I suppose the difference is, as posters above have mentioned, how absolute is defined. For me, absolute freedom presumes the absence of government...state of nature type stuff.

Great question. Tough to answer though because it's likely that people will naturally opt in favor of security.

Say, for example, a total anarchic, completely free society was created. If there was a big ol bully, small people would band together in the name of security. To have absolutes of either, the other must somehow be mandated.