After I had this up and ready to go live a few semesters ago, the attack and sho

Question

After I had this up and ready to go live a few semesters ago, the attack and shooting at the Garland events center happened. A woman, Pamela Geller, hosted a "Draw a Cartoon of Muhammad" contest. Two guys decided that they didn't like that, and in response they attacked (unsuccessfully) with assault weapons. The attack just points up the importance of this topic. So because this event was so close to home, I'm even more interested in how this discussion goes. Other than this intro I've left the Discussion Board as it was....

Freedom of speech is one of the bedrock principles of American democracy. But how far should free speech be protected?

Many people in America and around the world were horrified by the attacks on the Charlie Hebdo magazine in France. That attack was a response to perceived disrespect for a religious belief. Some expressed outrage that "just drawing a cartoon" could be answered by a murderous attack. Others were outraged at the content of the cartoons and either expressed complete sympathy with the attackers or said "No, the cartoonists shouldn't have been killed, but they really shouldn't have drawn those disrespectful cartoons, either."

A little closer to home, we have people whose freedom of speech is being challenged as well:
- The Westboro Baptist Church has been repeatedly challenged for its protests at events including funerals of American soldiers in which their aggressively expressed message is that God is justifiably punishing America for tolerating homosexuality.
- The Ku Klux Klan (and I'll include a link you may not want to click on -- it's graphic -- to a current Klan site because it's part of the real world we live in today) here that has been attacked for spreading its message that ethnic, cultural and religious minorities are inferior and should be banned or eliminated.
- On college campuses, groups have stolen print runs of college newspapers that contain an objectionable (to the protesters) editorial message.
- Lawmakers have proposed legislation that some say criminalizes even peaceful protest.
- Numerous people have lost their jobs or their reputations over tweets or Facebook updates that were perceived to be insensitive or insulting.

These issues are not limited to the U.S., of course. Some say (and others vehemently deny) the Obama White House supported action at the United Nations that would encourage criminalization of disrespectful speech directed at religions.

I'm sure you can think of other examples of free speech controversies.

How far should free speech be allowed to extend? I'm not talking about legally proscribed speech like joking about bombs at the airport, but about speech that is "merely" offensive or insulting or politically radical. Is it OK to insult religious beliefs? If we can't mock or insult someone's beliefs, do we really have free speech?

I'll be interested to hear what you have to say!

Explanation / Answer

Freedom always comes with a responsibility and it should not be taken for granted in any manner. Whenever the the line of freedom is crossed irresponsibly, it has hurted someone, it could be an ethinic minority or the majority sentiments, causing distrust among the members of society and creating a hostile environment. So, most importantly all our rights and freedom should be handled with care and at the other side of this freedom is our duties, and whenever the duty part is neglected while using the freedom of speech, it has caused troubles. So, it essential to consider and think for our responsibilities while using our freedom of speech.

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