Throughout the course of history, many have given their lives in struggles to obtain freedom from oppressors.
About 2000 years ago, a civilization was being oppressed because of religious differences. A man named Moroni rose up to defend the rights of his people. He tore off his coat and wrote the words, "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children." He used this "Title of Liberty" to rally his people to defend that which they held dear.
I think of the story of William Wallace who led the Scottish in their war of independence against the English in the 13th century. He gave his life in the war that led to the independence of Scotland. In the movie Braveheart, Wallace says, "And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance - just one chance - to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom." (The movie has many historical inaccuracies, and this quote can't be attributed to William Wallace. I still used it here because it rings true and was beautifully written.) We do not know which words William Wallace actually used while motivating his men to fight, but he would certainly have believed those poetic words from Braveheart.
About 240 years ago, The Founders of these United States were participating in heated debates about their situation with the British crown. Keep in mind that the colonists weren't being murdered, they weren't being enslaved, in fact, they enjoyed a great amount of freedom in their 13 colonies. That being considered, remember with me the words of Patrick Henry during the second Virginia convention when he said, "give me liberty, or give me death!"
Why did Patrick Henry and others feel so passionately about liberty? What made liberty and freedom so important to them and to others throughout history?
Do we treasure liberty as they did? Are we willing to sacrifice for it as they did?
Many in today's society are unconcerned with liberty. What are we missing? Do we need to hold it in higher regard?
Why is freedom important? Why does it even matter? Is it really worth giving your life?
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