Westerners continue to insist on freedom

Submitted by Claire (United States), Apr 21, 2008 at 13:38

And it goes beyond insisting--we would die in our attempt to keep it, if necessary. The problem is, you wish to punish people who exercise free speech, and I think the best way to handle it is to ignore it. It's like children teasing each other. When it no longer gets the desired reaction, they stop on their own. I do not think the government's place is to control people's speech.

Pornography is an interesting idea. Different cultures have different ideas of what it is. Some try to associate it with clothing, but that doesn't hold up, since some cultures don't wear much clothing and are quite peaceful to each other sexually, for example. Others cover themselves completely and yet are more likely to commit crimes like rape or physical brutality. My own definition might be anything done to an individual against his or her will regarding clothing or the lack thereof or physical touching or posing for the purpose of entertaining others. Because it goes to basic freedom and liberty, I think society has a responsibility to stop people from dominating and hurting others.

I honestly don't understand why people cling to ancient writings that say people were or talked to supernatural gods and goddesses. I think people are generally gullible, and it had some survival value for them as they evolved and learned language and use of tools.

Since shari'a is only for Moslems, then I say don't draw pictures if you find them offensive. But don't try to enforce shari'a on non-Moslems, which is what intimidating or killing people over cartoons amounts to.

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