk near where the Liberty Bell is on display outside Independence Hall. Marcavage is now appealing the conviction for "obstructing agency operations" to the U.S. District Court. "We weren't obstructing anyone. In fact, the government even stipulated, during the trial, that we were not obstructing or blocking anyone and that I was not acting disorderly…”
(http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=157564)

It seems as though more than the Liberty Bell is cracked. We mouth the words in our Pledge of Allegiance to The Flag: “…one nation, under God…” while preventing the mention of and the praying to God in our schools and many public forums. Students have had their diplomas withheld, and microphones turned off, when they attempted to give their testimony about Jesus Christ and their relationship to Him. It seems as though Liberty and Justice are selectively applied. “Proclaim Liberty…” – by whom and to whom - well – not by a minister standing by The Liberty Bell in A.D. 2008, and not by our public school children today…

Think about this with me - - -