The freedom of speech
I wanted to write about something that has been escalating in the news for quite a while now. Many people have different opinions on this (That's okay!) , so i just wanted to share mine and maybe inform some of you on this subject.
So I read a news article today, which was titled "What are the limits of freedom of speech?". To summarize the article; It spoke about a mass shooting which happened in January 2015 against a french magazine company. 12 cartoonists and journalists were murdered by two men, who identified themselves as belonging to the Islamist terrorist group. They presumably didn't like that a magazine was mocking their religion/belief, so took it upon themselves to show this.
This article uses this particular incident as an example to explore freedom of speech and if there is any limits. The pope has told journalists that he thinks nobody should be murdered over their opinion, but there is a limit to how freely you can speak.
Here is the link, if you're interested in reading it for yourselves.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-32627158
Here in the United Kingdom,we're known worldwide for our respect and tolerance against freedom of speech. We take it as normal part of our lives and most of us probably take that for granted without realizing. In a lot of countries they live under dictatorship where they are told how to think/speak a certain way and would risk their lives if they spoke out of this. So that shows how Freedom of speech differs throughout the world, but how does it differ in your life?
Some people may have a very strong opinion on this, others not so much, but I think we should respect everybody's opinions and let them broaden our own thinking. So personally, I love that we're all allowed to have our own opinions as it makes the world a lot more interesting. Through hearing other peoples opinions, it helps me develop more of an understanding and perhaps lets me see it from a different perspective. This then means my knowledge and thinking can be wider, which is always a good thing right? Having said all this, I can understand how hard it can be to see somebody else's opinion when you're set in your own ways. I think this is the main problem with why speaking out how you feel can turn so nasty. If we all had the mindset that we're all allowed our own opinions, BUT so is everybody else then I think the world would be in a better position. Also people getting mixed up between opinion and fact is where arguments appear. An opinion can NEVER be wrong, unless it is based of a false fact. Now let me, reiterate the word fact. A fact is something that can be proven to be true. So if you're in an argument with somebody and you disagree with their opinion, yet their opinion is backed up with facts then they can't be wrong. Whether you see it like that or not is very different, but that's just how it is i'm afraid.
So I guess if you're going to take anything from this ramble, it would be to listen to somebody elses opinion and let it widen your knowledge and thinking. This is in no way saying you have to then agree with them, but if you're accepting you have different opinions then that's a step in the right direction. Also don't take this the way that you have to just accept something that you believe is factually wrong. If you're unsure then just ask them for their evidence and you may be surprised and might learn something from them. So also be sure to challenge as you could be doing them a favor, but do it in a respectful manor.
So I read a news article today, which was titled "What are the limits of freedom of speech?". To summarize the article; It spoke about a mass shooting which happened in January 2015 against a french magazine company. 12 cartoonists and journalists were murdered by two men, who identified themselves as belonging to the Islamist terrorist group. They presumably didn't like that a magazine was mocking their religion/belief, so took it upon themselves to show this.
This article uses this particular incident as an example to explore freedom of speech and if there is any limits. The pope has told journalists that he thinks nobody should be murdered over their opinion, but there is a limit to how freely you can speak.
Here is the link, if you're interested in reading it for yourselves.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-32627158
Here in the United Kingdom,we're known worldwide for our respect and tolerance against freedom of speech. We take it as normal part of our lives and most of us probably take that for granted without realizing. In a lot of countries they live under dictatorship where they are told how to think/speak a certain way and would risk their lives if they spoke out of this. So that shows how Freedom of speech differs throughout the world, but how does it differ in your life?
Some people may have a very strong opinion on this, others not so much, but I think we should respect everybody's opinions and let them broaden our own thinking. So personally, I love that we're all allowed to have our own opinions as it makes the world a lot more interesting. Through hearing other peoples opinions, it helps me develop more of an understanding and perhaps lets me see it from a different perspective. This then means my knowledge and thinking can be wider, which is always a good thing right? Having said all this, I can understand how hard it can be to see somebody else's opinion when you're set in your own ways. I think this is the main problem with why speaking out how you feel can turn so nasty. If we all had the mindset that we're all allowed our own opinions, BUT so is everybody else then I think the world would be in a better position. Also people getting mixed up between opinion and fact is where arguments appear. An opinion can NEVER be wrong, unless it is based of a false fact. Now let me, reiterate the word fact. A fact is something that can be proven to be true. So if you're in an argument with somebody and you disagree with their opinion, yet their opinion is backed up with facts then they can't be wrong. Whether you see it like that or not is very different, but that's just how it is i'm afraid.
So I guess if you're going to take anything from this ramble, it would be to listen to somebody elses opinion and let it widen your knowledge and thinking. This is in no way saying you have to then agree with them, but if you're accepting you have different opinions then that's a step in the right direction. Also don't take this the way that you have to just accept something that you believe is factually wrong. If you're unsure then just ask them for their evidence and you may be surprised and might learn something from them. So also be sure to challenge as you could be doing them a favor, but do it in a respectful manor.
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