Christians Sue for Right Not to Tolerate Policies
Christians Sue for Right Not to Tolerate Policies - Los Angeles Times
This is a really good article from the LA Times about a rising number of conservative groups suing institutions, like colleges, and workplaces that ban speech that puts down others because of their sexual orientation. Religious conservatives argue that their freedom of religious expression is being violated in order to create "tolerance."
I asked myself, "So what's the difference between hating homosexuality and hating blacks? I could argue my particular religion hates blacks." Of course, the religious conservatives argued saying homosexuality is a choice (like heterosexuality is a choice?), unlike race, which is an inborn trait.
I, for one, think policies to ban certain speech are not generally good, even if it's to promote diversity. Why? Because it prevents bigots from making asses of themselves. Of course, it depends if it's in a public or private setting. If a workplace wants to make sure its environment is safe and comfortable for its workers, then they have the right to ban hate speech (but they can't make employees sign a "tolerance pledge"). But if a campus group at Georgia Tech wants to make asses of themselves by denoucing homosexuality as a sin in the campus quad, I say let them. As long as they're not interrupting the business of teaching and research, give them the freedom to express their douche-baggery.
This is a really good article from the LA Times about a rising number of conservative groups suing institutions, like colleges, and workplaces that ban speech that puts down others because of their sexual orientation. Religious conservatives argue that their freedom of religious expression is being violated in order to create "tolerance."
I asked myself, "So what's the difference between hating homosexuality and hating blacks? I could argue my particular religion hates blacks." Of course, the religious conservatives argued saying homosexuality is a choice (like heterosexuality is a choice?), unlike race, which is an inborn trait.
I, for one, think policies to ban certain speech are not generally good, even if it's to promote diversity. Why? Because it prevents bigots from making asses of themselves. Of course, it depends if it's in a public or private setting. If a workplace wants to make sure its environment is safe and comfortable for its workers, then they have the right to ban hate speech (but they can't make employees sign a "tolerance pledge"). But if a campus group at Georgia Tech wants to make asses of themselves by denoucing homosexuality as a sin in the campus quad, I say let them. As long as they're not interrupting the business of teaching and research, give them the freedom to express their douche-baggery.
2 Comments:
I don't think David's saying that Conservative Christians can't. Quite the contrary. He's saying that they should be able to express themselves.
Sidenote: Freedom of Speech is a very regulated thing. The SCOTUS ruled that the government can regulate the time, place and manner of your speech. In other words, you can't just go somewhere and start expressing yourself publicly. Usually, you have to get approval from the city (or whatever place you're going to do it) first. If I remember correctly, the Klan always gets permission just as I'm sure that conservative groups get permission.
By
Robert, at 4/10/2006 6:53 PM
SCOTUS kinda looks like SCROTUM
(No. 1 Not World of Warcraft-related comment)
By
Tony, at 4/11/2006 12:36 AM
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