So many people think and act as though because someone says something that offends them that they are somehow oppressed. Doesn't being oppressed mean that no one would be allowed to have opposing opinions rather than just being offended because someone else has the freedom to think differently?
2007-04-26 07:15:06 · 12 answers · asked by Momofthreeboys 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You are absolutely correct. The frequency of the two words being equated has gotten out of hand, particularly in highly advantaged "soft" post-modern societies where slavery, prison camps, and genocide are not daily activities (which is a good thing, of course). The worst thing they may have ever experienced was someone verbally disagreeing with them or calling them names. But ask someone who has directly witnessed those experiences whether they think offense and oppression are the same, and they will say "No"!
For anyone who says that they are being oppressed because they are "forced" to witness or accept another person's speech or actions, the conversation goes like this
(Let A be the offender and B be the offended):
A: "Is my speech or behavior preventing you from speaking or behaving freely in ways that you choose?"
B: "Well, yes, because it means that I have to go somewhere else to avoid your offense."
A: "Who says you have to go elsewhere?"
B: "I do. My values and conscience are offended."
A: "Oh, I see. So you are able to do and act in ways dictated by your conscience?"
B: "Well, yes, I suppose, but you still offend me."
A: "Well, I agree you are offended, but so long as you can say and do as your conscience dictates, no one is oppressing you!"
Of course, oppression is not always a bad thing. Laws of state and society are forms of oppression. In a democracy, the majority can oppress a minority by making their actions or speech illegal with the consequence of arrest. I am not allowed to parade naked on my city street or get up on a church podium and denounce organized religion, even if I am a sworn nudist or atheist. Either activity will probably involve forceable arrest or removal from premises. That is oppression, and whether you think it "good or bad" oppression is up to you, case by case. I'm sure you can think of many other examples. It is more common than you think, and perhaps not always a bad thing.
But offense and oppression are very different. Offense is a subjective experience, controlled in part by the person offended. Oppression involves force, and so long as someone is not using or threatening physical force against you (hate speech) or systematically destroying your activities, livelihood, or writing, you have not been oppressed.
2007-04-26 08:33:04 · answer #1 · answered by fluvial_shell 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. CHristians = offended. Gays = oppressed.
Or, are Christians and gays the same?? I didnt think so. So quit youre whining, Christians. You havent been oppressed since being fed to lions in Rome.
2007-04-26 14:20:26 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Big difference.
Offended - I say something that you don't like. BFD. You can choose to ignore it, choose to debate me on it, or take a million other actions that are your choice. I offended you, but you can respond as you wish.
Oppressed - I say something that you don't like, and I then oppress you. You cannot respond without dire consequences, such as imprisonment or death.
2007-04-26 14:20:36 · answer #3 · answered by Big Super 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sure. You can be oppressed and not know it. You can be offended by inoffensive things.
2007-04-26 14:21:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are absolutely right. Free speech is not oppression.
2007-04-26 14:21:41 · answer #5 · answered by in a handbasket 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think there is a difference,being depressed could be brought on by your own negativity as opposed to oppression being brought on by(example)the devil
2007-04-26 14:23:37 · answer #6 · answered by loveChrist 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Shhh. You understand that, next thing you'll be trying to sell is the idea that there can be 2 OR MORE sides to an argument.
2007-04-26 14:19:23 · answer #7 · answered by LabGrrl 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes I totally agree. Most of us are cry babies like that at least once. I mean we all want what we want when we want it and it makes us angry when we can't make people see our points. It is wrong.
2007-04-26 14:20:26 · answer #8 · answered by bess 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have often and sometimes easily been offended
but
I have never been oppressed.............
2007-04-26 14:22:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously, if you have the right to have your opinion, I have the right to have my opinion about your opinion and we can both say whatever we like.
2007-04-26 14:23:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋