Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Southern Illinois University evangelist's offensive speech is protected
After evangelist Keith Darrell took over the Rock last Monday, it became clear to me that if there's one thing that will get students interested in something other than texting and Facebook, it's a loud religious man telling them they will all burn in hell.
Part of me was proud that so many students took an interest in what was going on and felt free to express their own beliefs. The other part of me was kind of embarrassed that so many students didn't seem to understand how the First Amendment works.
The thing about freedom in this country is that, unless you're doing something illegal, people, whether they have the same beliefs as you or not, are allowed to express their opinions for everyone to hear.
While I was out on the Stratton Quadrangle surrounded by the crowd of my fellow students, I heard comments that I could do nothing but shake my head. Some were asking how the university could let such a person onto our campus. Others were doing everything they could to tear down Darrell and not let his voice be heard.
If students were offended by what Darrell had to say, they are obviously allowed to feel that way. I certainly did not agree with what he had to say, but that doesn't mean I have any right to stand there and tell him that he's not allowed to express his beliefs. By doing that, I would be giving up my right to express my own thoughts and opinions, and I most definitely do not want to live in that kind of world.
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11 comments:
WOW....such an old head on such young shoulders!
Liberals are so afraid of christ becuase they fear the truth
Sounds like the University is doing its proper part to indoctrinate the feeble young minds of our youth with the Political Correctness that our institutions of higher learning are required to provide. Bravo for showing us that you are just like every other Liberal university.
Most young people today, especially those attending one the so-called "centers of higher learning", (see: leftist indoctrination camps) believe the First Amendment applies to "their thoughts, actions, and speech only", and any other opinion that is different from theirs is not protected. This is how the Left manipulates and distorts future generations.
"To conquer a nation without the use of military force, you must first control the minds of their young..." -- Karl Marx
Mmm, mmm, mmm.
Well, I give credit to the University for not sending security to silence the noisy preacher. I read too many articles on this site where universities refuse to allow people to express their faith or views.
You want to talk about free speech?
Stand there listening to a man saying something at the top of his voice that is so vial, so repugnant that you would spend the rest of your life condemning it at the top of yours!
celebrate THAT in your classrooms, THEN you can tell me about YOUR right to free speech!
Kids today (read little socialists in training) seem to think free speech is only for the things THEY agree with!
talk about phobias, the liberals have plenty.
Anon 2:14, you are so correct. The freedoms and liberties defined by the Founding Fathers of the United States are meant to be universal, not selective based on political leaning, creed, or race.
Dose that inclued the N-WORD?
Anon 5:45 PM, yes. Yes it does.
And if you are shocked by this, or if you consider that response to be racist, then you completely miss the reasonings behind the United States Constitution. But what is often missed is the moral and ethical component. It simply goes back to the old cliché, "Just because you have the right to do something doesn't mean that it is the right thing to do."
If you really want to stand out, stand as a man of integrity.
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