Rowan Atkinson (of Mr Bean fame) on the freedom to criticize ideas

[Major Nikon]

[Maraya1969]

1. Except that many people's religions are what they are born into and almost like their race.

I'm thinking of Jews and Muslims. People are born into societies; they don't have much control over that.

Most people are born into a family and a society and then taught what their beliefs are. It is only a few who are bold enough to decide for themselves later on who end up leaving.

[Major Nikon]

2. Race isn't an idea. Religion is. There is no almost to that.

The reason religion got to where you describe is because it was free from criticism by force of law for thousands of years.

[edhopper]

3. As someone "born Jewish"

I say ridicule the ideas of Judism all you want. That is different than ridiculing or insulting me as a person.

[Voltaire2]

7. The equivalence would be to people

Raised in racist families and communities. Should we avoid ridiculing their racism because they were just raised that way?

A belief system is not an ethnicity.

[trotsky]

9. So does that mean you're in favor of blasphemy laws?

Should people face legal consequences if they criticize or mock someone else's religion?

[Ilsa]

4. You may have the right to offend, but that doesn't mean

there won't be consequences or blowback.

[Major Nikon]

6. You mean like burning heretics to death in the town square?

Or the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack?

[Ilsa]

8. That's terrorism. I was speaking

about social implications of insulting the people around you. The offender should be ready for a hearty "go fuck yourself," or more passively, being ignored.

[Major Nikon]

10. Except what Rowan is talking about is not insulting people

It’s criticizing an idea. Certainly some are so attached to their ideas they will view this as as in insult to themselves. That’s what closed mindedness looks like and with some it will rise to the violence stage.

[Ilsa]

13. Got it. Thanks. nt

[Midnight Writer]

5. The Protestant religions started from people criticizing The Church.

[Pendrench]

11. I completely agree. As someone who is a born, raised, and still practicing Catholic, I personally

think that not only should others be free to criticize what I believe, but I also think that it is beneficial for me to hear such criticism, and ask myself "Why am I offended by what is being said?"

In short, I think that the only way to grow is to learn. And I can do this by:

Examining my own faith
Examining what/why others believe as they do
Examining what/why other do not believe

Just my own thoughts on this.

Wishing all well and peace.

Tim

[Major Nikon]

12. That's really the only way ideas can be allowed to stand on their own merit

This is no different than any other idea. When criticism of ideas is suppressed you have oppression regardless of how well meaning it is.

[Pendrench]

14. Well said!