Freedom of speech

[New2Ya]

A beautiful thing, freedom of speech.

But it's also a very dangerous thing. If you are free to say anything to you want, you are also allowed to cause pain and suffering to massive groups of people.

I take the Westboro Church as an example, because of their hurtful messages. Protesting against homosexuals at funerals, against soldiers (apparently also homosexual in their book) at their memorials, against people in general really. They are using the freedom of speech, but not for the reason freedom of speech is meant.

So we gotta discuss about the following: is there a limit to freedom of speech, and if so, what would that be?

In my opinion, when you use the freedom of speech, you need to be aware of what hurt you cause to others. You should not be allowed to emotionally rip people apart and enjoying while doing so. Look, when you accidently hurt someone, that's considered a mistake and to be forgiven. But when you KNOW you hurt someone (hurt is not the correct word here. They're wrecking these people...) you shouldn't be allowed to continue this.

In most countries, including Australia and most European countries, the Phelps would not be allowed to say these things at funerals. Reason is because of its past. The aboriginals in Australia being discriminated for so long, and the Jews, homosexuals, dark-skinned and gypsies in Europe. Those countries have a past not so long ago and do not allow these people to be hurt again.
Ironically enough, America had a similar past with dark-skinned people, but apparently freedom of speech knows no limits there. Well, calling someone the N-word is not allowed, so apparently there IS, but why are the Westboros for example still accepted to do what they do?!

Discuss.

[ikkuh2]

Two criteria (i bet you've heard them before), when it calls for violence, doesn't matter to who. And when insulting a group for something they can't do something about (race, gender, sexual oprietation etc.). That's when you crossed the line.

[Square Ninja]

Freedom of Speech is a right guaranteed to all Americans, so I still wonder why people discuss it/argue about it. The better question is "what are you using your rights to say."

[Aucune Raison]

Actually freedom of speech isn't total. For example, in the workplace, people can sue you for harassment. When you're at a school, it is limited severely.

Also, I forget which state, but within it, if you feel that if you're being threatened, you're allowed to shoot the person who is doing so.

There are also limitations on racial discriminatories.

Nothing protecting sexualities outside of the workplace yet, and churches can say what they want because of freedom of religion.

[gramp anime scholar]

Rights are often coupled with responsibilities.

That is all.

[Square Ninja]

Originally Posted by Ragione

Actually freedom of speech isn't total. For example, in the workplace, people can sue you for harassment. When you're at a school, it is limited severely.

Also, I forget which state, but within it, if you feel that if you're being threatened, you're allowed to shoot the person who is doing so.

There are also limitations on racial discriminatories.

Nothing protecting sexualities outside of the workplace yet, and churches can say what they want because of freedom of religion.

No shit? For the life of me I though we could do whatever we wanted whenever we wanted. You just saved me from a lawsuit.

[mad cunt]

Why are Americans so obsessed with freedom of speech?

Freedom of Speech works in that they're free to tell you you're free to say whatever you want. Doesn't mean it's true. A right to say whatever you want is simply a right to lie. I'm sure authorities foresaw how this would bite them in the arse, and so we have perjury as a counter-measure felony.

[Endgame]

Freedom of speech dosn't exist.

If you speak out against a concept, you're uneducated.
If you speak out against a person, it's slander.
If you speak out against the government, you're disloyal to your country.

Freedom of speech means: "You're free to say what you want so long as you don't say things that go against common practice, tradition, or rules."

[Aucune Raison]

Originally Posted by Square Ninja

No shit? For the life of me I though we could do whatever we wanted whenever we wanted. You just saved me from a lawsuit.

He was asking what limits it has.



Zetsumi- You can do it if you want to, but there is a mental barrier placed by society. Also, you obviously don't watch or listen to anything political if you think that speaking out against concepts and people is not allowed. =-P

[Firo]

Look at the Phelps family they cross the line. They're abusing the right of free speech. The fuckers.

[Nevermore]

Basically what Ken said.

People have the freedom to say whatever they want, but they have to be ready for consequences of what they say. Another requirement is that your expression of freedom doesn't harm another's expression of freedom (or security), like in Ragione's example. Barring the prior condition, all any "freedom" means when placed upon by government is that you will not receive judicial punishment.

[Chimubar]

Freedom of Speech crosses the line once it gets into race and religion.

Thats all there is to it.

[Square Ninja]

Originally Posted by Psychokinesis

Freedom of Speech crosses the line once it gets into race and religion.

Thats all there is to it.

"You're free to talk about whatever you like, as long as we approve of it."

[Watson]

Originally Posted by Square Ninja

"You're free to talk about whatever you like, as long as we approve of it."

Hmm...America, what a country! In America, you can say whatever you want. In Russia, you can say whatever the government wants! Now reverse, now make the same for both, now add Canada, now you have the end result. Look at it, seems interesting huh?

[Diastyl]

rights have responsiblilities, and what ever consequences happens, it depends on our own actions if they were hurtful or not, and it's also up to us to heal or hurt