Do you believe in the freedom of speech for everyone, including hate groups?

Answer 1

Yes I do. There is no law that says I have to listen, support or acknowledge them and their point of view.

I believe it was Voltaire that said, "I may not like everything you say, but I will die for your right to say it." That is the exact spirit that freedom of speech is written and interpreted.

Hate groups have the right to say whatever they want to. But they do not have the right to act upon what they say or think. That is when it becomes illegal.

Answer 2

I absolutely believe in freedom of speech for everyone. People seem to think that freedom of speech should mean that you can say whatever you want without the possibility of consequences, though. For example, the Dixie Chicks thought that they should be able to say whatever they want to say about the President without a negative effect. They are right in that they can say whatever they want about the President and not expect that they should be arrested, but the public has the right to respond to their speech in whatever way they see fit, that's their freedom. It seemed that the Dixie Chicks didn't like the response to their comments and thought that their freedom of speech would prevent them from having to endure the consequences of that speech.

With regard to specific groups, their speech should certainly be limited by the law. For example, specific threats of violence should not be expected to be covered by free speech.

Answer 3

I believe in equal rights and freedoms for everyone, as long as they do not violate the rights and freedoms of another. Hate groups have a right to free speech, as long as they are not threatening violence or violating the law.

Answer 4

Yes. How else will we know who is hating? But you can't have something called freedom of speech and have strings attached to it. As long as the speech isn't harassing anyone, then they have every legal right to say it. Does it make it right though? No. But to say that I can say what ever I want and you have to be quiet because I don't like hearing it is a double standard.

Answer 5

Freedom of speech comes with responsability, one with out the other is not worth, therefore the hate groups all antagonize and cause fights , and violence, so with words we must be carefull ,as they can slash like a sword! Remember the nazi propaganda in Hitlers Germany and what it cause! So Iam for freedom of speech when it comes with respect and responsability.

Answer 6

Certainly!

What´s now considered to be inappropriate (hate groups) there has history often showed that they just were the first to see what others didn´t see. Or didn´t want to see. Of course not always but the pattern is quite common.

A society that in reality doesn´t support Article 19 in UDHR, is traveling a road where history so far always has showed is the road that the Roman Empire took.

Answer 7

Absolutely. Even without hate, many people might be offended by the views of just about anyone else.

True Freedom of Speech applies equally or not at all.

Take Mel Gibson's current situation. He can say anything he pleases and we can all be disgusted by it...but it is not a criminal act.

Answer 8

Yes, even hate groups have that freedom. Seems everyone does except the Dixie Chicks.

Answer 9

Yes I believe in freedom of speech.. Unfortuntely hate groups too because someone has to let off steam...

Answer 10

Yes because it would not be a freedom if everyone and every group was not entitled to that freedom