Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: ClancyJ
Why is free speech only for those that tear down religion and never for those that support religion?

Free speech doesn't mean you get the government to speak for you. It means government cannot prevent you from speaking.

to persuade us that our views can stand without protection

Are you suggesting that they can't? And it isn't protection you are asking for. You already have that. You can speak freely, or post the commandments wherever you like, provided you provide the forum and funds. What you want is coercion. You want the right to take money, by force if necessary, to provide a state sponsored forum.

that our views infringe on others so are not to be considered as equal

The Ten Commandments do not infringe upon others. Forcing others to pay for a plaque of the Ten Commandments and to provide for a forum to post them does. Quite the opposite of what you claim, we want them on equal ground with all other forms of speech. No belief system can claim to have the backing of the state in a nation that claims religious liberty.

our views are to be kept in the closet or appropriate places so as not to have any power or influence over others.

Oh, I see. Any forum that doesn't involve government is worthless, because we are helpless peons who can't speak for ourslelves.

You're absolutely right about the power part. Power implies force and coercion, which is distinctly different from influence, which implies voluntary choice.

Are you suggesting that it is only through government that your views have any influence? That doesn't speak highly of them. And as everyone has said, you don't have to keep your view in a closet, keep them anywhere you like, just out of government - which must remain neutral in matters of faith if we are to be a free country.

The ACLU is not Lord of this land.

Correct, but you miss the point. In a free country there are no official Lords. If people of their own conscience choose to establish one of their own for themselves, or have none at all, that's their prerogative. Government is nowhere in the equation.

39 posted on 09/06/2001 10:46:48 AM PDT by freeeee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies ]


To: freeeee
Well said.
40 posted on 09/06/2001 10:50:04 AM PDT by Storm Orphan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson