Five imperatives for fighting the culture war.

During Dillon’s speech, he outlined five imperatives that he believes are crucial for those willing to join him in his battle for life and free speech:

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Securing the right to speak.

Dillon emphasized the need to protect free speech against both hard and soft censorship. “There’s a hard censorship which is where they actually take your content down and then there’s the soft censorship that you actually silence yourself because you know if you do post it, there will be some kind of penalty they might take,” Dillon said. He pointed out that because people could lose their platform and their voice, they censor themselves and do the work for the censors. He warned that this kind of subjugation – self-censorship driven by fear – threatens the ability to speak the truth. He emphasized that speaking the truth is the foundation that makes all other rights possible. He posed the question, “How do you defend life?” if you can’t speak about it.

Defending reality.

In a world where language is twisted and manipulated, Dillon stressed the importance of reclaiming the truth by reclaiming the language used to defend the truth. He urged the audience to speak plainly and call things what they are rather than submitting to euphemisms like calling abortion “healthcare.”

Aiming for victory, not compromise.

Dillon took aim at the habit of compromising on core truths, especially in the world of politics. He didn’t mince words, calling out the widespread cowardice, noting that politicians are often afraid to be “too pro- life.” He urged everyone to stand firm on their principles, encouraging courage and boldness in defending the issues they hold dear.

Winning back the culture.

According to Dillon, changing the culture requires more than just loud proclamations; it involves crafting compelling stories that resonate with people. He called for more comedians, writers, and content creators to engage with issues in a way that challenges the prevailing narratives.

Courage is contagious.

Dillon concluded his speech with a reminder that courage has a ripple effect and that the more people who stand up against the false narratives, the easier it becomes for others to do the same. He urged everyone in the room to lead by example, inspiring others to join the fight for life and free speech.

Free speech under fire: Dillon’s legal battles and advocacy.

In his pursuit to protect free speech, Dillon has faced more than just criticism. He’s battled censorship on multiple fronts including The Babylon Bee getting kicked off Twitter for eight months after refusing to take down one of their stories that they posted on the platform. The Babylon Bee’s suspension from Twitter in March 2022 occurred after they posted a tweet naming Rachel Levine, a transgender woman and U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health, as its “Man of the Year.” Twitter cited this post as a violation of its rules against “hateful conduct. The Twitter account was eventually reinstated after billionaire and free speech advocate Elon Musk bought the platform.

The Babylon Bee also recently mounted a legal challenge against some California laws aimed at regulating political satire. Represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, Dillon and The Babylon Bee are fighting what they see as an attack on the First Amendment’s protections for satire and parody.

Dillon’s fight is not just about protecting jokes; it’s about defending the right to speak uncomfortable truths. To that end, he’s also testified in front of Congress. He explained in an interview with Michigan News Source, “Satire is, in some ways, a very serious business” because it ridicules bad ideas. He went on to say that the Bee’s jokes are “thought provoking and aimed at making people think and rethink some of the things that we’re taking seriously that we shouldn’t be.”

Joining the fight for life and truth.

When asked whether he foresaw becoming a freedom-of-speech warrior when he became CEO of the Bee, he said, “I never expected they would come after the Bee as aggressively as they did” or that fighting the censorship would become one of the primary things that they do today. But his resolve only grows stronger as the attacks mount and his response to the censorship? “Bring it on.”

Which “president” will make for better comedy material?

When asked whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will give the Bee more material over the next four years, Dillon said they both provide a source for humor. He answered, “I think they’re equally rich. It’s not a situation where if one or the other one wins, comedy dies. I think, regardless of who wins, there’s going to be plenty to joke about…it’s rich, rich territory either way.”

Is there any subject that is taboo to write about?

When asked if there are any topics that are off-limits for his satire site, he explained that some subjects are definitely touchier than others because of their controversial nature. Abortion, for example, is a topic that’s particularly tricky to handle with satire but there are angles that can work. He said it takes careful thought to ensure the humor isn’t misunderstood or misinterpreted. He said it’s not about avoiding these subjects altogether but about being mindful of how they approach them to make sure the message lands clearly.

Dillon’s vision for the future.

Seth Dillon doesn’t just see humor as a tool; he sees it as a form of rebellion against authoritarian ideologies. He quoted George Orwell, saying, “Every joke is a tiny revolution,” highlighting how satire can undermine tyranny and empower the oppressed.

He left the Traverse City audience not just with a smile but with a renewed sense of purpose and a challenge to join him in the battle for life and free speech. As Dillon continues to lead the charge with The Babylon Bee, he reminds us all that while laughter may be the best medicine, it can also be the sharpest sword in the fight for truth.