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[lillim]

Here's another curly one for you, raised in the lengthy thread from yesterday

Comments

[lillim]

It's one I have to remind myself of constantly

[ozgenre]

...by continuing to exercise free speech. The more a thing is said, the more it is heard (granted, it doesn't presume that it's listened to). Having a forum so that what you say cannot be ignored does seem to imply that you impinge on the right NOT to listen.

[gevauden]

I could devote a large number of words to this, but I'm hungry so I'll try to be brief.

I definitely fall on the side of upholding freedom of speech for everyone, because this includes the freedom to argue and provoke thought, rather than just shutting down certain views. Danny Nillah's views are certainly hateful, but such views should be expressed in full. Why? Because the more they're expressed the more open to scrutiny they are and the easier it becomes to break them down.
It's not a perfect solution, as there are a lot of people who won't listen to logic, but I prefer the idea of changing thoughts through reasoned discussion than through the banning of ideas.

That's the nutshell version.
Now I need food. :)

[lillim]

ecause the more they're expressed the more open to scrutiny they are and the easier it becomes to break them down.

that's certainly an upside to free speech... as long as people are challenging these negative statements.

[night_suit]

I think everyone has a right to say what they please, but they have to be able to qualify what they say and/or face the consequences of defaming individuals/speaking in an inflammatory manner. A society that has a modicum of tolerance and civilisation will always hold people like Pastor Nalliah culpable. It seems every time this guy talks, he hurts the reputation of himself and his church as much as he does any individual or group he attacks

[random_llama]

I'm on the side of freedom of speech too, in particular freedom of dissent. Even if the prevailing opinion is shining with the light of truth and dripping with the milk of human kindness there should always be the opportunity for one small voice to yell you're full of shiiiiiiit!

So what if people like Danny Nillah makes hateful statements? We can then go on to reject them, discuss why we reject them and then we grow as humans and as a community. This is how we develop ourselves, this is how we form opinions and this is how we gain wisdom.

[lillim]

and what I guess this leads us to is that, in a society where free speech is the norm, we need to ... (dont you hate it when you've got the concept in your head but cant find the words for it?) We need to actively engage with public discourse and be more vigilant to stand up and be that voice of dissent if it's needed.

[random_llama]

That personal responsibility is the thing I find scariest about free speech.

[lillim]

it's putting a *lot* of trust in other people.

[night_suit]

Also, I think no-one has any responsibility for much besides themselves, really.

[night_suit]

I disagree. If one is responsible for oneself as part of a greater society, and honestly, as thinking individuals, that is all we can account for a great part of the time, then the rest takes care of itself, does it not?