Unfortunately they are trying to stop you and have succeeded. It's all done in the name of not offending anyone. All it takes is one person to say that it offends them and the activity is barred. Or for that matter someone in authority that may think that the activity may offend someone and it's barred. In schools you can no longer have a Christmas pageant. In College you can no longer where a costume that offends someone or give a speech on free speech because it is being given by someone with different political views.. In the town hall you can no longer put up a Christmas decorations, I'm guessing that it's the same law in Iran and Iraq. So we are starting to slowly agree with them on things and I'm sure more of the same is on the way in the future. The Supreme court can start it's session with a prayer but the same prayer can't be said in school. Banning an activity is legal but making it legal is illegal . As J.W says "Our rights are slowly being taken away". We still have the right of free speech, or do we? I guess if you are saying something that doesn't offend the listener then we do. What ever happened to the phrase my mother used to tell me when I was a kid "sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me" ? Try telling that to the snowflakes that are running around now and see what the say.
I've enjoyed listening/reading these threads lately because of all the different views. Just wanted to chime in on this one part of your quote, mg;
It's not true you ever had 'freedom of speech'; try yelling 'fire' in a packed auditorium when there is no fire and see how free you are to say it. This sense of entitlement in the US is only what we think we have, and this is just one example. If you admit you don't have freedom of speech, it then might alter your perception and thinking. Like it would/should everyone's. I don't think you want to say anything that hurts another but expressing how you feel about your religion shouldn't be anything worse than asking what flavor ice cream you like (even if you don't like ice cream!).
But it is and for a reason; something inside understands there's more to life and it's root is based in religion/belief. You feel threatened when someone puts forth that their 'holiday' is the 'true/right' one and yours isn't. Even if you have none. (and I know some don't see it that way, for them, it's a matter of putting forth THEIR happiness at the occasion and wishing it for you) For those offended, I can't understand why; if you believe in what you believe, whatever I say shouldn't bother you in the least. If it causes you to think on other possibles, there's nothing wrong with thinking. I'm not forcing you to do anything, including thinking, just because I say something religiously personal. You can walk away and leave me to babble to myself! But I know many would say I don't even have that right, that I'm then forcing my beliefs on them, ESPECIALLY if I do it in a public place (school, for example). And the ironic thing is this; the school system is already forcing beliefs in the form of science religion. Yeah, I said it; science, though understandable and verifiable for the most part, still is ultimately a leap of faith (like most say of religion) in that there is no proof something came from nothing. Still, that's what is still 'evangelized' in the schools. They're not teaching anything with enough evidence that would refute say Creationism. IMO, if you teach one, you should teach them all. OR, a better idea, let the parents decide after doing their own due diligence, with the idea their kids can re-open the issue upon their own greater understanding.
Okay, that probably stirred the pot far too much, but well, I do have freedom of speech, don't I? heh. When responses are non-threatening, non-personal, then I'll know if I do or not...
Just a simple example but most people don't understand we don't have 'true' freedom to say anything we want at anytime anywhere.
That said, I understand the basic idea of what you're trying to say but that's the problem with absolutes; there's precious few of them. The trick is to figure out which they are and don't fold when society/culture presses in.
For my part, I was asking my wife yesterday re what I've been reading here. I asked; ever had anyone get mad at you for wishing them a Merry Christmas? Then I turned it around and asked her what she'd think if someone wished her a Happy Chanukah or Kwuanzaa (not ignoring the rest but these were the two that came up in my life experiences)? She had to hesitate but then said she'd wish them a Merry Christmas to which I had to tell her they are not all the same. The idea she felt she had to 'support' her belief in the face of others is, I think, a natural one.
And though Meyer is socially correct in that religion shouldn't be part of forum discussion, that all by itself gives me the same feelings as not saying Merry Christmas, etc; why can't I give my opinions and do so without anyone taking offense? It's human nature and our reactions to such topics being brought up. I accept I can't do this but shake my head that I can't. No one says you have to participate in a discussion but if you do, I think letting everyone have a voice is as important as listening to it as well. Same here; I'm with Mitch in that I see a lot of what I take as fond memories re Christmas 'doings' as being outdated and worse, de-valued. But, that's the problem; too many are believing in only themselves and so, there isn't really a real sense of community anymore (imo). Like jw said, I too believe most of 'culture' here is going down the tubes (wait; sissy said that!) and though some changes were needed, I really think the whole pc thing is worse than having/taking a passionate stand.
In the end, there's now so much 'me' that I can understand why division of 'we' the people has happened.
Michael
