Where does freedom of speech end and censorship begin?

Question

For example; a website set up for a racial groups to discuss their ideas and beliefs, should they be banned from using racial epithets? Sites that discuss a particular religion , can they not say things against others beliefs ,just in case someone from a different religion may be monitoring the site and become offended. Does anyone really have free speech or should they have it ? What do you think?

Answer 1

The GOVERNMENT may not ban speech. A website host can. The owner of a company can.

The first amendment protects the rights of anyone that wants to say something that is not popular. That is the intent.

Answer 2

when it infringes on the rights of another.

Answer 3

free speech is free only as long as it brings no harm to others. You cant go in a bank and yell "this is a stick up" then laugh, you will still get busted. But it is a fact that many of our guaranteed rights are now a thing of the past. I can't use the language or descriptive adjutives that I was given as a child.It is a problem when one group can use the noun or adjutive ****** while I am restricted.I don't use that word anyway, but I get offended when a guy next to me can use it and get a laugh, but if I say it then I'm called  a racist.We are being censored by a small group who give a thing a name and turn it into a real scenerio.

Answer 4

You do not have the right to not be offended by somebody else!

They can say what they want. There can be no legal consequences. That does not mean there can not be social consequences (bad press, etc).

Answer 5

"Isn't it sad that Pym Fontaine was murdered"

Pym Fortaine was mudered for standing up for his rights as a g*y man, he was mudered for speaking out against a culture that would have him mudered. Am I wrong for speaking out at a culture that wants to see me subjugated? Apparently so, yet advocatesof this culture are allowed to silence me.  

Answer 6

An easy way to remember it:

You have the right to voice your opinions.

You do not have the right to voice your opinions standing in my front yard (I can make you leave).

When using someone else's property to serve as a platform for your opinions those people are free to stop you...it is their platform.  Your option is to buy your own web server and host it yourself.

Answer 7

People really do have free speech but it has some limitations. Racial remarks are protected by the first Amendment. Things such as death threats or speaking about harming people is not protected. You will be surprised how many things we can say to a cop and not get in trouble for it.

Answer 8

Censorship should start when action or threat of action is apparent.

For example, I can say I do not like people who like cats.  That is my freedom of speech.  I can also say people who like cats are stupid (freedom of speech, but every narrow minded).

However if I announce that anyone else who does not like people who likes cats should make the cat lovers suffer by stealing their door mats, that is where it becomes a censorship issue.  

Also, if I say I don't like people who like cats so I will punch them in the eye when I see them, that is also where it can become a censorship issue.  There is also issue in regards to the last two examples if I am insighting voilence or a hate crime.  

What I am thinking cannot be censored.  What I am doing or what can be perceived as what I intend to do can be censored.

(btw - I happen to love cats - it's just an example)

Answer 9

Freedom of speech is there for you to express your opinions on things that affect you.  It is not there for you to degrade or put down anyone because their beliefs insult you.  Your protection and the protection of your country allows for freedom of speech.  The problem you are seeing today is that a religion is now flexing its muscle as a political enemy of the United States.  If that religion is calling for the destruction of the United States. then so be it. That is not the Freedom of speech allowed on our soil.  That is facsism that should be killed.  Our freedom of speech against that religion will be followed by action.  We see that going on today.  That is why you are not having bomb shelter training as we did in the 60's.  You take medicine to kill a disease don't you?  What's the difference?  

On the other hand we also have Socialism  being raised by people that have made billions of dollars from American Citizens, and are now backing the socialist ideas that have always been our enemy.  This is for control of the United States and billionaires like George Soros know it.  So we are now fighting on two fronts once again.  One away from our country and one that it eating at us like that cancer that takes our freinds and family from us before their time.  Citizens Unite, for we are in danger!  Pick your political candidate, with a little study, based on which one will stay the farthest away from socialism.  That leaves no  choice !

Answer 10

Free Speech also ends with common sense where safety is involved. You do not have freedom from the law to yell "FIRE!" in a crowded theater.