The effect of freedom depends on how you define it. Father Len reveals how God defines freedom and how other definitions can produce destructive consequences.

Highlights, Ideas, and Wisdom

Freedom involves being free from something in order to be free to become something.The American Revolution was about becoming free from the tyranny of a king and the injustices and oppression of a political system.70% of Americans say they are free or mostly free.Two thirds of Americans define freedom as being “free to do whatever I want.”Being “free to do whatever I want” is an immature definition of freedom and the least likely to lead to happiness.Being “free to do whatever I want” is a form of tyranny that allows you to intrude on the life and liberty of others.“The Unbroken Thread: Discovering the Wisdom of Tradition in an Age of Chaos” by Sohrab AhmariWe create laws to set the parameters for a working society.To be free theologically means that we are always working on freedom. Working to become free from the tyranny of selfishness, oppression, and injustice.When the people of a country define freedom as selfishness, it will always be divided and destroyed.People who report the highest level of happiness tend to be religious and meditate regularly.People who report the most freedom from moral constraints tend to be the least happy.“Suicide, A Study in Sociology” by Emile DurkheimThe really hard part of becoming freer is wrestling with our own egos and recognizing when we’re being selfish.“If your definition of freedom is, I get to do whatever I want, just historically, it ends terribly. If our country just believes, I’m free to just think about myself, that’s a loss of freedom. I think it destroys our country.” – Father LenChristians who believe giving up liberties for the sake of others makes them less free don’t understand the freedom of the cross of Christ.Support the work of Wrestling with God Productions by making a financial donation here: https://www.givesendgo.com/wwgproductions