A war is raging against free speech

[stevenleser]

111. I think saying things like that does cause actual harm

Saying things like LGBT'ers or Jews or Muslims or whatever else group are "dirty, disease-spreading, child molesters", particularly when done by a state or large groups inevitably leads to bullying against those groups at the very least.

That is what happens here in the US today with the gay community and it happened in Germany in the 1930s with Jews. It happened here in the US particularly prior to the 1960's with African Americans.

These statements are dehumanizing and villifying. Once a group of folks are dehumanized, its much easier to get past any ethical or moral restraints against harming them.

How do we reconcile that with Freedom of Speech? I am not sure.

I do know though that there is a difference between criticism and hate speak. There is a difference between specific issues with individuals and negative generalizations against all of whatever group. I think that is what the current laws in places like the UK, Germany, Sweden and Finland are getting at.

One other potential way of getting past this is to have something similar to the libel and slander laws where the truth is an absolute defense. This is just an example, but if someone was to say they are angry against the Catholic church because they do not ordain women priests, it would be allowed because its true and easily demonstrable to be so.