Another atheist blogger murdered.

[AFTT47]

I agree.

When I was active duty Air Force, I clashed with nearly all my fellow airmen over the attempts to ban flag-burning. I've always considered freedom of speech to be our most important right. Indeed, I feel it is what truly sets the USA apart more than any other thing. To me, shielding a piece of cloth from free speech would do terrible harm to what the piece of cloth represents.

If an idea cannot survive criticism, it doesn't deserve to survive.

[Minimalist]

Where is that part of the fucking koran that says "hack to death anyone who disagrees with you."

I'm sure its in that pile of shit somewhere.

[Brian37]

Where is that part of the fucking koran that says "hack to death anyone who disagrees with you."

I'm sure its in that pile of shit somewhere.

The bible has many verses telling you to stone people to death for a variety of infractions. Holy books are not moral guides, the are tribal gang manuals.

[JesusHChrist]

"And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter... and fight them until fitnah is no more, and religion is for Allah." (Quran 2:191)

The actual manner of slaying isn't specified but I'm sure Allah is OK with hacking to pieces.

[Brian37]

I agree.

When I was active duty Air Force, I clashed with nearly all my fellow airmen over the attempts to ban flag-burning. I've always considered freedom of speech to be our most important right. Indeed, I feel it is what truly sets the USA apart more than any other thing. To me, shielding a piece of cloth from free speech would do terrible harm to what the piece of cloth represents.

If an idea cannot survive criticism, it doesn't deserve to survive.

If America ever banned flag burning that would be the day I start doing it because like you said, it would no longer represent free speech. Unpopular and offensive speech is not protected because you like it. It is protected because you don't want government getting to a future where they might not like what you have to say and  could have the power to silence you.

As long as it is your own property and it isn't causing a safety hazard then all you can say about it is that you find it offensive. 

[Aroura]

Ugh, this makes me feel sick.
I can't even think of anything to add to the conversation, just....

[Brian37]

Ugh, this makes me feel sick.
I can't even think of anything to add to the conversation, just....

Don't just feel sick about it. No you don't have to be a traveling advocate or write books or win a Nobel Peace prize. But preaching to the choir only does so much. Merely posting and spreading this story on all social media like newspaper and tv websites, activists pages, and to your friends as well, it all adds up.

It does help. Having seen where the atheist voice was in 01 and how relatively small it was and far much more demonized, and where it is now which is much bigger with many more famous atheists in the spotlight, it does add up the more you merely raise your voice. 

Things don't change over night, but they certainly don't change at all when we remain silent.