Good will to all men? Not from the grumpy atheists! (Thank God not all atheists are grumpy but there sure seems to be a lot of them)
Why is it that so many in the atheist community cannot bring themselves to get past their anger whenever they engage in discussions? The language of many of their contributions in public debate is laced with invective and dripping with sarcasm and bile. There are exceptions of course, but they tend to fall more into the category of being the 'exception that proves the rule' when compared to the hostility of many of today's atheist posters. Comment offered by the theists in the public square is often depicted as being 'malicious' or 'venomous' and intended to enslave the 'feeble minded and weak' by those who post. Nothing could be further from the truth. Venom is something that is oriented to death. Christians are oriented in a 180 degree different direction. We speak not to the culture of death that grips our world but rather for the culture of life and light which ends with the gift of eternal life. For example, the Catholic Church in its hum...
Hi Tim,
ReplyDeleteI support the view that the state should actively and effectively protect the right of citizens to practice a religion, switch to a different religion, or to practice no religion at all.
What I do not support are laws which ciminalize "blasphemy". People ought to be free to criticize their own religion, and the religion practiced by others - provided that such criticism does not cross the line into hate speech. My sincere hope is that such criticism is always principled and free of malicious propaganda, lies, or half truths.
The only way to truly balance freedom of speech, religion, and conscience is to ensure a high wall of spearation between the state and religion. Only a strong secular state stands a chance of protecting the religious freedoms of all - especially religious minorities.
Cheers...Martin