The Dangers of Compelled Speech

 

Dear Blogger,

        The First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech protects us from censorship of what we want to say, but we don’t often think about how the First Amendment also protects us from being compelled to say something we don’t want to say.

       Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) has litigated or supported numerous cases, including several at the Supreme Court, taking on compelled speech. Compelling people to speak messages against their most deeply held beliefs undermines the common good. A free society depends on ordinary citizens having the freedom of belief as well as the freedom to choose what to say and what not to say.

What is compelled speech?

        Compelled speech occurs when the government forces you to articulate, advocate, promote, communicate, or otherwise express messages or beliefs you do not want to say. In other words, compelled speech occurs when the government threatens or punishes you for not speaking.

The Supreme Court and compelled speech

       As we prepare for 303 Creative v. Elenis to be heard by the United States Supreme Court on December 5th, it is important to recognize that throughout our nation’s history, the Supreme Court has never held that the government could force an artist to say something they don’t believe.

Pray with us to preserve free speech for all Americans

      On Thursday, December 1st, 2022 at 7:30pm ET, the Generational Wins Prayer Initiative Team will host a virtual gathering to pray for Lorie Smith and the future of free speech in America. Lorie is a graphic designer from Denver, Colorado who loves to create custom and unique websites and other art for causes that she’s passionate about. Lorie wants to design custom wedding websites celebrating God’s design for marriage, but Colorado is censoring her speech and forcing her to design and promote messages inconsistent with her beliefs. Lorie’s case before the Supreme Court could determine whether the government has the power to force Americans to promote messages that violate their core beliefs. We hope you will join us in prayer for Lorie’s case. You can register for this event HERE!

      Also, if you are in the D.C. area on Monday, December 5th, 2022 please join us at the Free Speech Rally at the U.S. Supreme Court to stand alongside Lorie and all Americans’ freedom to say what they believe. If you have any questions about the rally, please email info@createfreely.org.