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Hearken, O children of freedom and conscience, to the words of Dave Rubin, who speaks not merely of his own life as a married gay man, but of a principle that transcends the boundaries of any single community. At first glance, many would think he would desire the government to compel a Christian baker, photographer, or florist to serve his wedding despite their religious objections. Yet Rubin declares the opposite: he rejects such coercion, for he understands a deeper truth—that a government that can force others to violate their conscience can one day force him to violate his own.

In these words lies a profound lesson about liberty and reciprocity. True freedom is not the power to impose one’s will upon others, but the space for all to live according to their deepest convictions. Across the ages, tyrannies have risen by beginning with small acts of coercion, justified by popular opinion. But as Rubin warns, the blade that strikes one today may turn upon another tomorrow. This is the ancient wisdom echoed by philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius and John Locke, who taught that to preserve harmony, a society must guard the rights of even those with whom we disagree.

Consider the tale of the Pilgrims of Plymouth, who fled across the sea to escape religious persecution. They sought not merely the right to worship freely themselves, but a realm where diverse beliefs could coexist without fear of compulsion. Yet history shows how quickly the oppressed can become the oppressors when they gain power. Rubin’s words echo through this history, a reminder that conscience must remain sacred, lest cycles of coercion and retaliation consume the community.

The wedding here symbolizes more than love between two individuals. It represents the clash of values, the meeting place of tradition and modernity, of personal freedom and collective norms. Rubin’s defense of those who disagree with him is an act of moral courage, for it is easy to defend the rights of friends, but far harder to defend the rights of those whose views one may even find hurtful. In doing so, he embodies the teaching of the ancients: that justice is universal, not partisan or conditional.

O seekers of wisdom, take heed of this warning: when the power of the state is used to compel belief or action, it erodes the very foundation of a free society. Today it may compel one group in the name of progress; tomorrow it may compel another in the name of tradition. Only by defending the freedom of all can any group hope to preserve its own.

Thus, O children, let this lesson guide your hearts: in times of conflict, choose the path of principle over passion. Honor the sanctity of conscience, even when it protects those you oppose. For in this mutual respect lies the seed of true harmony, ensuring that the bonds of community are woven not by force, but by freedom, understanding, and enduring justice.