[ecshafer]

>I've heard lot of Americans defending that line as if "freedom of speech" was literally an unconditional universal right given by God to the human race.

Freedom of speech is an unconditional universal right given by God to the human race. The government taking away your rights does not mean those rights do not intrinsically exist.

>It's illegal and punishable by law to be openly homophobic in France.

And Voltaire would be rolling in his grave.

[lm28469]

> And Voltaire would be rolling in his grave.

I don't think you have read much Voltaire by the way, he was very much pro tolerance and anti hate. People love to brandish "freedom of speech" without understanding neither its history nor its meaning.

It's almost comically opposed to hate speech actually, let Voltaire out of this.

I wouldn't be surprised if the only thing you know about Voltaire is this misattributed quote that everybody like to parade with:

> I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

[lm28469]

> Freedom of speech is an unconditional universal right given by God to the human race.

Which God ?

Do you also complain about the government taking your rights away when they tell you not to drive the wrong way on the interstate after drinking half a bottle of vodka ?

[fghfghfghfghfgh]

You're conflating the right to express oneself with the right to act violently. Those two are not the same hence the same logic does not apply.

[xyzzy_plugh]

Do you not believe expression can be violent? That's what this is about. Expression that harms people.

[fghfghfghfghfgh]

I make a distinction between physical violence and what you refer to as harm.

I do not believe people must be protected from harm in that manner. Words can be hurtful but they do not directly kill of cause injury.

Suppose this very discussion was causing you harm, as you define it, would that make it illegal to even discuss the topic?