Quran Burning in Florida church

[Des]

I think Peter Tatchell got it just about right on Newsnight - the Pastor has every right to express his disapproval of Islam but should excercise some caution because of the effects it will have around the world in terms of whipping up violence.

I don't like 'radical' Islam any more than I do fundamentalist Christianity. Both are totally at odds with progressive political thought. But my libertarian instincts tell me people should be free to believe in what they want even if they are misguided, and conversely if you want to critique Islam or Christianity you should be free to do so. The Pastor's plans are just pointless in my view as the consequences will lead to violence around the world.

[Dayna]

Sometime freedom of speech doesn't make comlete sense. You're not allowed to yell fire in a building or bomb on a plane because it's dangerous to others. Why can't this be veiwed the same?

[Des]

Sometime freedom of speech doesn't make comlete sense. You're not allowed to yell fire in a building or bomb on a plane because it's dangerous to others. Why can't this be veiwed the same?

An excellent point Dayna. I think that free speech is a human right but incitement to violence is not.

I suppose as an atheist I must describe myself as an Islamophobe, but that doesn't mean I hate people who believe in Allah, likewise with Christians, Hindus, buddhists etc. I am happy to tolerate such beliefs as long as I am equally free to criticise them. The Pastor has overstepped the mark, I think, by yelling 'fire'.

[Adam Blake]

Quite agree, Dayna.

[Dayna]

I suppose as an atheist I must describe myself as an Islamophobe, but that doesn't mean I hate people who believe in Allah, likewise with Christians, Hindus, buddhists etc. I am happy to tolerate such beliefs as long as I am equally free to criticise them. The Pastor has overstepped the mark, I think, by yelling 'fire'.

There's always going to be someone in every group that makes the others look bad.


I guess that's the saying. "There's an a** in every crowd."