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> Does your right to spout hate speech about my religion infringe on my right to freely and safely practice my religion? Does your right to criticize my religi

> Does your right to spout hate speech about my religion infringe on my right to freely and safely practice my religion? Does your right to criticize my religion infringe on my right to freely and safely practice my religion? No. Even if the criticism is harsh, even hateful. I find this a particularly curious example, because there's a long history of criticism of religion, from Nietzsche to Dawkins, much of it harsh, even hateful. I'm not aware of any countries that ban these writers, though apparently Dawkins got cancelled for also applying his criticism to islam. And what if your religion itself entails beliefs that makes other people, such as women or homosexuals, fear for their rights? Then they are not allowed to hate on your religion, because that makes you fear for your freedom of religion?

slg 6y ago
We aren't talking about "criticism". I am not asking for laws on blasphemy. I am asking for laws on hate speech. It is legal in the US to say that all Muslims are terrorists that deserve to be shot with bullets dipped in pig's blood. How would you feel hearing that if you were a Muslim? Would you feel that you could safely and openly practice your religion?
- amadeuspagel 6y ago
  > We aren't talking about "criticism". I am not asking for laws on blasphemy. I am asking for laws on hate speech. You say this as if these are clearly defined categories. Take the charlie hebdo cartoons: Criticism, blasphemy or hate speech? At any rate, your argument applies even to criticism. Criticism can lead people to infringe on your freedom of religion.
  - slg 6y ago
    What is the line between criticism and slander? Why can we draw that line when dealing with individuals but it is impossible to define categories when dealing with groups of people?
    - amadeuspagel 6y ago
      We can't draw that line when dealing with individuals either. Laws against libel and slander should not exist.

slg 6y ago

We aren't talking about "criticism". I am not asking for laws on blasphemy. I am asking for laws on hate speech. It is legal in the US to say that all Muslims are terrorists that deserve to be shot with bullets dipped in pig's blood. How would you feel hearing that if you were a Muslim? Would you feel that you could safely and openly practice your religion?

amadeuspagel 6y ago
> We aren't talking about "criticism". I am not asking for laws on blasphemy. I am asking for laws on hate speech. You say this as if these are clearly defined categories. Take the charlie hebdo cartoons: Criticism, blasphemy or hate speech? At any rate, your argument applies even to criticism. Criticism can lead people to infringe on your freedom of religion.
- slg 6y ago
  What is the line between criticism and slander? Why can we draw that line when dealing with individuals but it is impossible to define categories when dealing with groups of people?
  - amadeuspagel 6y ago
    We can't draw that line when dealing with individuals either. Laws against libel and slander should not exist.