Quote:
Originally Posted by BookZombie
I think that one of the most important rights we have is the right of free speech, and I see it as a breech of this that Nazis and other racists can not express their views. Granted I mean there is limits to what should have been allowed, for example bothering people on the streets for example is out of the question, posting racist messages on billboards and the like to is out of the question. However wearing person symbols of one's views that should be allowed, the same with having websites or writing books and so on as long as they do not encourage people to hurt one another.
Again I do not support racism, I think it is both stupid and indescribably ignorant, however if people want to be fools I think they should be allowed to be fools as long as they do not harm anyone. I think that if someone want to say publicly I hate such and such people, that is their business what is not okey is to incite to violence or try to tarnish other's reputation or walk up to people in the streets bothering them.
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I see your point, but again, the issue is that it is likely to result in public unrest. Being homosexual, if I were to see somebody with a placard telling all queers to go to hell, I'd probably get fairly pissed and start an argument. Whilst I'm aware there's a difference between holding a placard and wearing a symbol, to some they will have the same effect. Arguments, fights, street brawls and perhaps even deaths could ensue.
A religious symbol usually won't have this effect because these are simply symbols of spiritual belief - for the most part they are used in a positive way. However a racist person using a racist symbol is outwardly displaying generalised hatred towards a great deal of people. Freedom of speech is important, however it must be weighed against the result and if the cost is too great, I can understand the censorship.