Freedom of speech

[mickey house]

I find this quite an interesting subject because some people only believe that freedom of speech or the right to offend is okay as long as no one criticises what they believe in (or they are offended).

I have noticed over the years that more people appear offended by things I honestly consider quite trivial, and free speech to some people doesn't allow the right to offend (you can't always have one without the other).

I strongly believe that freedom of speech is healthy and is needed to discuss issues and learn from other peoples points of view. I don't believe in offending someone by calling them names and being nasty (you're fat, you're ugly etc), but I have learnt so much from having discussions with people and watching many debates that for instance I concluded there wasn't a supernatural being (whereas beforehand I just assumed there was one). In some countries you can't say anything detrimental about their dictatorship or their religion for fear of ending up in prison (or even worse) and those countries never really progress when people are forced to remain silent.

I have always brought my son up to be honest, so even as a kid if for instance he was asked if he enjoyed his dinner then I wanted him to be honest in his response (not rude but honest).

When people become so defensive, upset or even aggressive because someone has given an opinion on something they don't agree with (religion, politics, brexit, a football team etc etc), then that makes me question what they have to hide and why they want to silence people because if I believe in something I feel comfortable enough to openly discuss it and perhaps even learn something I hadn't previously considered.

Anyway I'm off to mow the lawn and do some other jobs, but in the meantime please feel free to criticise my post😀

[maidmarian]

Yup that's exactly what I would've put MH.
Sometimes it's if your face fits and all that too, if you get what I mean? 😉
Now get that lawn mowed 😂

[Rebelrebel]

There's a difference between freedom of speech and being unkind...just be kind Not saying you are unkind, as I get older I begin to see the world differently

[Trusty ian]

Just shut up and moan your lawn, I mean mow your lawn.

[Sandra & co]

Freedom of speech is fine unless you mention someone’s miserable face walking round Sainsburys, then it’s not ok! 😩 that’s my face!

[Colette-S]

He won’t mow the lawn. He will get the mower out and then have a break. He will then start it up for 2 minutes and have another break. Then it will be time for lunch after which he has a lie down in his man cave. Then he will go back to the lawn and look at the mower before starting another thread. By this time it will be too dark to mow!

[amy56]

Originally Posted by Rebelrebel

There's a difference between freedom of speech and being unkind...just be kind Not saying you are unkind, as I get older I begin to see the world differently

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Yes I know what you mean - I’m all for freedom of speech, but I really like the THINK acronym, and do try (I’m not always successful!) to use that before I say something - or particularly when I type - is what I’m going to say: True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind.

Sometimes things might be truthful (or at least truthful in your own eyes), but if it’s not necessary to share them as it would feel unkind to others, then I think it’s ok to bite your tongue and not say them. 👍

[maidmarian]

Originally Posted by Colette-S

He won’t mow the lawn. He will get the mower out and then have a break. He will then start it up for 2 minutes and have another break. Then it will be time for lunch after which he has a lie down in his man cave. Then he will go back to the lawn and look at the mower before starting another thread. By this time it will be too dark to mow!

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Or he'll stand looking at it scratching his head 😂😂

[Trusty ian]

Originally Posted by Colette-S

He won’t mow the lawn. He will get the mower out and then have a break. He will then start it up for 2 minutes and have another break. Then it will be time for lunch after which he has a lie down in his man cave. Then he will go back to the lawn and look at the mower before starting another thread. By this time it will be too dark to mow!

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Cynical!
Or be raining by then. 😂😂

[Pumpkin Pie]

I feel it’s a bit like being honest. Sometimes it’s best to say nothing.