Freedom of Speech is important to protect the freedom of people to express themselves without worrying about consequences for unintentional offense.

The one that stands out in my mind is the cartoons of Mohammed, which I believe ARE designed to offend. While I have mixed views about this, we must be allowed the freedom to express religious and political views, and people WILL be offended. Most can shrug it off, but it seems that the cartoons of Mohammed in particular motivate the extreme followers of that religion to use terrorist attacks to exterminate those that offend them. They seem to think they have a “God given right” to exterminate anyone that doesn’t follow their religion, which I believe is dangerous.

I believe in Christianity, but I don’t believe in shoving my beliefs in anyones face, or holding them to biblical standards. If they are interested, they will ask, otherwise, I focus on trying to treat those around me with as much more respect than my gut tells me to. It’s not easy.

I see offensive material aimed at Christianity often, but I feel that people’s freedom to express what they believe is as sacred as what I believe, and “I’ll fight to the death, for your right to say it”

Slander is completely different in that it is making false claims about a person’s character or life. That is, and always should be, illegal.

Does someone have the right to slander another online? Not really. What if true? Still, no. What if the public should be aware? If that were true it would be the responsibility of the relevant authorities to decide.