Senor Senior
Banned
But, if these people have an opinion, and they're not the ones who are out there committing hate crimes against the homosexual population, then they're not to blame. You saying these people, who are only expressing their opinion are actually the reason why other people go out there and engage in gay bashing activities is the same as all those critics out there who say things like, "Video games/ Movies/ Pop culture teach our kids to be violent. They're the reason why that sick kid in Virgina Tech massacred all those poor kids. It's not really his fault, the person we should be blaming is Video games/ Movies/ Pop culture! That kid didn't go out there and buy weapons and it wasn't him running around shooting people up. It was Video games/ Movies/ Pop culture", or "You know what... fast food restaurants such as McDonalds and Burger King are actually to blame for my fat ass kids obesity. It's not my kids fault at all." And that, my friend, is just plain wrong. Wrong both morally and logically. Let me give you some examples:
- Example# 1: Some homophobic teenager passes by one of these peoples rallies and decides that these individuals have the right idea. He/she starts thinking, "You know what? These guys are right... God is killing our brave soldiers overseas because the American government allows the fags to live amongst our midst... I should do something to solve this problem!" This same child then goes out, buys a gun and kills three non-heterosexual people. Now, by your logic, this kid is not the one to blame. It's actually the fault of the people who were holding the rally. Even though this kid spent his/her own hard earned money from their own pocket to illegally purchase a gun, then hunt down three gay people and even though he/she pulled the trigger, they're not the ones to blame. Forgive me, but not only is that blatantly wrong, but it's simply stupid. If someone is weak minded enough to let what other people say influence them to the point of breaking the law, then it's their own fault, not those who "inspired" them.
- Example# 2: Average Joe, a teenager of about sixteen or seventeen decides one day that he's had it with all the crap in his life. He can no longer stand to get picked on in class, ignored by the ladies, suffer abuse from his parents. Finally, he comes to the conclusion that he's going to end his life, but he's not dying alone. Oh no, he's going to go out with a bang, and take a whole lot of people with him. So, he saves up some cash, buys a flowing long black coat, a whole lot of firepower and runs into his school. He runs around, killing people left and right, all the while, in his mind, he looks like a hero. Like, say, he looks like "Neo" from "The Matrix". In the end, he's killed between thirty and thirty five people, and ended up taking his own life as well. Two days later, the media finds out that Joe had lined up as the first one on his block to buy tickets to "The Matrix". Now, if what you're saying is true, then it's not Joe's fault that all those poor people are dead, it's actually "The Matrix's" fault. Joe didn't run around out there shooting people's heads off, that was Keanu Reeves, right? Wrong! Why is that out of the millions of people who watched "The Matrix" only one decided to go around committing mass homicide/suicide? I'll tell you why, because it's not "The Matrix's" fault. Joe was messed up to begin with. If he didn't get the help and attention he so desperately required, he was going to run around killing people regardless of whether he saw "The Matrix" or not.
- Example# 3: Steve has a twelve year old son who weighs more than him. As a matter of fact, his son weighs a little over two hundred and twenty pounds. His son is morbidly obese, and Steve decides, "You know what, it's not my kids fault that they're so fat and suffering because of it. It's the fault of all those fast food restaurants out there! Yeah, yeah, even though I'm the one who shoves the money into his fat greasy palms, I'm not gonna take responsibility, instead, I'm gonna blame a third party! Yeah, that sounds about right. Ronald McDonald broke into my house every night for the past year, hogtied my poor son and force fed him Happy Meals!" Now, were one to follow your logic, Clyde, then and only then would it be the fault of the fast food industry and not Steve that his son is a fat slob. Again, this is wrong, just plain wrong.
No, whose to judge where to draw the line? Whose to say what's wrong to say and what's right to say? If you say that we should limit freedom of expression based on popular opinion, then it's no longer freedom of expression.
Let's say you take this issue up to the government Clyde, and you propose a law that would make it illegal for these people to protest or gather and express their opinions because it "hurts other people's feelings" or "may spark the flames of violence". Let's just say, hypothetically speaking, that the government hears your plea, and they decide that you're right. Because the opinion of these people is so "outrageous", because what they say "can cause violence" the government passes a law, limiting freedom of speech. "From now on, you can only say what you like as long as it doesn't offend other people, or drive them to acts of violence." And let's say that yes, these people are disbanded. But where does it end, Clyde? Pretty soon, the government will have to ban great films such as, "Final Fantasy Advent Children" and "Sin City" and "The Matrix" and "300" and "Lord of the Rings", all because some people out there would find the movies offensive, or find inspiration for violence in them. Soon after that, the government will crack down of forums such as FFF, because we discuss topics much like this one. They'll say things like, "Some kid saw that topic and was offended" and "Some guy in Alabama saw the topic and decided that those people were right. Those gay bashers should be punished, and he took it on himself to go out there, hunt down each and every last one of them and he skinned them alive"
Pray that what you propose never becomes a reality, for if what you wish for comes true, then we won't have a FFF to discuss such matters on. Our culture would be devoid of great films, works of art, songs and the like. People would have to watch what they say in public, in fear of being hauled off to jail. It's just too terrible a fate to imagine. The basic principle of "Freedom of Speech" is that it's okay to say anything. Without fear of repercussion.
I can honestly say that I agree with you to an extent. People should exercise caution, common sense and perhaps restraint when speaking in public. However, if they don't, they should still be allowed to express themselves.
Wrong, an opinion, by definition can't be wrong, since it's only what someone thinks, it's not a proven fact. Therefore, I'm afraid your statement is invalid.
That's your opinion. Were I to follow your flawed logic, I could say that your opinion is wrong.
Wow. Somebody's not loved by God. You have to understand, that these people are the minority. Yes, religion has its downsides, sure, but it also inspires great acts of kindness and charity in humans. You're only looking at one side of the story.
You know, when I first posted in this topic, I was being contrary just for the sake of being contrary. I wanted to play "Devil's Advocate". However, after reading what a lot of you wrote, I can honestly say that if this is how the younger generation feels, then I pray for us. I can't believe some of the things you people write. If what you wanted were to be put into being, then we'd all live in a terrible world. I just hope you can see the light and mend your ways before you come into a position of power.
Warm regards,
~The Very Sad Wullfe
