Revolution

[Nickman]

Many Christians have claimed that the US constitution is a work of god. Would a Revolution against it for a better government be a sin against god's established law? Lets say that our government in the USA becomes a Christian based government. Would it be heretical to oppose it? Think back to King Geaorge before you answer.

[WinePusher]

Free speech, in my opinion, is one of the world's most overrated concepts. Why should one have the right to say things that are only intended to attack, belittle, hurt, or harass others? Why, for instance, should the Westboro Baptist Church have the right to picket funerals, or neo-Nazi groups have the right to call for a second Holocaust?

I'm not surprised that you think free speech is overrated. Don't you also oppose Capitalism (the most free economic system) and support Socialism (the most unfree economic system)? You seem to be consistently opposed to freedom.

But the real question is why should you or anyone else have the power to silence speech you disagree with. I don't agree with the speech coming out of the Westboro Baptist Church, but that doesn't mean I have the right to silence them from expressing their opinions even if I may disagree with their opinions. The reason why they have the right to do what they do is because our government is mandated to gurantee and protect free speech, not to limit or sanction it.

[dianaiad]

Free speech, in my opinion, is one of the world's most overrated concepts. Why should one have the right to say things that are only intended to attack, belittle, hurt, or harass others? Why, for instance, should the Westboro Baptist Church have the right to picket funerals, or neo-Nazi groups have the right to call for a second Holocaust?

.....and this, in a nutshell, explains the reason the IRS got away with targeting Conservative groups for so long.

[Haven]

Free speech, in my opinion, is one of the world's most overrated concepts. Why should one have the right to say things that are only intended to attack, belittle, hurt, or harass others? Why, for instance, should the Westboro Baptist Church have the right to picket funerals, or neo-Nazi groups have the right to call for a second Holocaust?

I'm not surprised that you think free speech is overrated. Don't you also oppose Capitalism (the most free economic system) and support Socialism (the most unfree economic system)? You seem to be consistently opposed to freedom.

I used to be a pretty staunch Marxist socialist, but I've been sort of drifting away from that viewpoint. My views on economics and politics are still evolving.

I do think that many Americans have an unhealthy obsession with freedom, however. Yes, freedom is important, but it shouldn't be placed above community, human dignity, or social order. One's freedom ends where another's dignity begins.

But the real question is why should you or anyone else have the power to silence speech you disagree with. I don't agree with the speech coming out of the Westboro Baptist Church, but that doesn't mean I have the right to silence them from expressing their opinions even if I may disagree with their opinions. The reason why they have the right to do what they do is because our government is mandated to gurantee and protect free speech, not to limit or sanction it.

People should not have the right to use speech for the purpose of hating or harassing others. Canada figured this out, I only wish the US would do the same.

[dianaiad]

Free speech, in my opinion, is one of the world's most overrated concepts. Why should one have the right to say things that are only intended to attack, belittle, hurt, or harass others? Why, for instance, should the Westboro Baptist Church have the right to picket funerals, or neo-Nazi groups have the right to call for a second Holocaust?

I'm not surprised that you think free speech is overrated. Don't you also oppose Capitalism (the most free economic system) and support Socialism (the most unfree economic system)? You seem to be consistently opposed to freedom.

I used to be a pretty staunch Marxist socialist, but I've been sort of drifting away from that viewpoint. My views on economics and politics are still evolving.

I do think that many Americans have an unhealthy obsession with freedom, however. Yes, freedom is important, but it shouldn't be placed above community, human dignity, or social order. One's freedom ends where another's dignity begins.

Who gets to define where your freedom interferes with my dignity?

"Dignity" is such an amorphous, subjective term. I prefer the one that goes "your freedom to act ends where my nose begins."

....and and there is no such thing as an 'unhealthy obsession' with FREEDOM. What astounds me here is that someone who wants to put community and social order ahead of all things is so dismissive of the dignity of a culture that emphasizes individual human freedom over political correctness.

[McCulloch]

To be sure, no mater how the Founding Fathers rationalized it or the subsequent apologists for Christianity twisted it, the American Revolution was a revolution against the principles expounded by the writers of the New Testament. Taxation without Representation is tacitly approved of and never argued against in the New Testament. The consent of the governed, an enlightenment ideal, is never taught in the Scriptures. Quite the opposite, the Divine Right of Kings is taught in the New Testament. In fact, violent revolution against even an evil master or government is prohibited. The American Declaration of Independence read carefully is almost wholly and completely against Christian doctrine.