Every religion makes a truth claim; in a civil society people may disagree with the truth claim, but they should fervently respect and even fight for the right of the person to make that claim. I am strongly opposed to restraints on free expression, whether imposed by law or by politically correct pressures.
So where is the line between free speech and offending another person's religion? In a free society we should be free to criticize, challenge, dispute, or disagree, but always with civility, recognizing that the other person holds his or her religious convictions as deeply as I hold mine.
Humor and satire are fair game -- reasonable ways to communicate in a free society -- but something which denigrates or belittles a believer or his convictions about the sacred is, at the least, bad taste and a needless offense.
Please e-mail On Faith if you'd like to receive an email notification when On Faith sends out a new question.
Email Me | Del.icio.us | Digg | Facebook


