Quote Originally Posted by Alpha View Post
I generally hate debates on gay marriage (for example) because people make sweeping generalisations about people's positions.
That's what I was hoping to avoid and combat with my post. It's one thing to be Fred Phelps (if you notice, very few people had a problem with him until his congregation started picketting the funerals of soldiers; he did it to GLBT people first). It's a completely seperate thing entirely to say it's a sin because it says to in certain English translations of the Bible. I don't have a problem with leaders teaching there flocks that being a GLBT person is sinful. They are well within their religious freedom to do so. I think it's a misguided way to view the Bible, and I will say I disagree with it. However, when they use their speech to back up initiatives to keep people from being equal (as in, fighting anti-discrimination in jobs, housing, and public accommodations), then I have a problem with it. Especially if they bring up slippery slope arguments about pedophilia, zoophilia, or toasters (ALWAYS WITH THE DAMN TOASTERS! lol).

So... I guess I'm tired of seeing free speech only being a one way street, and I'm tired of people thinking that they don't have to be accountable for their words. To my understanding, in ancient Greece, it was a crime to back down from a public debate. I don't think we should go that far, but I think it would be nice if people would stop saying things they have to backpedal away from. As in "I didn't really mean that I want to put GLBT people in electric fences, what I meant was..." I mean, if anyone on any issue says something stupid, and they are called on it, they should at least have the intestinal fortitude to stand up and say "Yeah, I was stupid," and move on with their lives. They'd at least get a little more respect, I think.