RE: advertising atheism on the sides of buses...good idea?
July 5, 2010 at 11:03 am
(This post was last modified: July 5, 2010 at 11:03 am by The Omnissiunt One.)
(July 4, 2010 at 8:49 pm)padraic Wrote: I do not support anti vilification or anti hate speech laws..
In my opinion the right of dissent to the point of insult is a crucial component of free speech. Everyone has the right to be be offended. No one has the right not to be offended.
The advantages of allowing 'hate speech' (free and open discussion, new ideas even if they are initally controversial, etc.) outweigh the disadvantages (people getting offended) as long as that hate speech doesn't incite violence or persecution. As a utilitarian, I don't believe anyone has an inviolable right to anything, but if a certain law or right promotes the common good, then it should be upheld.
'We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart.' H.L. Mencken
'False religion' is the ultimate tautology.
'It is just like man's vanity and impertinence to call an animal dumb because it is dumb to his dull perceptions.' Mark Twain
'I care not much for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.' Abraham Lincoln
'False religion' is the ultimate tautology.
'It is just like man's vanity and impertinence to call an animal dumb because it is dumb to his dull perceptions.' Mark Twain
'I care not much for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.' Abraham Lincoln
