Is not offending people more important than freedom of speech.?

Answer 1

Offending a persons sensitivities should take a back seat to pretty much everything.

If not, then we're going to be a planet ful of people where nutjob religious fanatics can prohibit anyform of education because it 'offends' their world view of an existance with their god.

Offence is just like beauty and ugly--its all in the eye of the beholder. We can't be restricted fromsaying what we want about those we dislike--especially if its intentional--just because some one wants to throw out the "ewwwww...I'm so offended!" card.

400,000 Muslims in Indonesia rioted and protested in the streets and called for the death of Americans because they were offended by a Danish Cartoon.

After that, I was offended that we didn't just let them all die after the 4 major natural disasters in the past 3 years. that American money saved them from the aftermaths of.

So there it is......two opposing views of what is offensive. Can't have both outcomes. With free speach, we can all say what we want and not have to worry about one opinion or another having the force of law behind it.

Answer 2

I would say that freedom of speech is more important than not offending people.

Let's face it we all take offence at something or other someone says to us. It is human nature and if you think about it this the basis of freedom of speech.

As long as we do not set out to deliberately to cause hurt and pain, freedom of speech is the way forward. It gives power to the people though sometimes at a great cost.

Answer 3

Freedom of speech is more important. It is getting to the point where you have to guard every word out of your mouth. If people would just use some common sense, manners and a little intelligence, they would know that there are certain words, or labels that are just meant to demean another, and it's just a matter of being polite NOT to use them. But when we are bending over backwards not to offend terrorists, illegals, now THAT is ridiculous. Ridiculous also is saying MERRY CHRISTMAS is not being PC, some places have banned the EASTER bunny in favor of the SPRING bunny. All ridiculous. How far will it go? What will be the next holiday deemed UN-PC? July 4'th? Will we have to rename it "We apologize to Great Britain" day?

Answer 4

Freedom of speech is more important. Not because there is any intrinsic value or advantage in offending people, but simply because there are many issues that should be allowed to be honestly and objectively discussed by society. If discussion of important aspects of these issues is censored due to the risk of offending people, then discussion of such issues can become misleading and biased. And in a democracy where (in theory) public opinion has a strong influence on government policy, having a misinformed public can lead directly to dangerously misguided government policies and laws.

Answer 5

It definately depends on the situation.

If freedom of speech is being used to directly harm someone then it is not morally appropriate. If freedom of speech is being combined with priveledge and or power so that it affects the other persons life negatively (such as continues oppression) then it is not appropriate. Freedom of speech ends when it infringes on the constitutional rights of another person. This includes their right to pursue happiness. Sometimes offending people is more serious than simply offending them. Words can have power, especially when combined with priveledge or power.

Answer 6

Everyone has the right to freedom of speech, but some people take it too far and feel that nomatter how insulting something may be to someone else it is okay not to take their feelings into consideration bcause of "freedom of speech". In that case there would be no such thing as racisim as it is also a form of "freedom of speech".

I think that people should at least try not to hurt other's feelings when expressing themselves.

Answer 7

Offending people means you are infringing on another person's right - so I guess that takes the priority. Not offending people. As much as Freedom of expression is important, it is more important right of others not to be offended

Answer 8

what people find offensive is merely in the eye of the person on the listening end (kinda like art). I can say something and you not like it..regardless of what it is I've said. Why should my ability to say something be hindered b/c you may or may not find it offensive. After all, there are no words that I cannot physically say, so why should those same words be "legally" hindered?

The reality is words are words, if you allow a word to become offensive to you, you are missing the point. Words do not hurt people, that's just it, they are words, they are empty radio frequencies emitted out of someones mouth. BFD.

Freedom of speech needs to be protected...you dont want to hear a word, or phrase, then grow a sack, or never leave the house!

Answer 9

freedom of speech is more important, however, if someone is obviously going out of their way to insult and offend another person then something should be done about it.

Answer 10

I believe it is ok to offend people in the name of free speech.

I think its more about the offendee then the offender.

Why is this offending the person.

If its a belief, what is it about that belief which is so real to someone.

I think the more free speech the better.

But I draw the limit at threatening cute small animals. Because theyre cute and should be protected cos their small and cant protect themselves against overweight bearded men with tattoos