Freedom of speech

Freedom to say what you will. There are some limits to that.

[quiote]Is freedom of speech the freedom to lie?[/quote]

Yes, in most cases. It is illegal to lie in certain circumstances, but usually, it's not.

Yep, providing it doesn't incite to illegal acts.

Absolutely.

If so, about 98% of all advertising in this country is illegal, and about 100% of all political advertising is.

The Constitution provides freedom of all speech. It is not illegal to lie, except under specific circumstances. You're right that it's not part of Christian morality, though. The fouinders correctly understood that the law is not to make us moral.

 

Its very important to realize that the only speech that would need to be protected by government is that which is offensive to someone. Nobody complains about speech that everyone likes to hear. However, humans, by nature can choose to say anything, offensive or otherwisel; truth or lie; inciting or benign. The first amendment acknowledges our natural freedom and protects that.

 

There is no absolute freedom!

Companies and Commercials are liable for false advertising. Labels on medication or viatamins do have certain standards to meet. You cannot scream "fire" in a theatre. You cannot slander someone without possibility of penalty. Most communities have a limit on loud noises after a certain time in residential areas. etc.


I understand where El_Guero is going though. In many cases there should be more regulation with speech. Maybe it is not so much "regulation" of speech as it is "accountability" with speech.

Sure you can play your car stereo screaming out vulgarities, but should such be an absolute right? Or do I have a right in not having to hear such vulgarities blaring out and in protecting my children from it? There should be some balance.
:wavey:

 

I agree with Lagardo, that it is offensive speech that needs protection, as there is no outcry to censor popular speech. Ralph, you are correct about limitations, such as slander, libel, etc. However, limits on speech should be VERY few. We don't have a right to not be offended. If everytime speech offended anyone, we'd soon have no free speech left at all. After all, some consider the gospel message offensive.

 

How are you going to stop the politicians from lying? Is it a lie if they believe what they say?

 

If a politicians lies in the woods and no one is there to hear him, does he make a sound? :tongue3:

 

Depends on how long he's been lying there.

 

I am not calling for more regulations on speech and agree such should be carefully weighed.

But the fact is there are regulations on speech and conduct. So the notion, when people scream "they will regulate all speech" if we allow some speech regulations, is hollow.
The argument that they will take away some religious freedom's with additional regulations is also null. As religious freedom's have been under attack for decades now by certain groups. Which have been able to introduce legislation contrary to the founding of this Nation and contrary to the vast majority.

The problem may not be so much the freedom of speech as with the accountability of speech. If you want to give a lecture in public, OK. But I don't think a lecture in public full of vulgarity, hate language, and a insidious manner, should be without penalty.

There can be standards.:wavey:

 

That's more of a smell....

 

That depends on exactly what in woods he is lying on... grass, underbrush, a blanket, an ant bed.

 

If someone truly believes what they say, even if it is not true, they will pass a lie detector test.

Also, lie detectors are incredibly easy to beat.

 

Ironically, honest people are easiest to catch, because they have a conscience. Truly amoral people tend to get through lie detector tests.

 

Lying is not a part of freedom...

Lying is not a part of freedom, but we do have the freedom to lie.

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

True freedom does involve truth. But, to answer your question as human beings with a free will, we have the freedom to lie...but freedom does not always mean morally right.

With freedom, there is always consequences. Some good, some bad. You must choose how you will use your freedoms.

 

Islamofascists, such as the Taliban, certainly don't believe in freedom of speech.

 

Neither do Christofascists.