As a citizen of the U.S., I have been thinking a lot about this especially with the heightened sense that a terrorist attack is likely to happen by people who are sympathizers with ISIS or other terrorist groups, and living in the U.S.

Of course, I’d like to have my conversations that are documented in texts, voice, social media and email remain private. However, I would be willing to forfeit my privacy to ensure our national security.

Yes, I am for giving the government every tool necessary to keep us safe. But I also understand that there are many that probably disagree.

Even today, being discussed in the news is Apple’s refusal to comply with the federal government to unlock one of the San Bernardino  terrorist’s iPhone. Apple believes the fight is about security and privacy for everyone.

In C|Net article, How an iPhone became the FBI’s public enemy number one (FAQ) Tim Cook, Apple CEO argues that the “very freedoms and liberty our government is meant to protect” are at stake. The government believes that Apple is only concerned about protecting its brand.

In this case, I believe our national security takes precedence over privacy. Now what that means to private companies, I cannot begin to know.

On a personal level, I guess I am saying that having the government track my activity to ensure I am not a security threat, I suppose that I am okay with that. I would not like this to inhibit me in speaking freely nor inhibit how I live.  I believe the government should have compelling evidence that’s been verified in order to support a reason for placing my name on a no-fly list or a warrant of my property. But, if they had enough evidence to support reasonable cause, so be it.

I say that because I would want the government to have access to all the available tools necessary to protect its citizens to the best of its ability. Besides, the government has its purposes from God:

Therefore who resists the authorities resist what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Romans 13:2-3a ESV

Just my thoughts.