are allowed to practice their venomous hate crimes toward the GLBT community. What allows them to essentially say and do(--protesting at gay military's funerals) the right to practice hate speech and hate crimes. If a gay group were to do what they are attempting (albeit losing) to do we would be thrown in jail for hate related charges. Yet they seem to be able to get away with it in the US. Why? I don't think other countries would put up with this type of behaviour as much. Do they have that much political influence? Or does this loosely fall under 'freedom of speech? Note please that a Montreal man was just jailed for 6 months in Canada for 'hate crimes' by using the internet. Is America too liberal in allowing these weak factions to spread their filth and lies?To me 'freedom of speech' does not mean freedom to spread hatred...any more than 'the right to bear arms' means that you can go around killing people.
2007-02-18 06:53:02 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
With freedom of speech comes responsibility. Freedom of speech has limitations - no-one is free to yell "Fire!" in a crwded theatre. It should not be necessary to restrict what someone can say but vilification of others should be a crime. In Australia and many other countries, discrimination and vilification on the grounds of race, religion, sex, sexuality or age are illegal.
I find it sad that the majority of people who abuse gays verbally and physically are, supposedly, Christians. Christianity is supposed to be a religion that teaches love and tolerance. You would not know that from the behaviour of the Christians and the hate speeches from their leaders.
2007-02-18 07:07:26 · answer #1 · answered by tentofield 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Honor is what crossed my mind when reading your story of the military mans funeral. Where is the HONOR that military persons speak of? Whether he was straight or gay should have no bearing, that is something of intimacy. He should be honored for his contribution to his country and communities. I feel this is an outrage to ANY human being. Too bad the media was not there to expose those so called Christians who never walk the path of Jesus! Who once said "Love thy Neighbor as thy self!"
Peace be with you my dear,
J.D.
2007-02-18 07:03:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry Da Ben Dan, but I don't agree with you here. Right now it is legal to protest as long as you do it correctly. What they are doing is distasteful, yes, but not illegal by any means. Actually, I think that the group which is protesting the military funerals is being represented by the ACLU. (they aren't gays in the military, by the way, they are protesting general military funerals saying that they die because the US is PRO-GAY and that it is God's punishment!) And in the US, gays would be able to protest as well; I don't think that we would be thrown in prison for disagreeing.
The right of freedom of speech is held as "sacred". That is why the KKK is allowed to exist, and these Fundy-religious groups as well. Without THEIR freedom, we would not be able to have OURS as well.
2007-02-18 07:04:34 · answer #3 · answered by Tikhacoffee/MisterMoo 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
i agree with the point you're making- no one should have to hear hate speech, but unfortunately it does fall under freedom of speech. until there is something more than speech, it isn't a hate crime.
2007-02-18 07:05:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I agree with you 100%.
2007-02-18 07:23:46 · answer #5 · answered by IndyT- For Da Ben Dan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree. Unfortunately, despite the fact the more enlightened, educated people are more accepting of us, we are still one minority that people find socially acceptable to discriminate against. sad, but true!
2007-02-18 06:58:41 · answer #6 · answered by redcatt63 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Agreed. What more can I say...?
2007-02-18 06:56:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋