Continued trampling of free speech in this country?

Question

A church speaks out against war and tax cuts...and then is investigated by the IRS.

Remember the golden rule of free speech: play Devil's advocate. If you're a so-called Conservative and you find nothing wrong with justifying war and "praying for the troops" in your church, then you should find the opposite (i.e. opposing war in church) to be a violation of free speech principles.

One day when people realize their rights are gone, they'll have no recourse to reclaim them. Sad.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060916/ap_on_re_us/anti_war_sermon

Wolf - the question was stated above. Perhaps in your haste to scribble an answer, you missed that part.

Larski - are you implying that I should feel guilty about not volunteering to join a war of aggression that only fattens the bottom line for Halliburton, Cheney and other chickenhawks?

Sammy - what's the abuse of free speech here? Free speech abuses are typically hate speeches against a group(s). I'd hardly call speaking out against war as an "abuse" of free speech. C'mon...

Mojojo66 - I hardly have double standards. I'm fighting for everyone's freedom of speech. If the majority of churches are going to imply that the congregation should stand behind Bush, then the minority of churches should have the freedom to speak out opposing war. You have no understanding of the separation of church and state doctrine...its spirit is to keep the state out of the church, but that churches (like any other organization) have a right to express their opinion(s).

Answer 1

I'm afraid I have to say yes. Since 9/11, there has been a wave of patriotism that meant if you speak out against the President, his policies, and the government, you would be singled out as a traitor to your country. Well so what? We have a right to say whatever we want, according to the First Amendment to the Constitution. If they don't like what we say, then that's their problem. And what the IRS is doing to that church (after coming out against that illegal conflict in Iraq) is TOTALLY REPREHENSIBLE on the government's count. Let's pin the blame on Bush for this climate of foolishness he created!

Answer 2

I agree with you on the topics you mentioned but to me the founding fathers never had some of the vulgarity that's being passed off as free speech in mind,when the constitution was written.I further believe that the slanted,biased,liberal media and it's rendition of free speech is the single most damning problem that we have in America! You simply can't believe anything that you read in the newspaper or see on the television news.

Answer 3

Why is it you Libs have so many double standards? You're all for Separation of Church and State except when you're the one that doesn't want to do the separation. We have media whores like Cindy Sheehan protesting the war at every turn, crapping on her son's grave, and no one is stopping her! She's even free to buy land in Crawford, Texas to hold her anti-war rallies. Why don't you scoot on over to Iran, N. Korea, China, or even Russia, and see just what it's like to have your freedom of speech halted, and so many other freedoms that you take for granted here in the US. If this church was audited by the IRS, then something fishy was going on with the church's finances.

Answer 4

What comes from the pulpit should be controlled by those attending. If you disagree with it you are free to voice your opinion. Churchs are voluntary organizations in this country. You don't have to attend. First amendment says so.

The piece didn't really say what you implied.

Answer 5

It's the current administration that has caused this. Anytime someone speaks out against something, they're made a pariah. This country is supposed to be about free speech, but isn't anymore. Both sides have their faults, but more the conservative side. They want a complete dictatorship, and anyone who disagrees will be stifled. You're right. Our rights are disappearing little by little. And p*ss on any of you who blame "liberals".

Answer 6

Sorry friend. Ever since God talked to bush, the government can cross the line at any time. You mention free speech. Thank God for holding bush back on that one. But, things could change at any time.

Answer 7

Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10 minutes.
He stays up for days on end.

You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.

You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.
He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.

You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.

You make sure your cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.

You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.

You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He doesn't get to eat today.

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.

You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.

You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.
He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.

You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the broken bodies lying around him.

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does exactly what he is told.

You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.

You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.
He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap, only to be awakened by gunfire.

Answer 8

It may be time to grab the muskets, and go to an encampment in order to plan our attack, or we could just vote to change the government, get some if not all of the good ol' boys out of of office. That is the American revolution and it is possible to have one every two years. I report you decide.

Answer 9

There is such a thing as abusing your freedom of speech.

Answer 10

No, liberals just hate the fact they have to follow the same rules as everyone else...