What Happened to Free Speech?

Let me preface my remarks with a quick statement: I do not endorse hate-filled rhetoric of any kind be it anti-religious, racist, overly religious, or any other form of hate. However, I have seen a strange trend recently in the treatment of "free" speech and the different definitions that we tend to employ of it.

First of all, there are the highly liberal people who decry all things contrary to their opinions. This includes opinions on gay marriage, government, health care, and other things. Anything against their opinion is called "uneducated", "stupid", "bigoted", or anything else. Mind you, most of this experience comes from the highly liberal internet message boards, where most things are decried as foul and wrong. I will never understand why people must decide that other people have no idea what they are talking about, especially when we are talking about opinions. Don't call someone intolerant who simply does not want other people's lives to interfere with theirs. Tolerance is exactly that: live and let live. It's not acceptance of everyone else's ideals or opinions. Its not even agreeing with others -- its more of an allowance of opinion.

Internet flamewars are all too common. So many people call religious people "stupid" or "blind", not understanding how they can believe in something that cannot be seen. The reality is that there is nothing wrong with religion, in any form. Taken to the extreme, it can be very detrimental and cause many problems. However, for the most part, it just involves people living and being happy, finding their own way to express themselves and obtain happiness. Is that so bad?

I've noticed a disturbing trend that decries all conservative talk as hateful or uneducated. People seem to think that to have a real opinion, it has to be against the political mold or against mainstream society. Anything that expresses an opinion contrary to gay marriage, or to socialized healthcare is often referred to as stupid, or simply intolerant. The reality is that they have their opinions. They are well entitled to write and express what they feel. Does this mean that I agree? No. Does this mean that I am entitled to rip them apart and call them stupid? No. Once again, when it becomes hate-filled and violent, that is terrible and inappropriate. However, conservatives are just as entitled as anyone to their opinions on government, political candidates, mainstream society and economics. Everyone, on both sides of the political spectrum, has messed up thousands of time.

It is my sincere hope that we can allow everyone to have their opinion. Free speech is not speech without consequences, but we should all be willing to allow others to have their opinions stated without flaming or attacking. If someone thinks differently than you, take their opinion into consideration and evaluate it for its merits. Sometimes you'll find that they make more sense than you do. Let me offer 3 suggestions:

1. Research. When someone expresses something you don't agree with, don't jump on the flamewar bandwagon. Research the opinion. Look at the author's resources. Read through point and counterpoint. Evaluate the argument objectively, finding the strengths and weaknesses.
2. Think before you comment. When we read something that we disagree with, our natural reaction is to immediately comment. However, I think it is good to let it marinate. Sit back, relax, research (see step 1), think, ponder, meditate -- don't just flame. Find a way to contribute to the conversation. Don't just hate.
3. Write clearly and contribute healthily. When you write a counterpoint, don't call the other person out by swearing, or by calling them an idiot. Write legibly, and consistently. Find a way to express yourself without hate, without inflammatory phrases. Countering hateful rhetoric with more hateful rhetoric is not a solution and does not help -- it tends to prove the author's point. If you really want to counter an argument, make sure that you know what you are talking about and express it clearly enough that people can see your logic. Then leave it up to others to decide. Don't argue more by responding to inflammatory posts, it will just make you angry.

I think if we can use some of these plans, we'll see more productive comment sections, and find more value in the internet forums we participate in.

Leave comments in the designated area.