Censorship of opinion - a slippery road to tyranny

Since I posted this article I have watched a speech by Rowan Atkinson. His speech completely sums up how we should be tackling the issue of the right to free speech. Please listen to it - it is worth listening to. 

Are we in danger of sacrificing free speech on the altar of political correctness?

Surely to classify someone's opinion as a hate crime just because we do not agree with it, is Orwellian to say the least. 

So long as the people do not care to exercise their freedom, those who wish to tyrannise will do so; for tyrants are active and ardent, and will devote themselves in the name of any number of gods, religious and otherwise, to put shackles on sleeping men. Voltaire

If you want to know who controls you, look at who you are not allowed to criticise. Voltaire

Wikipedia entry on Voltaire


Voltaire lived at a time when you had to be very careful about what you said. But he still exercised his right to free speech, even though it was potentially dangerous to do so, because he believed that freedom of speech was fundamental to a civilised society. 

He is also attributed with the saying, 'I disprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.'

If you look at our modern world, and the countries who ban any opposition to the establishment that rules them, are those countries to be considered civilised? Or do we rightly put them in the category of barbarians? 

So why is it then that often in so called civilised countries, the majority are being gagged for fear of offending the minority? Is it only for the ability to say we are 'civilised'? Or is there a more sinister agenda? One that wishes to shackle the ordinary citizen's ability to protest about anything that is not acceptable to the establishment.

Whilst it is important to defend the beliefs of others, and to protect the right to their holding that belief, is it not also equally important that a reasoned argument against those beliefs should be heard?

Democracy is the cornerstone to the freedom of a nation's people. And with democracy comes the right to express one's opinion - no matter what.

To undermine democracy, and the freedom to disagree with others is a treasure that should never be lost. Allow it to happen and the chances of getting those freedoms back is near impossible. 

All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing  - quotation by Edmund Burke.

Made famous in a speech by John F. Kennedy.

Thank you for reading this post. I value your opinion. I may not agree with it - but I cherish your right to express it.


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