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What Happened to Freedoms of Speech, Expression and Thought?

Should we allow basic human rights be violated by over-sensitive religious groups?


  • What Happened to Freedom of Speech and Expression?

    Every single human being, irrespective of race or jurisdiction possesses the right, and yes, it is a fundamental right to freedom of thought, expression and speech (in whatever form).

    These rights are founded on the inviolable premise that human beings are worthy of respect and dignity, without prejudice.

    Two World Wars and standing on the brink of annihilation (the Cold War) taught modern human beings how precious these rights are and how frequently, they can be disregarded or violated. Slowly, over a period of time, democracy evolved into the political models available all over the so-called 'Western' world today.

    In democratic regimes, basic human rights constitute the cornerstones or foundations of any constitution worth the paper it is written on.

    The modern world is no longer about who believes what, who said what, who did what in the past...it is focused on the future and the investment therein. A sure way to guarantee our future survival as human beings, is via collaboration and tolerance.

    Due to geographic and cultural differences, human beings have adopted various social mechanisms to survive as a group, as a society and later, as so-called nations.

    Within these nations (countries), individuals exist who may or may not hold the larger, universally accepted belief. However, the mere fact that these individuals exist as part of any culture, does not mean their voices may not be heard.

    Religious groups have for ages in the past, strived for the control of society. To call its mechanisms to do so 'creative', would be an understatement. Religion was the glue of any community in the past, the undertow to human behaviour in society.

    Religion, in itself, is an ideology...a theory, based predominantly on fear...of death. Using death, and the promise of reward for living a 'religious' life in a so-called heaven, has driven countless societies to expressions of irrationality and created perceptions of inferiority.

    Most recently, as shown by world events, individuals expressed their thoughts and speech in the form and the media they preferred. The result was an outburst of emotional irrationality the proportions of which were last seen shortly before World War 1.

    Should these rights be suppressed or should all who hold different views from those who feel offended keep quiet now? Should those who do not believe what others believe be punished or threatened with violence? Should all who believe differently tread carefully and sensitively around certain subjects because it might offend some religious group?

    I think not...and it is time we said so.

    Voted for by Hertha.
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