The Culture of Offendedness (CAUTION: Political/Religious Minefield)

[BigJohn]

WARNING: If you are easily offended by positions other than your own, leave this thread now.

There have been many politically charged discussions on this board over the year(s). Some people have gotten bent all out of shape and some have taken an extreme view and declared that some of us should not post or speak of certain matters. I don't think that that is going to happen anytime soon, at least I hope not.

I just ran across an article that I find very interesting. It concerns the perceived, societal "right to NOT be offended." It makes for a very interesting read.

Caution: This link will take you to an OVERTLY Christian website that may have some offensive words, thoughts or ideas to you. But, the article presents a very concise position on our (not just Christian) free speech rights.

http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/1414727.html

Comments? Discussion? Tolerance?

Nothing like stirring up the pot.

[Billy D.]

BigJohn, I could comment on this subject, but what I would say would start a great big arguement. But I will say on my behalf, I beleive in God and accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. No one can sway me on this in the least. If this OFFENDS anyone, then we'll get over it.

[trikebubble]

You're such a troublemaker John. I knew it the second I met you.

As far as my views go, they tend to be "different" than a lot of others (well others who voice them anyways). I'll keep them to myself right now, I'm atwork and don't really have the time to defend myself as it always seems to happen.

I will say this however. I remember reading a famous quote once, can't remember who but it was Lincoln, or Ghandi, or Churchill or somebody.

It went kinda like this: If I make a freind of my enemy, he is no longer an enemy.

[Tod]

I believe that I have the right to let it all just roll right off my back and live my life without letting the little stuff get to me.

The people that get offended all the time by these (IMHO) insignificant things are really just showing everyone that they don't have any real serious problems in their lives to actually worry about.

"Don't sweat the petty things... and don't pet the sweaty things." - George Carlin

[Tweek]

Not nearly offensive enough.

Maybe this will work better: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...label%3Amonkey

[pitchinguy]

Excellant remarks already!

It's simple really! I'll believe what I wanna believe & you believe what you wanna believe.
Now, be happy....dammit!






http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp...p=ZNxdm801YYUS

[BikerBeagle]

Just so long as everyone admits that I'm right all the time, I don't get offended.

[Billy D.]

Fair enough BikerBeagle.

[BigJohn]

The point of the article is that many in this world, esepcially our society, bet bent way out of shape if someone, heaven forbid, has an opinion or beliefe system contrary to theirs. That's what this whole "tollerance" and "diversity" thing is about.

We need to celebrate the diversity of our society. To acknowledge it, and to learn from those differences. However, we do not have to accept those differences within our lives. That acknowledgement and learning is the kernal of tolerance.

The root word for tolerance is tolerate.

WordNet defines tolerate as a verb, an action. v 1: put up with something or somebody unpleasant; "I cannot bear his constant criticism"; "The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks"; "he learned to tolerate the heat"; "She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage" [syn: digest, endure, stick out, stomach, bear, stand, support, brook, abide, suffer, put up] 2: recognize and respect (rights and beliefs of others); "We must tolerate the religions of others" 3: have a tolerance for a poison or strong drug or pathogen; "The patient does not tolerate the anti-inflammatory drugs we gave him" 4: allow the presence of or allow (an activity) without opposing or prohibiting; "We don't allow dogs here"; "Children are not permitted beyond this point"; "We cannot tolerate smoking in the hospital" [syn: allow, permit]

We don't have to agree with each other, all the time. But, we do need to respect the opinions and beliefs of one another at all times. Our failure to tolerate opinions, religions and beliefs of others will result in the loss of the freedoms that we hold so dear.

[Tweek]

Sorry big guy, but this just isn't all that controversial for me. Today a bunch of bible thumping god smoockers are complaining that their right to free expression is under assault under the banner of 'tolerance'. That just makes me laugh, b/c back before it was the liberals whining about the same thing. Only difference is that the tables have turned. Its just too damn rich.

It is all just one long cosmic giggle.

However, what does concern me is this whole social security crap. I cannot efing believe how much of my money goes to pay for some old fart to sit around and drink butter milk while I work my @ss off. It is such a load of sh!t. Just another great example of how socialism has managed to f everybody over. I wish Marx would have died instead of his wife. Sniveling little ***.

And don’t even get me started and those tree hugging moon bats wearing Che' Guevara t-shirts. That guy has killed more South Americans than any dozen drug cartels in fifty years. More sniveling ***s.


peace out

[D-Day]

The only thing that annoys me is ignorance. I don't care about religious views, sexual orientation, or yadda. Only thing that really bothers me are people in favor of gun control. Anti-freedom freaks. I agree with Tweek though; I can't stand people who wear those Che shirts thinking it's cool. And neo-Nazi's...I'd love to hit one of them in the mouth once or twice. Okay, perhaps there's a few more people I don't like besides anti-freedom types.

Although, I have a funny article relating to tolerance and such. "We Are Unitarian Jihad"

[Illus]

I typed a sentence, then deleted it, so as not to offend... Then thought about it. So here it is.
Being someone who does not believe in God, or accept JC as a Savior does not give me the right to do many things. One of the least, capatilize the spelling of God, cause Websters does.
Personally I am, like I said, a non-believer, but I have no reason to complain about the In God We Trust, or the Commandments, or the Pledge.
I think people created God, as a threat to keep people in line, (divine punishment), and when that quit working, created the police.
I have way to much other crap going on in my life to worry about a religous symbol, or the lack of one, offending me.

Good article though!

[ervins]

I let the person determine whether I like them or not.

[Scruffy]

If you want to never be offended, than don't hang around me...

Don't come in my shop, since I'll spell it out to you why you are being a complete and total a$$, why your bike sucks, why you shouldn't be on a bike, etc. You ride your machine, your way, I'll ride mine, my way.

Prostheletize to me, and I'll hand you your head. I'm pagan, deal with it. I had enough monotheistic mythology crammed down my throat in high school (Jesuit college preparatory, thank you very much). If you enjoy your religious practices, great...that's your "right" as an American. How's about letting me get on with mine?

I have rather extreme political views. I may not agree with yours, but, I don't have to.

Right not to be offended? People should be glad they have the right to GET offended...more of the PC pansification of the citizenry of the "deluded states of armchairica", land of the free (ride to any breeder not born here), home of the depraved (watched the news lately, enough said).
-Scruffy

[Tod]

^^ *gasp*

I'm offended!



*not really, please don't let the scary man hurt me...I'll be good*

[Scruffy]

I can always count on Tod...
-Scruffy

[sdbrit68]

the article refers to mt soledad, I used to live across from it. The thing about symbols, is they are nothing but that.
the american flag is nothing but a piece of cloth, I give it power by what it means to me personally, and other like wise individuals.

the cross is nothing but wood or stone, the people who believe in what it represents, give it meaning and power.

I guess if you dont subscribe to the same beliefs, then it is just a piece of wood

People are just getting stupid anymore about their rights, its this I am important and entitled thing that is getting worse.

people dont care about their neighbors or neighborhood anymore, its all about them and what they want.......someone will always be offended by something

I will state its not everywhere yet, but all of us see it a lot i bet

[Ninjeff]

Originally Posted by Tweek

It is all just one long cosmic giggle.

Somehow, in all of this...throughout everything thats been posted here, there, and everywhere, and despite my disagreance with some stuff.....

I dont think there has ever been a more true and concise statement than this. I just dont think any other combination of words could describe it so well.

"Just one long cosmic giggle."

Perfect.

[2WheelFun]

People must be diverse...they call me their friend.

[Mr_Lycos]

Oh sure, If I'm offended by a cross, or a menhorra, or some other thing its "tough luck" for me, go deal with it. But If I built a 12 foot tall statue of Satan on my lawn with a three foot erection that has a goat head on the end of it, you can be certain these "don't get so offended" types will be the first to try and have me arrested for it.