2005 First Place Winning Essay

MY FREEDOM AS AN AMERICAN

by Jesse Mooney
Highway Bible Christian Academy
Placerville, California

Arriving in 1620, they had reached the New World, where the king of England was strangely nonexistent. Gone was the stranglehold of English dictatorship. The Pilgrims had come to America seeking freedom-something they had lacked in their homeland. Here, in the New World, they could worship God in their own way, according to their own beliefs. They now had freedom.

The journey of the Pilgrims to America was caused by the lack of freedom. England, the native land, had restrictions, especially on religion, that the Pilgrims could not bear. They did not want to be thrown in prison for exercising their own religious beliefs. They wanted freedom of religion, among other freedoms as well. But what is freedom? Freedom is yet being defined, and its boundaries are sometimes made broader, sometimes made more restrictive. In this world, there seems to be no concrete meaning for freedom. Yet to me, freedom is simply the liberty to do whatever I want to as long as it does not bring harm to myself or to anyone else and is not restricted by law.

The main freedom the Pilgrims sought and the first one outlined in the United States Constitution is the freedom of religion. I cannot be forced by the government or any other citizen to be a part of any religion. I have the freedom to believe what I want to believe, and the government cannot make an intrusion upon that right. This is one of the most fundamental of all the freedoms, yet one that many people across the globe lack. Freedom of religion is a great freedom indeed, and I am glad that as an American citizen, I have that freedom!

Another important freedom mentioned in the First Amendment is the freedom of speech. I can say what I want to say as long as what I say is true and is not meant to defame or slander. I have the ability to criticize the government, its members, and its actions, without retaliation, as long as my criticism is not dishonest or slanderous. Again, this fundamental freedom is lacked in places in the world, where the government can punish anyone who dares to speak out against it. There are many people who do not have the freedom of speech. Yet I, as an American, have that freedom!

Another freedom, also included in the First Amendment to the Constitution, is the freedom of assembly. This freedom, of course, has its logical restraints, as do all freedoms; for the freedom to assemble does not include dangerous or violent gatherings. But I can assemble peaceably. Without this freedom, churches would be outlawed and social clubs would be impossible. Yet many people in different nations cannot peaceably assemble; in some countries, churches must go underground for fear of the government. However, I live in a country where I have that freedom!

Those three freedoms-the freedoms of religion, speech, and assembly-are just a few of the many freedoms that I as an American have. I can also move to another state. I can vote when of age. I can participate in my government. I can choose my own career. These seem so normal, so commonplace. Who thinks choosing his own career is a wonderful freedom? But there are many that would. I, as an American, must remember and be grateful for my many freedoms. I am also responsible to protect and defend my freedoms so that I can pass them down to my children and their children and through the generations.

Freedom-the liberty to do whatever I want to as long as it does not bring harm to myself or to anyone else and is not restricted by law. That is my definition of freedom as an American. But this hope-freedom-cannot be taken for granted, because freedom requires a price; there are many that hate freedom and try to keep others from tasting it. Freedom will be lost if I get lazy and forget what it is like without it. Freedom's price is worth the paying, and I am glad that as an American citizen, I have freedom. I am free!

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