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A woman named Clare Booth Luce said, “Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but, unlike charity, it should end there.”
It’s a good philosophy, and one we could all adopt—there’s no need to allow things to which you object into your homes, but there’s no need to try to say the world at large should be disallowed to have them. But sometimes censorship seems so reasonable that some of us accept it, or even encourage it.
Take for example the recent conflicts revolving around papers in Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain publishing a series of cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad. The newspaper France Soir first stated that it choose to print the cartoons “to show ‘religious dogma’ had no place in a secular society”, but after the riots erupted they sacked their managing editor.
Having reviewed the cartoons in question, I do feel like they are in poor taste—the story of Muhammad universally tell of a man didn’t ostracize other faiths, but rather told he was sent by god to complete the teachings—but are crass cartoons enough to fire people, start riots, and set fire to things? If you don’t like it, I say, you can retaliate in kind: write a letter or publish a cartoon. Don’t let it in your home. Don’t censor it.
Censorship is the act of cowards.
Every book that’s ever been banned contains an idea that someone doesn’t want you to know. Some, like The Chocolate War might provoke a junior high school kid to question authority, or like Harry Potter might promote an occult, or even worse, Captain Underpants for being a bad influence. Someone has challenged all these books, and more, these challenges have come in the last twenty years.
We live in an age where censorship is striving to take root. Certain factions of Islam try to quash cartoons, television media play “live” events with a delay for fear of a conservative Christian might see a nipple (as if there’s no difference between nudity and pornography), or a dissident might rally the people against an unjust law.
Librarians have always been the loudest voice against censorship; they know the value of a good book. Thus it is the American Library Association (ALA) who has taken up the charge against the banning of books, and the warhead of their attack is “Read Banned Books Week”.
For 2006, Read Banned Books Week is 23-30 September, and the idea is to use this week to embrace that what others would take away. Grab a book where they write about nudity, or thinking independently, cursing, cussing, or a harmless flight of fancy that can be mistaken for consort with the devil, and revel in ideas.
Rebellions are brought about by realization that there are better ways—ideas that incomplete governments manned by inadequate people don’t want you to have. In 2003, the US Constitution was banned in Cuba. Governments hate well-informed people, and I say we should help piss them off.
Buy a banned book:
Of Mice and Men
The Chocolate War
1984
Related links:
Banned Book Week
The Banned Cartoon of Muhammad
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It’s been my observation that most of the people that are censoring advocates and scream bloody murder of the tiniest risque issue in popular culture are the same people that would be the greatest offendors.
Thanks to the patroit act, our rights to privacy and just kind of be weird on our own terms is dying without a word. Our Goverment is becoming more Socialistic and Orwellian with every day. In Michigan, where your average pack of cigarettes cost upwards of $5, children are being encouraged to report their parent for ordering cigarettes online (thus avoiding a mulitude of taxes). This is a senario taken directly from George Orwell’s 1984. If more of Michigans citzens read the book (or at least understood how the plot is becoming their lives), Big Brother would not be such a presnce in their lives (and pocketbooks for that matter).
Read Banned Books
Remember: Every crime that has ever been commited has been an act of freedom.
Now, this isn’t exactly in line with this thread, but I’ve been kind of itching to say it…
I spent two years among the Norwegians. Now look, the Norwegians are great folks (I happen to be descended from one not too far back)– they were the original environmentalists, have a rich heritage and literature with an imbedded sense of humor, and have nearly 100% literacy rates– and a humongous Web presence, so I’m sure they’re listening. But my impression was that some were a tad xenophobic, especially the conservative and/or older people. And nowhere was this xenophobia more focused than on Muslims.
Danish society is likely similar (Norway being a subject state of Denmark until relatively recent history). So it’s not too surprising to me that a Dane might draw an unflattering cartoon of the beloved Prophet of Islam.
I’m guessing that if someone got a less-enlightened Dane to confess while drunk or hypnotized, their stereotype of a Muslim might go like this: dirty, dangerous fanatical lunatics. This is, of course, incorrect. After all, Islam (literally, “The Submission”, meaning submission to God) is a religion of The Book, meaning that they share at least five books of scripture with Judaism and Christianity, and professes the same basic teachings : love, hospitality, tolerance, and piety.
Of course, this is a very broad statement; there are at least as many sects of Islam as there are of Christianity, and likewise, a handful give the rest a bad name. (Hey, I have strong religious-based beliefs about sexuality– but I’m ashamed of folks who tote signs saying “God Hates F*gs”.)
So this was the big chance: the time for all Muslims to show the Danes that they are God’s Chosen, that they can be bigger than petty insults, and that the stereotype of Muslim=Terrorist is all wrong.
Well, THEY BLEW IT. Agreed, it was probably a small percentage giving the rest a bad name, but man did they confirm the stereotype. Killing people over cartoons. Just repeat that to yourself a few times. This is insanity itself.
Hey, if a Saudi or Iranian newspaper had a strip of Jesus with a machine gun, I might feel angry– I might even ask for an apology– but I wouldn’t KILL anyone. After all, what would Jesus do? Forgive promptly, of course.
So ask yourself: WWMD? As one Muslim in Norway said to me (as near as I recall), “When we proselyte, the Christians invite us in, and we have a discussion. But when a Christian comes to us, we invite them in– and always give them coffee, because that is the hospitality that God expects of us. So the Chrisitian gives us a discussion, but when they come to our door, they get a discussion and coffee.”
-bjl
Stick it to The Man – Read a book.
i have to agree Censorship should end at home however in this day and age that is harder than you would think look around you to “protect” a child from all the bad influences in the world you would have to cut off the phone tv and even the radio no internet no computer at all. and if the child went out they would be blind folded and would have to cover their ears all day so they can’t see any ads that society now acepts but never used to and they can’t hear cause oh no some one might sware……
the battle is lost give it up i know that when a particular game came out it fetured sceans that were ‘in bad taste’ to say the least but when this game was taken back changed and re relesed people dident buy it because it wasen’t as fun now the company probly lost millions in sales due to this just to keep the critics happy and look what happened. no the war of censorship was lost long ago but it will still be a long time untill people see it and longer still untill they giive up, but untill that time who cares.
if you wanna play it, play it. if you want to watch it, watch it. if you want to read it by all means dispite being baned i’m sure you can get it and read it so read it. that is the nature of life to piss thow off who say it can’t, shoulden’t or won’t be done only you control your life so do it any way.
It always amuses me when I read comments of people who are worked up about “censorship.” That the library people should be at the forefront of defending against “banned books” is equally silly. No library buys every book which is published (with a few exceptions), hence someone in every library has the duty of “censoring” books on the list of those available, buying those they deem worthy and rejecting those not. Everyone has their own preferences as to what should be on the library shelves but obviously the library people feel that their preferences are the very best. Why don’t they just admit that they prefer their own censorship and won’t listen to anyone else? Clearly they have the power to just be honest about it.
damn interesting = damn boring
As if anyone cares about personal thoughts for ongoing current events.
What difference is the above article compared to the many thousands of blog pages where people post their own personal opinions?
What happened to the cool articles about nature, mystery, science, etc.?
Orwell’s 1984 is banned in the USA ?! That is outrageous!
I also agree with Bryan Lowder’s statements. Muslims blew it in the face of the whole cartoon scandal. Soheib Bencheikh, the former Mufti of Marseilles (France) and the current Director of the High Institute of Islamic Sciences (ISSI) would agree too as demonstrated in his public statement entitled, “A double ignorance of Islam and of freedom”.
Now I am sorry to stir a knife in an open wound but banning 1984 makes me think about the serious issues happenning in the USA today on breaching the ammendments of the constitution. Equally I will state that authorities in the USA are blowing it way out of the water with claims of upholding the freedoms that are dearest to every US citizen. The patriot act…please! Banning 1984! No harm done to anyone in particular but the deep symbolism of the act is food for thought. Luckily, there are enough laws protecting people’s rights in the USA that allows the ALA to declare a “read a banned book week”. This i applaud deeply.
The situation in the USA and the rest of the world is at best confusing. When, where, and how will it all be resolved? Is the current US administration going to be replaced and everything will be forgotten? Or will someone finally blow a whistle and declare scandal, thus allowing all of us to seriously assess the situation and learn from it? Will there be a central unified voice in the Muslim world that will finally be heard and accepted by the global community promoting the true word of Islam? I trully hope so. For we are in dire need of a sensible voice reaching out to the world both from the east and from the west.
It is about time someone cleaned up this whole mess.
“Hey, if a Saudi or Iranian newspaper had a strip of Jesus with a machine gun, I might feel angry– I might even ask for an apology– but I wouldn’t KILL anyone. After all, what would Jesus do? Forgive promptly, of course.”
I think you’ll find Jesus would do exactly the same as Mohammed: turn the other cheek. However, please don’t try to suggest that every Christian would simply forgive and let be. The supposedly Christian governments of the USA and UK seek vengeance in a totally unchristian manner every day around the world. I reject the idea of censorship for reasons of inciting racial unrest because to my mind the Bible and Koran are far more guilty of that than any cartoon.
indra c said: “Orwell’s 1984 is banned in the USA ?! That is outrageous!
No, it is not.
That’s it? Those are the cartoons that people are killing over?! Jeeesus Chri….oops, better not say that. Obviously this thread has touched many nerves. I have recently been involved, indirectly, in book banning. I taught for three years at a small, Baptist college in Central Louisiana, and only left because an extreme rightwing fundamentalist administration staged what amounted to a coup and took over. One of the first things they did was to ban The Road Less Travelled, and A Lesson Before Dying from use as supplemental materials in the Value Studies classes. They won’t say what their objections are, taking a ‘we know what’s best for you, so don’t you dare question us’ attitude. And Credhawk, while I see where you are coming from, I think there is a world of difference between a library with a limited budget trying to provide books that their patrons want to read, and governmental censorship.
phazeshifter: thanks for the info, but now i’m confused…
from the above article —>
“Buy a banned book:
Of Mice and Men – Violence, language, and promoting euthanasia.
The Chocolate War – Language and rebellion against authority.
1984 – Because it’s too like the Bush administration.”
This reads like it is banned.
OMG BUSH IS SUCH A TERRORIST I THINK HES THE ONE WHO REALLY FLEW THE PLANES ON SEPT 11 OMGWTFBBQSAUCE
get real people “1984 – Because it’s too like the Bush administration”
good article until that
Those books have been banned at times in the past.
What about books being banned now? Often these books are just denied publishing and the public hears little about it.
I could see how the strict control of the media in 1984 could be seen to parallel that exercised by the Bush administrations. Yet administrations of the past also exerted such controls. I think we’ve been giving up our freedoms in this country for a long time in order to live in a “safe” nation.
How about picking up a copy of “The Satanic Verses” by Salman Rushdie and reading it in public? Not only would that be a blow against censorship, but these days it might just be considered an act of personal bravery. You never know who might take offense.
That is, of course, if you can stand wading through a thoroughly mediocre read.
During The forty’s and fifties L’Union National was THE party in power in Quebec, a party that was hand in hand with the church. The priests would tell their congregations to vote UN (The colors of UN being blue and the liberal party red they would remind them that heaven is blue and hell is red), and then Duplessis would give huge powers to the church, such as making official, a list of church banned books (the little black book).
This, I need to remind you, happend in Canada a contry much vaunted for its support of free speech and human rights.
If it can happen to us, it can happen to anybody.
While I generally agree with the sentiments of the article, I also agree with Mr. Yawn: if I wanted commentary on current events, I wouldn’t be surfing here.
I agree with wh44 and Mr. Yawn – maybe not as “harsh” as Mr. Yawn , but I do think this article is a little bit boring, but still interesting none the less.
Just a slight plug – Freenet may help you get away from censorship :D.
If you think the Bush administration has anything in common with the Oceanian government in 1984, you need to either learn something about America or actually read the book 1984. Again, if necessary. And comparing the Bush admin to a 1984 scenario won’t exactly increase your credibility with anyone who understands the book.
wh44 said: “While I generally agree with the sentiments of the article, I also agree with Mr. Yawn: if I wanted commentary on current events, I wouldn’t be surfing here.”
Now that’s a petty comment. Can current events be interesting?
Do anyone know where can I read Banned papers of Christian Bible. I have heard that there are a banned version of Christian Bible which has more books (eg. Genesis, Exodus,…) than the one we have today.
Do anyone know where can I read Banned papers of Christian Bible. I have heard that there are a banned version of Christian Bible which has more books …
Look up the words Pseudepigrapha, Apocrypha, and “Gnostic Gospels” on Google. Here is an example link.
Stuart, of course you’re right. Plenty of Christians go directly against Christianity by killing for personal offence. And they would be exactly the ones targeted in the cartoon.
Mr. Yawn, please don’t go away. I promise that there will be lots of fascinating articles in the future.
I think Banned Books Week includes books that were banned somewhere for some period of time. I’m sure 1984 was one of them.
WARNING: BORING PERSONAL OPINION FOLLOWS
I’ve tried to give the Bush admin. the benefit of the doubt. I am sanguine, even callow about government. But the whole “give me Roman power of tyrrany because of the looming threat of TERRORISTS” sounds straight out of an Orwell book, I gotta admit.
Credhawk said: “Everyone has their own preferences as to what should be on the library shelves but obviously the library people feel that their preferences are the very best. Why don’t they just admit that they prefer their own censorship and won’t listen to anyone else?”
That hasn’t been my (admittedly limited) experience at all. In the small Kansas town where my grandmother was an English teacher and school librarian then yes, only books she deemed proper made the cut. But large public libraries and national organizations made up of librarians seem to believe, as do I, that if the public wants access to any given book then it should be available at a library. Obviously no municipal library can offer anywhere close to all available titles but when the decide which new books to order it’s not based on what they think you should read.
Regarding the argument against this article being interesting… I can’t disagree more. Sure, it’s an enlightening experience to discover the wonders of invention, medical marvels, space travel, and everything in between, but surely what’s happening right now, what affects everyone, can be considered ‘Damn Interesting’? It is our future, after all.
If I ever write a book, please, PLEASE, someone try to get it banned. Nothing can escalate sales like a good old fashioned book burning.
Maybe it doesn’t even matter. Ever see “Princess Bride”? Peter Falk says to Fred Savage something like “When I was a kid video games were called books”
about books –
While studying in the USA I heard that certain books would get you “red listed”. One in particular is, “The Anarchist Cook-Book”. Is this still true today? Is there actually a red list? What does it mean? What are the consequences of that?
Or was / is it a black list ?
I think the banned book list is any book that someone asked to have banned. I don’t think they were necessarily banned.
Eh, my accounts keep dissapearing.
Anyway since we are all such rebels , some banned ebooks would be good , right?
http://nw0.info/index.php?dir=eBooks%20and%20Documents/Banned_Books/ *
* if this is illegal please delete
oh and Im not a nazy child , just a third account.
Went to the link 3rdreich (what the hell kind of a name is that?!?! oh not a nazi child just a third account, still a little tasteless, i take these matters at heart so shoot me) and received this following message :
Bandwidth Limit Exceeded
The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later.
Apache/1.3.33 Server at http://www.nw0.info Port 80
Am starting to concoct a conspiracy theory here. But then again when i have no more sugar at home, i blame it on the chimera that lives with me and never submit to patience and introspection for answers.
Yeah the server is down because the link went public and all the *cough* information *cough* sites posted it.
Try next month. The books are really intresting, well some of them . But some are waaay out there, like a Manual To Build An Uzi…
That one is just a little illegal.
1984 is not only a good book it does have a good message too. The idea I found most interesting was that the governments in the books perpetuated war for their own means. Think about it. Also Orwell himself once rowed out of the biggest whirlpool in Europe, which means you have to read one of his books because that’s just fucking random.
Here’s some anarchist stuff if you want it. I would at least download ‘the anarchist tension’ if only to give yourself a grounding in the basic principles of Anarchy.
http://www.audioanarchy.org/
Tynan said: “If you think the Bush administration has anything in common with the Oceanian government in 1984, you need to either learn something about America or actually read the book 1984. Again, if necessary. And comparing the Bush admin to a 1984 scenario won’t exactly increase your credibility with anyone who understands the book.”
Can you honestly say that the PATRIOT act, domestic spying program, and a terrorist tipline to report your neighbors aren’t a step towards an oppressive totalitarian government? Another scary thought is that the technology in the book has been invented and improved.
I personally think Orwell would have been right on the money with the date, except that there was a massive “proletarian revolt” in the worlds largest superpower in the 1960’s. There were enough people saying F*** the man to stall “progress” for decades.
indra c said: “about books –
While studying in the USA I heard that certain books would get you “red listed”. One in particular is, “The Anarchist Cook-Book”. Is this still true today? Is there actually a red list? What does it mean? What are the consequences of that?”
I was informed that it was a felony (prison time) to possesthe Anarchist Cookbook. I don’t know how credible my source is. The book reportedly has recipes for, amongst other things, various drugs and explosives. I do oppose the banning of it, in principle anyway, but it is one of the few books that does fall under the terrorist literature section, and the government does have a good reason not to want people owning it. It is a how-to book on crime. Not to say I haven’t ever desired one.
Indra – I think you mean black listed or possibly even watch listed? Red listed is used to refer to animals that are endangered, but in some special way (I think it has to do with where they are endangered).
If you’re on a watch list (a post 9/11 invention) then you’re either a suspected of having terrorist ties or (more likely) some faceless justice department goon has decided you’re suspicious. In either case you are almost certainly being serveilled somehow.
There is no law that prevents a recognized adult from buying any published book in the United States, even if it is the Anarchist’s Cookbook. The Anarchist’s Cookbook was widely denounced when it came out, but it was still available if you knew where to look. In fact, in this day and age the content of the Anarchist’s Cookbook (which has never been updated) is so outdated that it’s basically useless. You can find it online for free, so have a look.
—-
The most annoying part about freedom of expression is it’s an all or nothing game, which means that even when the agitator is a disgustingly bigoted, politically partisan wank rag like Jyllands-Posten, and even if they meant their Mohammed cartoons to be as inflammatory and damaging as possible (they did), the rest of us still have to back them up.
Just remember, you’re not a jerk just because you defend a jerk.
IF YOU DIDN’T READ THE LAST PAGE OF 1984 IT SAYS ALL THE CHANGES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BY
2050!!!!!
THINK ABOUT HOW ACCURATE THAT DATE COULD BE, RE READ THE BOOK
Tynan said: “If you think the Bush administration has anything in common with the Oceanian government in 1984, you need to either learn something about America or actually read the book 1984. Again, if necessary. And comparing the Bush admin to a 1984 scenario won’t exactly increase your credibility with anyone who understands the book.”
pseudosanity said: “Can you honestly say that the PATRIOT act, domestic spying program, and a terrorist tipline to report your neighbors aren’t a step towards an oppressive totalitarian government? Another scary thought is that the technology in the book has been invented and improved.
I personally think Orwell would have been right on the money with the date, except that there was a massive “proletarian revolt” in the worlds largest superpower in the 1960’s. There were enough people saying F*** the man to stall “progress” for decades.
You all keep focusing on the book 1984. Now if you want an eye opening, heart pounding, truley frighting look at where we are headed here today, check out Mein Kampf.
http://www.hitler.org/writings/Mein_Kampf/
http://www.hitler.org/writings/Mein_Kampf/mkv2ch15.html
A shrewd victor will, if possible, always present his demands to the vanquished in installments. And then, with a nation that has lost its character-and this is the case of every one which voluntarily submits-he can be sure that it will not regard one more of these individual oppressions as an adequate reason for taking up arms again. ‘The more extortions are willingly accepted in this way, the more unjustified it strikes people finally to take up the defensive against a new, apparently isolated, though constantly recurring, oppression, especially when, all in all, so much more and greater misfortune has already been borne in patient silence.[end quote]
————————–
“Breathe deep in the gathering gloom
Watch lights fade from every room
Bedsitter people look back and lament
Another day’s useless energy’s spent
Impassioned lovers wrestle as one
Lonely man cries for love and has none
New mother picks up and suckles her son
Senior citizens wish they were young
Cold-hearted orb that rules the night
Removes the colors from our sight
Red is grey and yellow white
And we decide which is right
And which is an illusion?”[Knights In White Satin by: The Moody Blues]
Yeah this is deep and oh so 60ish, but this is the age of the death of our American Freedom as we have known it.
Wake up and notice what is going on people,as one wise man once said “Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.”
This one’s family has been in battle since Feb.2006
Can’t say much, but the battle is with a gov. office, and at least one family member has been in jail with NO hope of a reasonable bond for 5 months now, and another has been kidnapped by goverment officials and hidden away somewhere.
No, we have no connections with terrorest groups, religions, or anything of that nature. Just your average lower middle class Americans,with absolutly no past criminal history falsley accused and charged with a most heinous crime. It has been said by the prosecutors, judges, and attys., that due to the nature of the supposed crime, the accused has NO constitutional rights. He is guilty untill proven innocent. To prove this he has yet to be seen by a judge and allowed to plead not guilty; but the case has been heard by a Grand Jury, and they have indicted him on 4 counts of a crime never commited. His defense was not allowed in that proceeding. He will remain in jail at least untill Feb.2007 when schedulled for trial.
————-
Jason Bellows Says:”In 2003, the US Constitution was banned in Cuba. Governments hate well-informed people, and I say we should help piss them off.
—-
The constitution is in danger of being banned here in the US very soon.
Be careful about who you piss off,bad things happen to good people who mess with the powers that be; I know from bitter experiance.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
When I was in high school (1993-97) I bought the Anarchist Cookbook at my local bookstore. My mom found it when she searched my room and made me return it. My parents also found Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails CDs and my dad smashed them with a pick-axe. I read the classic novel “1984” as a requirement for an English class at my high school, which was a Jesuit college preparatory. Censorship is futile. If you’re going to censor “1984,” why not censor movies, like “Gattaca” or “Matrix.” I’m actually surprised that a powerful lobby hasn’t sprung up to control content on the Internet, like the PMRC. So far, there hasn’t been enough support behind it. But you can see them gathering their forces. Every time I turn on the TV, I see the same FUCKING Dateline special on Internet predators. They’re trying to build up enough fear to bring their censorship coils down around us. Of all media, the internet is the most free; let’s keep it that way, people!!!
I heard about ppl trying to ban Harry Potter which is absolutely rediculous. They say that it makes our kids want to start a cult or delve into black magic which I think is complete crap. Harry Potter is a fairytale! If you’re worried about your kids getting into the wrong things by reading HARRY POTTER of all things then you aren’t a very good parent.
I totally agree that cencorship should remain inside the home. Teaching your kids morals and what is ok to read in your eyes is your job and shouldn’t be forced onto other people.
I also believe that no one should shelter their kids. Covering your kid’s ears because they might hear swearing is completely pointless. I grew up in Utah (a very religous state, in case you didn’t already know) and kids were swearing around me in school starting in the 4th grade. It’s unrealistic to shelter anyone from anything (except for maybe that anarchist cook book, i understand the reasons for that being banned) because they will eventually be exposed to it regardless.
If you’ve ever read The Tipping Point and understood the ramifications of chapter 7, consider that censorship is a useful tool for moderation: most sane people don’t let kids watch pornography and it’s illegal in incite a riot. “Monkey see, monkey do,” so it’s best to set a good example for others.
Other books of interest:
– 120 Banned Books: Censorship Histories of World Literature.
– What’s Your Dangerous Idea? by Dawkins.
I have to agree with Stuart on this, anybody ever heard of the crusades? Lots of bloody, pointless wars where a lot of people died. Started by the kind forgiving Christians and Muslims of course. The Christians slaughtered innocent Jewish people in Jerusalem for no real reson
I have to say that there are at least two heavy topics to weigh when thinking about censorship and it comes down to the same arguement as freedom/free agency.
1) If something is in the public domain, billboard, street corner, etc then you are NOT free to NOT see it. You are forced to see it…so…if the majority feel that it ought to be behind closed doors only, then laws are passed and that thing becomes censored.
2)If something is in the public domain and I want to express it (maybe its something important to me, like my religion that I believe you should believe as well) then when I get censored I will feel like I have lost my personal freedoms.
You cannot have 100% freedom and No cenorship (see example 1). You cannot have 100% freedom with censorship (see example 2). It should become clear that, at some point, we have to give up some of our freedoms for the common moral ground.
So where should the line be drawn and who gets to draw it? In the USA, we have a lot or rating systems to try and attempt a sliding censorhip scale. If you are under 18 you cannot see this unless you are with and adult (rated R). Or even, if you are under 17 you cannot see this, period (nc 17).
Similar practices and labels are in the library. I would be upset if a book sacred to me was censored (the Book of Mormon) but I personally wish that no one could get their hands on something like the necronomicron.
Its a sticky topic and the resulting social division is damn interesting. What if I said that any nudity for commercial gain on the internet had to have a .porn tag on it? Some of you woudl scream that a regulated internet is not free and I’d be letting in the door for some effects that I wouldn’t like. This is possible, sure…but…someone posting porn on a site not labeled .porn could face some serious charges and help keep the porn spammers in check.
The same issue occurs when when looks at any set of rights. Anything said where others can hear takes away their freedom to NOT hear whatever you are saying. So what do you do? take away freedom of speech? No. Take away their right to be offended by what i said? No.
What we need is a nice big dose of common sense (although it seems to be less common) and courtesy. How about some great ideals like, “Assume people aren’t trying to offend you” tied together with, “Don’t try to offend people.” No laws can support this…only our collective decision to quit being selfish jerks. Sounds an aweful lot like what True Christianity is supposed to be about. No more junk lawsuits, no more trying to push commonly offensive stuff on people, etc etc.
Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
Benjamin Franklin – American inventor, journalist, printer, diplomat, and statesman.
This from the late 18th century… strangely predictive of our current world. The almighty Patriot Act is just the next (albeit large) step toward losing both our security and what freedom we have left.
And even though I don’t live in the US, it has huge impact on our lives anywhere – US dollar transfers, travel restrictions and a plethora of other restrictions (despite our newly signed “free” trade agreement). We have all lost a little liberty and I certainly don’t believe I have gained any security.
Myself, I think jesus would laugh it off, he would probably appreciate the humor. I mean, he WAS a human right? and supposedly a pretty decent one, so it stands to reason that he would have a very good sense of humor. Mohammad too.
Conservative Christians with more opinions nobody asked for. *sigh*