Freedom of speech is under attack and it could get worse

[SlayerRondo]

The Fury said:

padib said:

Why laugh at people or their ideas though? It's part of the problem. Understanding or trying to understand others is a much better solution than laughing at others. It leads to harmony.

It is obvious that freedom of speech can be abused of. However many people today are resorting to censorship to deal with that abuse, in essence throwing the baby with the bath water.

The problem with abuse of freedom of speech is not freedom of speech. The problem is abuse.

So, the question is, how do you deal with abuse of freedom of speech? You identify the source. Abuse of freedom of speech most likely originates in hate: e.g. using words to harm others.

Fix the problem instead of throwing the baby with the bath water is what I propose.

How do you deal with hate? Well, hate leaves traces. Violence, harassment, lack of respect, intolerance. Love doesn't do those things. Love is the opposite of hate. Identify hate and you are a step closer to the solution.

Irony is that laughing at ideas is freedom of speech. Your are free to view an idea someone has voiced with ridicule if you believe it to be ridiculous.

In answer to your other questions, Education. It's all about education. I know when to shut up, when to speak up and I know what is and isn't offensive, is and isn't right based on my upbringing and education.

I think that the idea that what offends people can be understood by any one person is incorrect as it varies from one person to another. I think that the best answer to what offends people is "everything" as their is almost always someone who is offended by something.

If the muslims who came out for censoring speech that offends their sensibilities were asked "should religious speech be banned if it offends other people?" they would immediately show their hypocrisy and say that restricts their own freedoms.