8.27.2010
Hate Speech.
I wonder if talking positively about the Second Coming will ever be considered 'hate speech'. I personally do not find it at all offensive and would not like to see speech limited in that way, but I can see how, as a non-Christian, it might be offensive to hear someone eagerly wish for the day when you and everyone who thinks like you will be killed. (ie. holocaust)
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5 comments:
I think the law should be based on good manners. Suppose I am a fundamentalist Christian and I have been invited to a gay convention. I ought to be careful in my expression of eager wishes.
But if I am not careful in that way, why can't it just be left as "bad manners" which the organisers of the convention will deal with in their own (legal) way, i.e. switch off the microphone and bundle me out?
There can be only one justification for the curtailment of free speech: when it incites to law-breaking, or the destabilization of society - serious stuff like that.
There should not be laws aimed at preventing offensive utterances per se. As Christopher Hitchens has probably said, "No one should have the right not to be offended". Not that I am much of a follower of Hitchens.
Sounds like we are in agreement then. While I can sympathize with the motivations of hate speech legislation, it isn't something I agree with.
I think the beautiful irony of the second coming, (if indeed it plays out like most christians think it will) will be all of the hateful assholes (like Terry Jones) who will be toasted right along with all the people they were hoping would toast. If indeed even those people get toasted. But I'm REALLY hopping Terry Jones toasts.
I'm going to go eat some bread.
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