Is it only non religious people who have the rights of free speech?

Question

Just wondering, because I see a lot of "christian" and "religious" bashing in here.
Every time a christian or religious person states what they believe the non religious people attack them call them morons delusional etc..
so did I miss a law or a memo that it's okay to be closed minded and mock others who are religious?
shouldn't we respect what others "chose" to believe or not?
how can we say we are open minded non brainwashed free thinkers if we are on a campaign to disrespect belittle and mock others heart felt convictions.
I mean isn't that what the Intelligent educated great thinkers taught us?
we may not agree but we should "let freedom ring"

thebigm57...well said.

jenx...my point exactly

jonmcn49...back at ya, I'm sick of God haters shoving their garbage down my throat, it seems you guys have become what you claim to hate the most...hypocritical

Answer 1

Mainly just nonchristian.

A public school teacher can have the Koran in her classroom library and nobody sues her. But if she has a Bible there she might get sued, or at least ordered by her principal to get rid of it.
People of other religious faith might receive some disapproval for saying what they believe. But mentioning Jesus seems to set off alarms everywhere in the United States.
Apparently we need to rewrite the amendment to say freedom of religion as long as it's not christian.

Mostly, the people who want to quench our freedom of speech have forgotten that they have the freedom to not listen.

Answer 2

I promise I'll read the rest when I finish typing this !! . Now I've never been baptized !?! ~!! & "MY OPINION" is: "Those that "BASH" people because of what they have faith in!?! Telling them that they are WrOnG & or stupid for what they have faith in; Is just stupid !! & worthless"~!!: & a great deal of THEM will be left holding some worthless bag !!" Now to be is thee BEST WAY TO GO"~!! Just ignore the ((StUpId Ones))~!! They just fail to except that The Christ will come just as a thief in the night!! furthermore How many of you have ever crossed a street at night & looked & saw some bright headlights that seem SOo close that you start to run to reach the curb/getting out of the way ?. Well that's those that wo'nt properly except the Christ !![thief in the night] means "NOBODY KNOWS THE HOUR HE WILL RETURN"~!! So uh'mm YOU just do what you do !! & ... nevermind !! many wo'nt heed any warnings anyway !?! ;-{} "R"`r,r'.r`,'-

Answer 3

There is no right to not have your feelings hurt.

Somebody telling you that you're silly because you choose to believe in silly things isn't a restriction on your ability to speak freely about the silly things you believe in. Grow a thicker skin or move to a forum restricted to people who believe in the same things as you if you don't like it. I don't know where people get the idiotic idea that speech should be restricted if it chances to offend somebody - true freedom is the ability to do just that, and face the consequences of one's actions.

A question to *you* would be: "is there a law or memo that states it IS NOT okay to be closed minded and mock others who are religious?". Just because you choose to believe in something doesn't mean I'm obligated to respect you for it - I'll fight to the death to preserve your right to believe in such things, but that doesn't mean I have to like, agree with, or respect what you believe in - mocking somebody's beliefs is just as much free speech as stating one's beliefs.

I think you need a better understanding of what restricting somebody's free speech actually is, before you make such ridiculous claims.

Answer 4

I really think that the anti-Christian "bashing" that you see is quit reactionary. People do get tired of being told almost constantly that they are going to hell if they do not accept Christ. They get tired of being told that their religion (or lack thereof) is wrong.

I respect free speech. That's one of the reasons that I served in the military. I also believe in these little things called propriety and manners. I do get extremely tired of running into people who tell me that my religion is wrong ALMOST EVERYWHERE I GO. Outside of grocery stores, in public parks, on the street, and HERE.

I don't believe that I engage in the continuous bashing that you describe. I have on rare occasions used the words fairy-tales and such, and I've seen the same words used about my faith from Christians. On the other hand, I tend to defend believers when people misrepresent their beliefs. Still, I do tire at daily, perhaps hourly here, and often around town at being told that I'm hell-bound for being a witch.

Answer 5

there is ignorance and nastiness on both sides. I think that you putting all Atheists in this basket is wrong. You may have had a bad experience with Atheists but you can't slag us all off. I understand your frustration, but Atheist get a bad time as well. This site should have free speech, but that means you are going to get answers you don't like, it is immature to cry about it, because what they are doing is free speech. which is what you are in favour off. Protestants attack Catholics, Christians attack Muslims, etc etc and they together attack Atheists. So live and let live is not a theory well used on here, but you have to be mature enough and secure enough in your belief to be able to let it wash off like water off a ducks back.

I think you should just have a look at the catholic profiles and other christian profile b4 just slagging of the Atheists.

Answer 6

That's a lot of questions. In answer to your first one, everyone has the right to free speech. Everyone is (basically) free to say what they want, and everyone is free to call that person an idiot for saying it. No freedoms are infringed upon on such an exchange, although feelings may get hurt.
I won't be the first or the last to point out what is BLATANTLY obvious, which is that it goes every direction. It is not just one group against the other. Your choice to single out the nonbelievers says a lot about you.
As far as "respecting" what others believe, virtually nobody means this when they say it. They just think it sounds nice. The reality is a lot of people believe a lot of terrible things. I do not think it is OK for people to believe a woman must be stoned to death for allegedly cheating on her husband, as happens in some cultures. I do not think it is OK to kill others who don't believe in the same god the same way you do, as many believe.
I consider myself open-minded in that I am willing to listen to other points of view and am open to change my own understanding of the things we come across in life. That does not mean I must accept all beliefs or be nice to everyone. . I do not grant you automatic respect for your beliefs simply because they are your beliefs.

Answer 7

I'm sure you will get answers that will say that it's the Christian that does the bashing. You will probably get answers that say it's the Christian that wants the others to shut them up, they shouldn't have freedom of speech, and that Christians are rude and closed minded. Let me ask a few questions. If these others respect a Christians rights and as being equals. Why is it that evolution IS taught in schools and NOT creation? Why is prayer NOT allowed in some public schools yet handing out condoms IS approved? Where does that put our values? Prayer to ones God is PROHIBITED but 6th grade kids having resources to have sex is freely GIVEN to them? Wow! Why is are attempts being made that the real reason for Christmas (the birth of Christ , hence the name CHRISTmas) to be OUTLAWED in public places but Santa is to be APPROVED? I'm not against any US President, I honor them. But why are Christian paintings and the 10 commandments, etc. being taken AWAY from public view but paintings/photos/quotes of President KEPT up? Some want "In God We Trust". "One Nation Under God" taken OFF of our motto's but everything else REMAIN? Look at the record of the ACLU-American Civil Liberties Union Over the past several years they have voted or spoken IN FAVOR of all ANTI-Christian issues but voted AGAINST Christian issues. Who's civil liberties are they representing? Is it all, or just non-Christian? Why don't American Christians have the same civil liberties as other Americans? Is it because of separation of Church and State? I don't think that's the real reason. I don't see Christians wanting evolution, not desiring to pray, displays of Santa, snowmen etc., Presidents pictures, other wording of motto's TAKEN AWAY. I feel that Christians desire their equal rights, freedom of speech, to be HONORED too.

Answer 8

i think you may need to change your profile wording as this no longer applies to you.

The fact is non believers can cope with an argument and don't go off in a hissy fit like Christians if the answer doesn't suit.

All the reporting trolls on here are the religious ones that can't hack a good debate, stay off if you don't like it and maybe try the gardening section.

i don't care if i get reported it will just prove a point!

Answer 9

Please don't stop them from bashing Christians here. I live in America, too, and I am hard put to find religious persecution here. Jesus said "blessed are the persecuted for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven" and many other such sayings.
That's why I come here. To be bashed so I can prove to God I am worthy of His Kingdom. I mean, where else in America can I get persecuted? My friends no longer call me 'a fruitcake' alto sometimes my family does.

Actually, my daughter calls me a fruitcake often and I thank God for that.

Answer 10

Re: Christian bashing:
In our Politically Correct society, it is OPEN SEASON on Christians, men in general, white men in specific, straight white men, and particularly anyone with a last name that might have originated anywhere in Great Britain--or any combination of the above.
On the other hand, you are NOT allowed to express an opinion that might refer to gender [except as above], colour [except as above], ethnicity [except as above], sexual 'orientation', ability, or any of a number of supposed "rights" which most people claim to have.
Personally, I think those who bash others in this way are cowards who are so sucked in by the lowest-common-denominator popular culture [or lack thereof] that they don't have an original thought, idea or opinion.