"We gained freedom through the revolution"; "Anyone who opposes freedom is a slave"; "They want to take us back to the old days—days without freedom"; "It was Nikol who gave us freedom." These are the types of statements often heard from government and pro-government circles, echoed by those who uncritically support them, the ones who merely pretend to serve these ideals, including "fakers" for their sake.
The revolutionaries even have their own holiday, Citizen's Day, celebrated annually on the last Saturday of April. According to the Civil Contract Party, the concept of a "citizen" is derived from the idea of "freedom" or something similar. The holiday symbolizes that a citizen, alongside others, determines his own destiny and freely chooses his government.
What is freedom, in general? Views on this concept have evolved over time, shaped by religious beliefs, civilizations, environments, and worldviews. In a certain sense, freedom can be defined as the ability of an individual to make decisions independently, based on his own free will and personal motives.
Buddhists generally believe that in this material world, a person cannot be truly free, if only because they depend on basic needs like air and food—factors tied to the external environment. The only path to true freedom, they suggest, is to transcend this material world by one's own will, shedding all material and psychological "shackles," and liberating the mind from any external influence.
According to many Christian teachings, freedom means doing God's will. If you follow the Lord's will, you are free; if not, then by definition, you cannot be truly free.
We can view these as alternative opinions. Now, let's examine what secular theory says on the matter. Is everyone ready for freedom? Consider this comparison: imagine someone who has been starved for a long time being given a large amount of food all at once. The result is predictable—the person could die because the body must gradually adjust to food, starting with small portions until it can handle larger amounts.
We must also get used to freedom gradually. It has destroyed many societies and individuals due to their unpreparedness. Freedom implies the ability to make choices, and in order to do so, one must follow certain principles, possess a well-formed worldview, adhere to appropriate standards of aesthetic and ethical behavior, and have experience, traditions, and critical thinking skills—even at a basic level. Most importantly, freedom requires personal responsibility.
Is the unruly, spitting, polluting, and foul-mouthed crowd ready for freedom? Are they capable of listening to differing opinions, drawing conclusions, and making informed choices? Freedom, in itself, is not inherently good; it is merely an opportunity for good. If we are not prepared for it, it can turn into something harmful, descending into a feast of unchecked permissiveness.