The bible teaches that the messiah eluded his persecutors on many occasions, but ultimately suffered on the cross for refusing to retract his words.  This is a cool example of standing up for freedom of speech.  He suffered an injustice for our sake, in part to teach us about evil in the world.  And in some cosmic mystery his sacrifice (like the passover lamb) allows us forgiveness from our father. 

It might be said that if I am not willing to die for the truth, then I will die for my falsity. Indeed, other than some limited physical abilities to survive on earth, I can hardly claim to have any power over death.  Only through an interpersonal relationship with greater conceptual truths do I feel even an inkling of spiritual power over death.  To paraphrase certain parts of the gospel, a real relationship with life is obtained by love for one another and adherence to the truth. 

From time to time love requires discipline, which is a hard truth in certain situations, but thankfully this duality of love/discipline allows us to realize the related duality of justice/forgiveness. For example, in the face of wrongdoing, we can forgive on a personal level, and at the same time delegate to government the need for justice. This is quite liberating. 

To quote the gospel of John at 8:31, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you know the truth, and the truth liberates you.”