Can "free speech" be limited by ideology?

Should communists, jihadists, and white supremacists have free speech? To what extent?

If they're not threatening people or advocating for violence, is their speech protected?

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

PrivateHell · M

One of the fundamental traits of true freedom is that it is protected for ALL, especially those you disagree with...

If you start denying people rights because you don't agree with them, who gets to decide, and where is the line? Block a white supremacist, then next you have to block SJWs for the same kind of speech. After that, you might as well block people on the opposite side of your ideology, which is true fascism regardless of ideology.

How long before before something you believe or say is outlawed? And if you are defending the freedom of everyone, who will defend yours when you need it?

Of course this does not include speech that leads to actual physical harm.

Spoiledbrat · F

No. It’s more than that. If you let people express themselves without any limitations you take rights away from people who don’t want to hear it. There’s a place and a time for everything. That’s my belief. @PrivateHell

PrivateHell · M

@Spoiledbrat but what about the views you hold that others may not agree with? What happens when you are forced to be silent?

I tend to see it this way... As long as they aren't physically harming or promoting harm to others, let a racist speak. That way they are out in the open and everyone can see what a moron they are.

Plus our rights do not come from man or the government, therefore what gives either the right to take them away?

Spoiledbrat · F

It’s one thing to let a person merely speak versus a speech that’s full of hate. I also want to point out a physical encounter is not the only way to hurt someone. People can be tormented emotionally as well. Also I think very few speeches fall into the category of a hate speech. @PrivateHell

PrivateHell · M

@Spoiledbrat what you say has merit, though there is no actual legal definition of hate speech in America. Abuse of any type is not a right, and falls outside of "free speech" already.

We have a natural right to speak our mind, no matter how unpopular our opinion is. What we don't have the right to, is to live without being offended. That simply isn't possible or realistic.

If you ban someone from saying they hare minorities, women or gays, that doesn't take away their opinion. It just makes them resentful and more determined to hold that opinion.