Speak your mind on anything—Support free expression

Do you think there are topics you shouldn't be allowed to discuss? Some governments and institutions, and sadly even some individuals, want to keep certain topics off limits. This is especially true of religious topics. Discussion of religious beliefs is discouraged, even punished. But we can't come to our own conclusions about religious beliefs unless we can freely examine and discuss such beliefs. As this video from the Center for Inquiry illustrates, prohibiting discussion of certain subjects is absurd and violates our right to express our views.

http://www.centerforinquiry.net/newsroom/center_for_inquiry_launches_campaign...

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• secularism
• free
• expression
• blashpemy
• first
• ammendment
• speech
• dissent

[chrismca]

I don't see how the right to religion is hurt by examination. Rather the membership in some religions might diminish as they are found wanting.

This would seem to be more of a demographic issue than one of inherent rights.

What do you think?

[SilverAleph]

The Free Advice Man is FREEEEE!

More Talk Less Killing! More Listening Less Hate! More Reasoning Less Ignorance! Free Advice...do it!

[H5LL2O25]

I responded because your original comment made me think. I appreciate that.

The "unexamined life" quip comes from an ancient philosopher (who's name eludes me) who intended it as a justification for philosophy as a worthwhile discipline.

Critical examination isn't necessarily criticism. It's looking at something as objectively as possible.

My opinion is that welcoming free and objective examination is a great feature for any fundamental right to possess.

[bcosten2007]

That's a pretty good reply. Along the lines of being complex enough and well thought out enough that I enjoyed reading it.

I would say that an unexamined life is not worth living unless one changes later in life and does examine the beliefs they hold to be 'true'.

That freedom of expression can stand up to and be strengthened by critical thought is heartening. So surviving criticism is a condition of a fundamental right?

Thanks for your reply.

[H5LL2O25]

Ok, let's suppose that expression is a fundamental right of humans. This right does not suffer if expression itself is critically examined - in fact it becomes stronger for having been discussed openly.

Now let's suppose that religion is a fundamental right of humans. It seems that this right suffers greatly if religion itself is critically examined.

If an unexamined life is one not worth living, is a fundamental right that condemns critical examination of itself one not worth preserving?

[bcosten2007]

Isn't the protection of freedom of expression an idea just as much as the protection of religion is an idea? Unless you're arguing that expression is a fundamental right of humans, but then religious people could make the same argument, that their religion is fundamental part of their being.

[JRBendixen]

There is something wrong with the sound on the video. Maybe you should get some better equipment.

[DeepSpaceBeans]

I got a chuckle out of Debbie talking about wolverine.

[a300pilotster]

Glad to see this type vid. Proud member of CFI DC.

[canadiangirl85]

I disagree with you, but I support your right to have that opinion and express it freely.