Billboarding Truth

The Bible has much to say about our speech - we are to speak truthfully, in a manner that is constructive, and produces fruit for the Kingdom of God. We should always strive to speak in a way that glorifies our Savior, and the Bible warns us about the importance of taming the tongue. I believe these concepts extend to other forms of communication, as well, including what is written. This passage from Luke chapter 12 was included in my daily Bible reading recently - these are the words of Jesus:
8 "Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.
9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
10 And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.
11 Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.

Chris Elston is a man who speaks the truth, so much so that he is known as "Billboard Chris." I interviewed him at this year's National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Dallas. Alliance Defending Freedom International states online:

Chris Elston (known as “Billboard Chris”) is a Canadian father of two. He is best known for wearing sandwich boards to express truths about gender ideology and spur conversations with people about these messages. It is his mission to speak the truth about gender ideology to protect his children and children around the globe by raising awareness of its harms.

But his mission—and his freedom of speech—saw a challenge in Australia.

This ADF International article goes on to say:

In February 2024, Billboard Chris created a post on X criticizing the World Health Organization’s appointment of Teddy Cook, a female who identifies as a male, to a global transgender policy advisory board. However, a complaint by Cook to Australian authorities ultimately led to the post being geo-blocked in Australia by the government eSafety Commissioner. Billboard Chris, with the legal support of ADF International and the Australian Human Rights Law Alliance, and alongside Elon Musk’s “X”, appealed the violation of his right to peacefully share his convictions.

Earlier this month, according to The Christian Post:

The Administrative Review Tribunal held a week-long hearing in Melbourne beginning March 31, where it reviewed whether the post constituted cyber abuse. This week, the Tribunal ruled that the Commissioner had erred in classifying Elston’s expression as abusive and formally set aside the removal order.

Deputy President O’Donovan, who presided over the Tribunal, cited Elston’s testimony at length. Elston had stated that he would not use pronouns inconsistent with a person’s biological sex, calling it “untrue” and arguing that doing so “has implications for the rights and safety of women and children.”

The ruling acknowledged Elston’s consistent use of sex-based pronouns as a reflection of his beliefs rather than a form of targeted harassment. The tribunal concluded that Elston’s post did not meet the statutory threshold for cyber abuse under the Online Safety Act and should not have been subject to regulatory action by the commissioner.

ADF International related:

Billboard Chris’s win is encouraging for two reasons:

• First, this victory sets a positive trajectory for free speech amidst a growing trend of censorship. While global and digital censorship are attempting to restrict speech across borders, this win is an effective pushback against it, setting an important precedent to protect free speech from encroaching governments.
• Second, it shows that ordinary people can make a difference. Billboard Chris, a Canadian dad, exercised his freedom of speech for positive change, meaning other regular citizens around the world can do the same. The right to speak freely is fundamental. When ordinary people like Billboard Chris are willing to take a stand, not only can their speech be protected, but this helps open dialogue to flourish everywhere.

It also notes that, "Billboard Chris’s win shows that free speech can be protected and thrive around the world when we stand up for our rights. As governments seek to widen their censorship laws, they can see Billboard Chris’s case as a reason to protect freedom rather than restrict speech."

I want to concentrate on those 2 items that the legal organization noted.  First, we recognize that there is an authoritarian trend, and there are those who desire to silence voices with which they do not agree. Under the guise of "misinformation" or the more serious and subjective charge of "hate speech," these true censors exalt their own point of view while denigrating voices that do not comply.  Those who speak Biblical truth can find themselves in the latter category.  But, we must be bold to speak truth anyway, despite possible negative ramifications.

Also, we may think that we're insignificant and have nothing worthwhile to say.  That is a deception from the enemy.  Chris Elston shows us that an obedient man with an unusual method of communication can be used of the Lord to touch lives - after all, he stands on street corners with a sandwich board that relates God's view of gender.  We can consider how God can use us as vessel of His love and truth.