Is There Such a Thing As Freedom Of Speech?

**Mustafa2012** · 09-14-2012

Assalaamu alaykum,

I thought it might be useful for you guys to read this article in BBC News today.

"A teenager has been found guilty of posting an offensive Facebook message following the deaths of six British soldiers in Afghanistan."

Search the article on Google. Since I'm still new I can't post links yet.

If you think such a thing as freedom of speech exists then you're wrong.

The truth is that it only exists if it suits the needs of the country you live in or certain governments. In most cases this will be a non-muslim government.

If it doesn't suit their needs then you can kiss your freedom of speech goodbye because it's a one sided freedom that is there to serve the laws of the country you live in just like the U.N.

For e.g. let's take Jews and The Holocaust. If anyone tries to deny The Holocaust then it's considered a crime in many countries. That's a special privilege they get for the "huge helping hand" they provide to the world.

Yet if any the sacred history of any other religion is denied or questioned like the recent Channel 4 Documentary, then it's not considered a crime. That's "Freedom of Speech".

Another is example this forum or any publicly open forum or message board.

Do you think that just because this is a Islamic Forum that only muslims or average citizens are are reading these posts?

Do you think you can exercise your freedom of speech on a forum like this?

Think again. For every member there's around 10 guests.

I guarantee you, there are people who are paid full time to monitor every post on public forums like these and other forums and popular social networks.

After all how do you think the guy above got found out?

Every word you type is monitored. Anything you say that is mildly worrying to Uncle Sam is noted down including your IP address and everything else.

You think I'm paranoid? It's time you woke up to the reality of public forums!

Just be careful and watch what you say in public.

Don't give people an excuse to take away your freedoms.

**Pygoscelis** · 05-16-2013

Originally Posted by glo

But I always struggle with why somebody should wish to say or do something which they know will cause offense to other people. No matter how valid the point they are trying to make is - can't they find a less offensive way of making it?

Sometimes there is. Sometimes there really isn't. Note how it isn't just the nasty cartoons of the prophet with a bomb on his head that get ire (those deserve ire) but also cartoons like Jesus & Mo, which make jokes about religion, rarely actually attacking either of the prophets, but merely depicting them.

Also, I would agree that as a matter of decency and politeness, we should make an effort to make our points and criticisms as least offensive as possible, but that shouldn't be made a legal requirement. We should not forced to walk on eggshells around unreasonably sensitive people. And we certainly should not be banned from criticizing what they hold dear, especially if we ourselves find it offensive or dangerous.

People simply need a thicker skin, especially if they themselves go around saying aggressive and offensive things, such as endorsing and worshiping deities they claim to hurt or punish or torture others simply for not following them, or calling them abominations for their sexual preferences, etc.

I find the proper reaction to offensive speech to be either to ignore it or to speak against it and expose it for the garbage that it is. But if people instead react to it with violence, then it will quickly become far better heard, and it becomes imperative that it DOES get heard, so that violence does not get rewarded.

I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it, unless it promotes violence, etc.

**glo** · 05-16-2013

Pygo, I can pretty much agree with your post.
Living with an outspoken atheist, my skin is fairly thick. LOL

I quite like Jesus & Mo too - they can be quite thought-provoking, actually. I think sometimes we do well to listen to those outside our own faith, because they have the ability to see things with fresh eyes and point out a few home truths about our behaviours and attitudes. Sometimes those 'non-believing prophets' make very clear criticisms and good points ... if only we are open and honest enough to listen!

Still, I find it really hard when people take the p*** and resort to ridicule.
Sit me down for an honest discussion any time and I will listen, ridicule my faith which is so important and beautiful to me and I will just shut off ...