If you don’t allow offensive speech, you don’t allow speech. This thread is incredibly noxious.
This is a prime example.
We’re just saying that your blog posted here is hate-mongering and as a result we hate it. While you have the right to freedom of speech, so do those who criticise this blog and so have acted accordingly.
via Maori Animism: New Zealand’s Established Religion | MandM.
I commented that as a society we had three choices: a theocracy (which is what the author was saying we were at risk of, anti theocracy or secularism, and free speech. I voted for the latter. The comment below shows how people go past the point.
The thing is Chris, no one is asking you to worship a mountain. They’re just asking you not to be a dick about someone else’s beliefs.
I don’t think anyone has every been miraculously healed at Lourdes, or that a god was crucified at Calvary; but if I was to visit those places I’d be respectful of their cultural signifcance. Wouldn’t you?
Well, no. If I go to Cathedrals. or Lourdes (and I am not a Catholic. I don’t take part in the sacraments. If I go to a mosque I don’t go at times of prayer.
In part this is respect of their property and it is being consistent with my beleifs. The entire point of being anti established religion is that I can choose.
And with the hardline Maori you cannot. You have to accept their spirituality. We are not allowed to mock it.
Well, you can’t have it both ways. If we allow offensive speech — speech I disagree with — my being offended is immaterial. The Maori being offended that I absent myself from Karakia is immaterial.
I dissent. And it’s clear that I am seen as rude for doing this. If that is being rude, then civility should be vomited out the toilet.
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