To criticize a person for their race is manifestly irrational and ridiculous, but to criticize their religion, that is a right. That is a freedom.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
People have a right to criticize.
As a global society, we do not have to agree, endorse or condone the lifestyle choices of others. However, history has taught us that we equally cannot and should not excuse those who would hide behind religion or misuse God's word to justify bigotry and persecution.
People can't stand it when you deal with issues of race and class, and also sometimes the church, and you give a perspective that flushes out hypocrisy.
The right of free speech cannot be parceled out based on whether we want to hear what the speaker has to say or whether we agree with those views. It means, quite often, tolerating the expression of views that we find distasteful, perhaps even repugnant.
Anytime you're saying that a person will be thinking one way or another or biased one way or another just based upon race, I just think it's certainly going to be subject to that criticism of racism.
Freedom of religion is a fundamental Constitutional principle. It's a founding principle of this country.
This is a free country, and nobody should be criticized for their political beliefs. We're all allowed to have our opinions.
Religion has the right to express its opinion in the service of the people, but God in creation has set us free: it is not possible to interfere spiritually in the life of a person.
One of the problems with defending free speech is you often have to defend people that you find to be outrageous and unpleasant and disgusting.
We've all been brought up with the view that religion has some kind of special privileged status. You're not allowed to criticise it.