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  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

Would you defend...

Opalina

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Hi! I absolutely would and have. Years ago, I worked with a lady who was a Jehovah's Witness. (Btw, I am not a Christian and never have been) She was very mellow about it, and all she asked was that any jokes that were circulated through email were not sent to her-they could be a bit off color! Instead of respecting that a few people in our department not only sent them to her (manager included!), they printed them out and laid them on her desk! It went from that to asking her inappropriate questions about her sex life and other ridicule. It was apparent how much this hurt her, and I couldnt stand watching it any longer. I went to human resources, and let them know. Needless to say I was not very popular and ended up quitting shortly thereafter. Maybe I was out of line as she did not go to human resources herself but I couldnt watch it anymore-she was near tears constantly.

I believe everyone's beliefs are precious to them, and to try and rob themof the beliefs that keep them going in life, or that or mock them is just hateful.

I would do it again.

Blessings!
 
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ChristianCenturion

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Antoninus Verus said:
Would you defend the religion or religious views of a person who was not of your own religion? For instance, if someone was getting singled out because of thier religion, would you defend them if they were not your religion?

Depends on what is at issue, but I do that now generally speaking.
 
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Danhalen

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Allister said:
Even if that person was saying fundementalist right wing propaganda?

I would not defend the rights of a Nazi to the death.
I don't see why you wouldn't. If you can defend your right to your belief, how can you deny someone else the right to their own? I know you're a Brit, so I don't know what rights you are guaranteed. We do have freedom of speach here in the US. I would defend everyone's right to free speech to the death if I had to. The good thing about freedom of speech is, you get to hear the people you won't want to be around. By their words, you shall know them. We are only as free as the most opressed. Equal rights are equal rights. You can't cry foul only when it fits your need.
 
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Im_A

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Antoninus Verus said:
Would you defend the religion or religious views of a person who was not of your own religion? For instance, if someone was getting singled out because of thier religion, would you defend them if they were not your religion?

yes i would defend the rights of a person to believe what they want, and to not want that person to be singled out just because they are different? i may not agree with that person's views, but that doesn't give me the right in a free democratic society to hamper the rights of those who are not like me. and those people are just like human beings like me, who deserve to be treated with love. Do unto others as you would do unto yourself. it's pretty simple to me.
 
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Allister

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I don't see why you wouldn't. If you can defend your right to your belief, how can you deny someone else the right to their own? I know you're a Brit, so I don't know what rights you are guaranteed. We do have freedom of speach here in the US.

I don't see why you wouldn't. If you can defend your right to your belief, how can you deny someone else the right to their own?

I wouldn't defend a nazi persons beliefs because i think those ideas are wrong and dangerous. I'll defend the rights of that person, yes but i wont defend their right to say thyose things, never.
I wont defend their right and ill fight them for the right to stop them.

you mention the fact that i'm a Brit and I think most of our rights are the same, the human ones are anyway. But we're having trouble over here with the far far far right British National Party who are trying to get into government and are extremly violent and racist
(no matter how much they say and try and appear clean cut, i use my commonsense and ability to read between the lines)
I feel that we should not allow that sort of party the right to exercise thier beliefs and their attempt to propagate to us.
Rasict, bigoted, homophobic.....................................everything wrong and close minded.

I will never defend them. People with those ideologies are dangerous and if too many people are somehow convinced to think and behave in that manner.........well you can kiss democracy and peace goodbye.
 
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sanaa

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Antoninus Verus said:
Would you defend the religion or religious views of a person who was not of your own religion? For instance, if someone was getting singled out because of thier religion, would you defend them if they were not your religion?


sure . i would never side with the people discriminating and picking on someone because of their religion . everyone is entitled to their own religious views and i will defend the right of any person to follow and practise his own views ( as long as its not causing harm )
 
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Danhalen

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Allister said:
I will never defend them. People with those ideologies are dangerous and if too many people are somehow convinced to think and behave in that manner.........well you can kiss democracy and peace goodbye.
I am not asking you to defend anyones belief. I am asking you to defend their right to hold their belief. Just as your belief may be morally repugnant to another, they must allow you the right to hold that belief. If you truly find anothers belief to be abominable, I suggest you shout it from the mountain tops. Let them use their opinion to degrade themselves. Paint a picture of them in their own words. The best part about freedom of expression is the ability to notice the jerks with the loudest mouths. It is our obligation to educate others of our opinion if we do not want our detractors to hold sway. If the right wing whackos are bothering you, don't silence them, use their own words to damage them. If you disallow them the same right as you.........well you can kiss democracy and peace goodbye.
 
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Eudaimonist

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Antoninus Verus said:
Would you defend the religion or religious views of a person who was not of your own religion? For instance, if someone was getting singled out because of thier religion, would you defend them if they were not your religion?

Defend in what way? I would defend the rights of individuals to freedom of thought, belief, and conscience, but I would not defend some immoral religious practice, such as human sacrifice.

I wouldn't be defending their religion as such, but rather my own principles regarding the importance of freedom of the mind for individuals in society.
 
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Allister

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If you disallow them the same right as you.........well you can kiss democracy and peace goodbye.

:thumbsup: excellent


I don't want to stop people thinking what they choose, I'm a thought police officer, but People should not think the way they think. I agree with you, we must fight them, show others and themselves the errors of their ways.
Then I come to the situation where I'm defending their right to freedom of thought and expression but at the same time i am attacking these thoughts and expressions.

Europe was once ripe with 'right wing wackhos' and we must never allow that to happen again. Right wing parties like the BNP should not be allowed to run for seats.

I dont want to deny anyone the freedom to speech but when that speech is aimed at scared, young, indisicive white men telling them the only reason for their poverty and lack of education and fears is forigners...............and the only way to solve the problem is to segregate yourself off and deport all the 'darkies' and if you see someone who is different fight them.
That should not be allowed.

I'm unsure as to what i really think on this subject but I cannot see myself defending these people.
 
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Electric Skeptic

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It seems that most people are saying that they would defend the other person's right to hold their beliefs without being discriminated against for it. I feel the same way.

Ironically, this is precisely the behaviour that so many christians hate...look at the ACLU, vilified by many christians because they do precisely what is talked about in the OP.
 
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Hydra009

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Antoninus Verus said:
Would you defend the religion or religious views of a person who was not of your own religion? For instance, if someone was getting singled out because of thier religion, would you defend them if they were not your religion?
Yes, if I feel that person is being treated unfairly.

Plus, (and I'm certain other people do this as well) I may be more empathetic with some religions than with others. If say, a Deist was getting picked on, or someone who really worships Satan, there would a noticable difference in how I approach the situation.
 
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John812

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Opalina said:
Years ago, I worked with a lady who was a Jehovah's Witness. (Btw, I am not a Christian and never have been) She was very mellow about it, and all she asked was that any jokes that were circulated through email were not sent to her-they could be a bit off color! Instead of respecting that a few people in our department not only sent them to her (manager included!), they printed them out and laid them on her desk! It went from that to asking her inappropriate questions about her sex life and other ridicule. It was apparent how much this hurt her, and I couldnt stand watching it any longer.

Matthew 5:11-12

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven"


God Bless!
 
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