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What if the person with the opinion also sincerely believed that his position was not bigoted and was not denying anyone happiness? Supporters of slavery used

What if the person with the opinion also sincerely believed that his position was not bigoted and was not denying anyone happiness? Supporters of slavery used the Bible to justify their beliefs. They did not believe it was about bigotry. They thought slavery was in fact providing economic opportunity to slaves, and they believed their own livelihood depended upon it. Supporters of slavery thought about it in economic and religious terms. If the CEO of my workplace believes in slavery but truly doesn't believe it is immoral, do I not have the right to speak out? If you believe in slavery or nazism, that's fine. You're allowed to believe in those things. But we are allowed to express that you are wrong for holding those beliefs, and we can choose whether or not we support bigoted viewpoints by purchasing your products. Using one's right to free speech to oppose bigoted speech is not impeding anybody's rights.

stcredzero 13y ago
But does "opposing speech" have to include getting someone fired for something they did 6 years ago? Opposing speech in an open democratic society shouldn't have the effect of oppressing the speech of others -- even if such actions are technically legal. Otherwise, it becomes the "open democratic society for the people whose opinions I like." Using one's right to free speech to oppose bigoted speech is not impeding anybody's rights. This is technically true, but the way such an idea was applied in this case lacks something of the spirit of free speech in a truly tolerant and open society.
- ChrisGaudreau 13y ago
  Well, he didn't say he regrets his actions from 6 years ago. It's kind of like adultery. If I cheated on you 6 years ago but never apologized for it or expressed regret for it, should you feel comfortable with me today? What if I wasn't clear about whether I believe adultery is okay? What if I wasn't clear about whether I am still committing adultery? The beliefs he holds are still current, as far as anyone can tell. If they aren't, I'm sure he would have said so. This is technically true, but the way such an idea was applied in this case lacks something of the spirit of free speech in a truly tolerant and open society. Yeah, some gay rights activists were a bit over the top and maybe should try a bit harder to understand the other side. But it is an emotional issue. If I feel that somebody is trying to use the might of the government to take away my rights, it's going to be difficult to sympathize with and understand why they would do that.

stcredzero 13y ago

But does "opposing speech" have to include getting someone fired for something they did 6 years ago? Opposing speech in an open democratic society shouldn't have the effect of oppressing the speech of others -- even if such actions are technically legal. Otherwise, it becomes the "open democratic society for the people whose opinions I like." Using one's right to free speech to oppose bigoted speech is not impeding anybody's rights. This is technically true, but the way such an idea was applied in this case lacks something of the spirit of free speech in a truly tolerant and open society.

ChrisGaudreau 13y ago
Well, he didn't say he regrets his actions from 6 years ago. It's kind of like adultery. If I cheated on you 6 years ago but never apologized for it or expressed regret for it, should you feel comfortable with me today? What if I wasn't clear about whether I believe adultery is okay? What if I wasn't clear about whether I am still committing adultery? The beliefs he holds are still current, as far as anyone can tell. If they aren't, I'm sure he would have said so. This is technically true, but the way such an idea was applied in this case lacks something of the spirit of free speech in a truly tolerant and open society. Yeah, some gay rights activists were a bit over the top and maybe should try a bit harder to understand the other side. But it is an emotional issue. If I feel that somebody is trying to use the might of the government to take away my rights, it's going to be difficult to sympathize with and understand why they would do that.