In your Oct. 11 editorial titled “Rights,” you wrote “an individual’s freedom of speech cannot overtly trump another individual’s right to peace and quiet.” The example was given of using a loudspeaker in a neighborhood at 2 a.m..

Micah Bishop was arrested at a public festival during daytime hours. At this festival thousands of people were shouting, laughing and engaging in general revelry. Mr. Bishop was not using a loudspeaker and probably could not be heard beyond 50 yards.

You wrote, “The right to speak does not create an obligation for others to listen. The right to speak does not include a right to overwhelm the conversations of others.”

Mr. Bishop was in a public forum, lawfully exercising his freedom of religion, which commands all Christians to preach the gospel to every creature and to warn people from their sin. He was exercising his freedom of speech and those who were in earshot of his message had the option of moving, turning up a radio or ignoring him. Mr. Bishop was not physically restraining people and forcing them to hear his message.

There is a reason why the First Amendment is the First Amendment. The founders of this country understood the importance of maintaining the right to practice one’s religion and boldly to declare Christ’s coming to all who would hear. 

They knew the Psalm that declares “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” It is a free country. Christians have a right to lift up their voices and proclaim Jesus Christ in a public forum. Those who share the editor’s opinion have the right to move down the street if they don’t care to listen.

You wrote, “Micah Bishop will have his day in court,” At 8 a.m. on Monday at the municipal court concerned Christians should unite peacefully to show support.

Lance Rowe

Vicksburg