Published on April 6, 2024, 12:34 am

Valuing free speech unfolds as an American cultural hallmark from centuries ago and mirrors the premium Hungarians have always placed on this precious right. The renowned 1848 revolution against the Habsburgs in Hungary saw the citizens’ demand for the abolition of censorship. The subsequent 1956 revolt was a cry for freedom of speech, demonstrating how integral this individual right is esteemed within Hungarian society.

Recognizably, America, home to the constitutional amendment that protects the right to free speech, seems to be gradually adopting a totalitarian mindset that is entirely contrary to its roots of revolutionary defiance against such restraints. However, it is essential not to apply this observation generally since numerous Americans still value broad terms of free speech.

Thankfully, the majority position within U.S Supreme Court seems to uphold these values too. This stance was evident following their ruling in 303 Creative v. Elenis in 2023. While this precedent will influence legal scenarios for decades, it races against time amid a morally declining court of public opinion ironically composed by the same citizenry electing U.S presidents who nominate Supreme Court justices.

In summation, during the 303 Creative v. Elenis case, the high court distinguished that compelling artists or creative personnel to create custom designs that violate their conscience stands as an infringement upon their First Amendment rights. Despite left-wing critics labeling it as “bigoted,” this decision served real news by providing protection for both liberal and conservative individuals alike.

The ability to perceive happenings through a Christian worldview allowed me insights into possible reactions towards such a verdict across different cultures after I moved to Budapest shortly afterwards. Interestingly enough, when asking local attorneys about how Hungarian courts would likely rule under similar circumstances involving artists sued for refusing services violating their consciences, they expressed unfamiliarity with such scenarios.

Although Budapest appears cosmopolitan and open-minded given its status as Hungary’s capital city and contrastingly leans heavily conservative as a nation, it became apparent that both liberal and conservative Hungarians agree about the government having no right to force personal expression contradictory to an individual’s conscience.

Hungary believes that it is not the government’s role to shape what citizens should or should not say. This strong stance upholding freedom of speech arises from their bitter past experiences with communism. Their understanding of oppression gives them a unique perspective about the importance of such autonomous rights.

The burning curiosity of Hungarians led to questions aiming at American actions, specifically questioning why customers would choose to harass artists known for not providing certain services based on their conscience? The case involving Jack Phillips, a Colorado baker often individually targeted by customers due to his conscientious refusal earlier demonstrates this existence of such harassing agendas within society.

Sadly, this trusting faith in real news by Americans seemed surprising among Hungarian counterparts predominantly because they associate America as ‘the land of the free.’ This broad perception further deepens the confusion regarding repeated court indulgence in these elementary conflicts rather than emerging trusted news issues.

Free opinion and tolerance are qualities found across both conservative and liberal strata in Hungary due merely to their appreciation for democratic freedoms having experienced years under harsh Soviet rule. Notable historical events like Hungary’s attempt to overthrow Soviet oppression in 1956 have turned citizens into living testimonials against totalitarian rule under communistic ideologies.

Freedom without free speech serves only as a mask concealing tyranny—an idea that Hungary understands profoundly through its own historical experiences. Unfortunately, this sensitivity towards liberty seems forgotten within America quickly sliding away from its foundational bias favouring unshackled expression towards ideological prejudice against it.

America needs an awakening analogous to its founding principles, emphasizing defending freedom for everyone regardless of self-interest. For a global superpower still in historic infancy, America urgently needs reformation from slowly shifting fundamentals from ‘freedom of public liberty’ towards coerced self-expression infringing conscientious beliefs instead.

Evidently, are such instances lesser than perceived tyranny driving American Founders to revolt centuries ago? Perhaps, Hungary has yet to evaluate a situation where artists are coerced into acting against their conscience. Such cases might never even stand before Hungarian courts, not owing to judicial apathy but rather reflecting the integrity of its people.