Spiritually speaking, is absolute right of free speech always the correct or best thing?

Question

Or should it be subjective? As a Canadian, a country with anti-hate speech legislation and no constitutional right to free speech, I was not surprised to read the following:

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=769679

I personally agree with this, but thought my southern neighbours might feel differently.

So what do you think....can free speech be too free, or should it be weighed against the damage it can pose to another?

Answer 1

I love the regulations Canada puts on "free speech." The rights and freedoms of one person should never be allowed to put down another, or infringe on their rights.  

Answer 2

Its a balancing act.  Cities have rights to pass ordinance laws that restrict certain activity, but then you have to be careful not to violate the concept of free speech.

There is no absolute free speech in the US.  Even protesters need to get permits to hold rallies and protests.  

Free speech can be too free and that is why there are restrictions like hate speech laws and permits for protests and not screaming things that could put public safety at risk or not lying about someone that might do them economic damage.

You have to balance the rights of citizens.  Sometimes a right goes so far that it can step on the rights of another person and then you have to figure out a compromise btwn the two.

Answer 3

"The act makes it an offence to engage in sidewalk interference, protest, beset, physically interfere with or attempt to intimidate a patient or doctor who provides abortion services within a 50 metre "access zone" around a clinic."

I agree with everything, except protesting.  People have the right to protest on public grounds.  I see it as limiting freedom of expression and erosion of a healthy democracy.  

There is a cost with freedom of speech--not everyone will agree with you.  If you cannot tolerate different viewpoints, then liberty is not your cup of tea.

Answer 4

Actually, there is no "absolute right of free speech." Even in the US, you can't purposefully incite riots or yell "Fire!" in a public area, such as a theater. You basically can't do anything that might result in injuries.

But I agree with people not being able to protest against people at the abortion clinics. And anyone trying to do so should be taken out into the street and beaten with a wet noodle, ramen.

Maybe you should give me 30 seconds to finish answering the question.

Answer 5

I agree with the statement but only in that it would only work on paper- if we were to only show intolerance to the truly intolerable...  My only questions that I would have would be where the line is drawn and who decides.  

Answer 6

There are limits. For instance, If I know some sensitive information that could jeopardize national security (like the name of a CIA operative), I shouldn't be able to go around speaking that knowledge freely. Slander is another example that should limit free speech.

But I personally think slander and liable as well as fraud should be used more to limit free speech that causes problems that it shouldn't.

Answer 7

In so much that free speech can be slanderous, or libel, hateful, malicious, and just down and out evil.  It should be used appropriately.  Not as far as politically correct, but in love.

Answer 8

As long as the "bubble zone" law described in your link is applied to all protests, I have no problem with it. But if it is applied only in cases that politically support the view of the party in power then it is merely suppressing an opposing point of view. To me, the law cannot discriminate.  

Answer 9

There was a time when I thought of Canada as a friend and neighbor,and traveled there yearly. Not so now Your socialistic govt is getting closer to communism each year, and im afraid your friends are going to be north of you soon

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Answer 10

No not really, look at Phelps for one and the smear campaigns that occur during elections.

Besides for all the harping on America does about it's freedom it only has a certain amount of it.