all of a sudden if someone speaks out using factual information its is slammed as offensive - so are we still free to speak our minds here?
2007-11-29 19:22:17 · 21 answers · asked by tkf57 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
No - we are not. You cannot have a straight forward discussion or a debate anywhere now on race, creed, colour, culture or religion without someone who is not particularly erudite calling the 'whatever' card! This actually adds to tension instead of lessening it. I do not believe that insulting people is good but i do believe that talking and discussing things together leads to better social harmony and understanding. Unfortunately the thought police can't stomach that - it would interfere with their powers.
2007-11-29 19:36:16 · answer #1 · answered by Helen S 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋
yes, we do have freedom of speech. as other posters have mentioned, this does not mean that you should expect to express your opinion without criticism or without anyone disagreeing with you - that would be denying them freedom of speech...
there are always limitations to every right - if expressing your views could cause another harm (ie inciting another to violence) then you do not have any rights - and perhaps we should pause to think about the other side of the balance too: in a society which is increasingly concerned with 'me', we should consider that we do not only have rights, but also obligations...
look at it this way, if you have right of way on the road and insist on taking it, knowing full well that in doing so you will run over a cyclist who hasn't noticed you are there, you may with some slight justification be able to claim that you were right and they were wrong, but surely in your heart you would know that to be untrue...
2007-11-30 07:32:33 · answer #2 · answered by vetaler 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Freedom of speech should not be confused with freedom from criticism. If you say something and somebody disagrees they have the right to say so as well.
When you are imprisoned for saying what you want that is when your freedom of speech disappears.
That said - there will always be limits placed on freedom of speech. Advocating violence, extreme pornography and slander/libel have for a long time been restricted.
But saying something "factual" does not preserve you from having someone express an alternative point of view.
2007-11-30 03:43:23 · answer #3 · answered by Sageandscholar 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Well if it wasn't you could go to jail for saying that!
We are still free to speak our minds here - but that means others can express a differing opinion too! Doesn't take away your freedom to say it in the first place!
2007-11-30 04:00:26 · answer #4 · answered by libbyft 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You are free to speak your mind. One part of having the right of freedom of speech is the fact that some people will be offended. Can't do anything about that. Besides, it's not your problem, it's theirs.
2007-11-30 03:31:21 · answer #5 · answered by Richard B 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
No
Try standing in your local shopping centre open space and having a go at muslims,gays or ethnic groups...see how long it would be before you get arrested.
That's fair enough...that can be construed as incitement to riot or hatred.
But it's become so bad in the UK that we are afraid of upsetting anyone.....even if it's true!
Everyone should have the right to say what they think or feel as long as it wont lead to major upheaval of society.
2007-11-30 06:55:02 · answer #6 · answered by AdelleStevens 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I notice you called it Britain instead of Great Britain. Maybe it isn't so great anymore since you gave away Hong Kong.
2007-11-30 03:31:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are free to speak your minds as long as it doesn't encite others to commit violent acts.
2007-11-30 03:25:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
You`ve just proved it.
2007-11-30 06:32:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not if the thumbs down on here are anything to go by
2007-11-30 03:28:53 · answer #10 · answered by snikleback 5 · 1⤊ 4⤋