Most of us have seen the little poem below:

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

~by the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came_…

The poem was about the Nazis. Check out the article, it’s very interesting.  Hitler was not a true socialist or communist, he was a fascist who used propaganda and deceit to gain favor with certain groups that were useful to him. 

Today that statement could be re-written as the following.

First they silenced those who wanted to do business according to their religious beliefs, and I did not speak out—
Because I did not have a business and  I assumed that would not happen to me.

Then they silenced the ones who wanted to keep their 2nd Amendment rights, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a gun owner and I thought the government would protect me.

Then they silenced those who questioned vaccine safety, and I did not speak out—
Because I trusted the doctors to do the right thing.

Then they silenced those who questioned  LGBT sex ed in elementary school, and I did not speak out—
Because I had no children in elementary school and I trusted the schools to take care of children.

Then they silenced the ones who questioned the Climate agenda and I did not speak out—
Because they called it proven and I trusted the scientists.

Then they silenced parents who wanted to teach their religion to their children and take them to church and call sin, sin, and teach the gospel and the Word of God, and I spoke out, but it was too late, they were already in power. 

Then they took away my freedom to question them by making it a hate crime—and there was silence all around.

The government has very successfully been allowing the power of social media shaming and blocking posts and cancelling accounts to silence people, even powerful ones. Have you been silenced? What topics have you been afraid to discuss or share because you are afraid of what people will think of you or that there might be job repercussions? Do you think this is no big deal? Are you aware that people are losing their jobs for giving their opinions on social media? Are you okay with this amount of power to control us and destroy people’s lives? Is it their ‘fault’ for giving their opinion? Does one statement on social media totally erase all the positive things a person has done? 

If you stop talking, they will fill the space with their words, namely propaganda designed to tell you what to think. 

Are people allowed to have thoughts and beliefs that others think are wrong? Do you think everyone would approve of every thought and opinion/belief that you have? Are we truly entitled to be protected by law from hearing words that we don’t agree with? How far will they take this line of reasoning? 

In the dystopian book 1984 by George Orwell, thought crimes play a large role in the story. The government has a “ministry’ devoted to propaganda, which they call the “The Ministry of Truth’. Every day they remove things from history books and add new ones. They also listen to the citizens at all times and illegal thoughts and speech are severely punished. 

Winston Smith, the main character of Nineteen Eighty-Four, works at the Ministry of Truth. It is an enormous pyramidal structure of glittering white concrete rising 300 metres (980 ft) into the air, containing over 3000 rooms above ground. On the outside wall are the three slogans of the Party: “WAR IS PEACE,” “FREEDOM IS SLAVERY,” and “IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministries_of_Nineteen_Eighty-Four#Description

The U.S. Constitution guarantees our right to freedom of speech and religion. 

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. – First Amendment, aka, The Bill of Rights, Passed by Congress September 25, 1789. Ratified December 15, 1791.

Back to the poem. These are serious issues. There is a SERIOUS battle going on in our country right now over freedom of all kinds, but especially freedom of thought and speech. Are you willing to give up your rights to talk about and do the things that matter TO YOU because some academic or government expert has decided that you no longer have that right? The things I listed may not be your pet topics, but I guarantee that you have one. What subject is important to you? Are you willing to let your freedom be taken away?

Speak out before we are all silenced.