bringing forth

I posed this question to friends on MSN messenger. It started out as a mini personal quest to find out what freedom meant to different people. Why through a chat and not face to face? well just because people think a bit more and are willing to reveal a lot more in the virtual realm. So after some poking and prodding I have decided to put down some of the replies I have culled, not all because apologetically speaking, some were rather run-of-the-mill. I have kept them anonymous. Am I not the budding sociologist? ha.
How true does freedom sound to you?

- making a choice and be willing to bear the consequences. I think it's related to truth as well... the person must not be disillusioned.

- the ability to speak my mind without fear of repression by authorities; ability to be who i am without interference, but this is hardly possible.

- to be always ready to engage with the world and reveal what you have inside of you - passion and control. by passion I mean not abusing talent, power, position etc.

- wear whatever clothes you want.

- no such thing - cos it's not present in the world and hence it's not possible for me. Unless you're talking about through religion, I guess for some people it is possible in their own subjective way.

- do anything I want without commitment.

- no girlfriend.

- never let anything influence your emotions, do whatever you want without regretting.

- able to do anything without commitment or consequences,

For me? The world, on its own, does not allow for true freedom. It is only possible from a source outside this world. To me it is not about not bearing consequences or doing anything I want to or feel like doing. It is more than just feeling, it is also about believing you have true freedom. A conviction. To be able to do anything you want to do and remain secure in the belief that there will always be someone to prop you up, lend you strength and advice and correct you when you are wrong. True freedom comes when being free means living in the truth.