Is freedom of speech biblical?

[Xeno.of.athens]

In some lands people believe that they possess a RIGHT to freedom of speech but is that a biblical position to hold and if you think it is then show us why it is.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

In some lands people believe that they possess a RIGHT to freedom of speech but is that a biblical position to hold and if you think it is then show us why it is.

Didn't Jesus Christ of Nazareth speak freely? Of course He did! I don't believe I need to point out all the scripture written about how He exercised freedom of speech. What I can say is He continually defended the marginalized while reprimanding the hypocritical.
Blessings

 

[Delvianna]

Freedom of speech within reason.

"Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble" (Proverbs 21:23).
"He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction" (Proverbs 13:3)
"Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger" (James 1:19)
"Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech" (1 Peter 3:10).
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs" (Ephesians 4:29).

So while we have freedom of speech, the bible tells us to control it so that it doesn't speak evil but good.

 

[Bob Crowley]

There's an article here about "Freedom of Information, Opinion and Expression" which is on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.

While it is primarily based on Australian law, both federal and state, it does mention the European Convention and the United States Constition.

Freedom of information, opinion and expression

The UN General Assembly adopted the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on 16 December 1966.ICCPR Article 19 states:

humanrights.gov.au

When I posed the question "Is freedom of speech in Australia based on the Bible?", I received the following AI generated answer.

No, freedom of speech in Australia is not directly based on the Bible; it is instead derived from the implied freedom of political communication found in the Australian Constitution and international human rights treaties. While the Bible discusses concepts of free will and limits on freedom, the legal framework for freedom of speech in Australia is rooted in its own common law traditions and constitutional principles, not religious texts.

Since the Australian government system is based on the British Westminster System, I asked "Is the Westminster government system based on the Bible?".

Again I received an AI generated answer -

No, the Westminster system is not directly based on the Bible, but rather on a centuries-old British model of responsible government that emerged from historical documents like the Magna Carta, Petition of Right, and Bill of Rights, which restricted the monarch's power and vested it in Parliament. However, the Westminster system and the common law traditions it influenced emerged from and are deeply intertwined with a Christian or Judeo-Christian worldview and heritage, which is reflected in the symbols, practices, and foundational principles of the Parliament, leading some to argue that it is founded on these values.

Of course i then had to ask if the US Constition was based on the Bible, and received this AI answer.

The U.S. Constitution is not directly based on the Bible, but many of the American founders drew upon biblical principles and traditions, such as the rule of law, republicanism, and concepts of due process found in Mosaic law, to inform their legal and political thinking. While influences from other sources, including English common law, Enlightenment philosophers like John Locke and Montesquieu, and ancient political systems, were also significant, the Bible offered a framework for understanding governance and rights that resonated with the founders.

In short, both the British Westminister system and it's derivatives eg. Australia, and the US system are intertwined with Judeo-Christian values, but not directly based on the Bible.