Members of Westboro Baptist Church picket the funerals of soldiers killed in the line of duty.

Their message is offensive to those who mourn loved ones. Courts in the U.S. have judged that the picketers have the right to protest even if their actions are scorned by the majority of Americans.

Some of our election campaigns trumpet messages demeaning to various candidates. Atheists and evangelical Christians routinely trade barbs.

Our ideals of free speech, which allow for the expression of sometimes unpopular views, remain difficult for those in the non-Western world to fathom. We see this in the protests over the video trailer demeaning the Muslim prophet Mohamed. Some press for “blasphemy” laws against such acts. Christians and other minority religions in countries like Egypt and Pakistan fear these laws, which have been used to persecute them.

In our current political campaigns in this country, we have passed the level of civility. Some ads resemble pitched battles rather than a discussion of the issues between intelligent citizens. Nevertheless, our freedom of speech remains precious. I can only encourage public revulsion against that which destroys rather than enlightens. In this country, corrections to excesses are always possible.

I have found my Christian faith strengthened by listening to those who don’t believe as I do. I develop reasons for my faith that allow an honest dialog with those of differing beliefs. A faith protected by laws can become a tepid faith.