> speech free of governmental prosecution Precisely. People have created all kinds of imaginary meanings attached to "freedom of speech" that clearly have not

> speech free of governmental prosecution Precisely. People have created all kinds of imaginary meanings attached to "freedom of speech" that clearly have nothing whatsoever to do with reality. BTW, it sounds like what you went through wasn't, to put it mildly, pleasant at all. This is why I don't think a monochromatic culture (in all possible senses of that might represent, racial, cultural, ideological, educational, etc.) is good for society. People have similar experiences --at different levels of intensity-- across a range of monocultural communities. For example, I know people whos careers were destroyed by being openly religious in the context of overwhelmingly leftist industry/company. Given the extreme levels of polarization today, as an atheist and Classical Liberal myself, sometimes I feel it is hard to find good fit anywhere. Sometimes it is much easier and healthier to shut up and let people be the kind of bigot they choose to be. The good news is that societies and cultures mix and become more tolerant over time. I have had the experience of being invited to attend service at a large-ish evangelical church with a small group of atheists. We were welcome, the conversations were interesting and framed in respect. That's progress. The bad news is, well, it takes time.