No. of Recommendations: 2
Fully agree and hope that is the prevailing wisdom.
I think on the left, it mostly is. On the right, it used to be. I doubt Reagan or Bush1 would have stifled their speech.
Though Bush1 was alleged to have said (I think it was a hot mike incident) that atheists shouldn't be considered Americans. I, of course, am an atheist. Other prominent personages have mused about locking us all in concentration camps. So I take to heart the Niemoller (don't know how to do the oomlaut):
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
I strongly disagree with all theism. But I will support their right to believe as they choose. And if they want to chant that atheists are doomed, or "death to America", or whatever...as long as it's not a direct threat (or libel/slander), I support their right to do that. Because, in return, I have the right to condemn their religion as utter nonsense, and even insult their savior or prophet or any other figure in whatever religion we're talking about. If I don't speak out for their rights, who will be left to speak out for mine?
