JP –
A cartoonist, unlike a a violent extremist, can innocently claim, “But these are just harmless cartoons, only a lunatic would take offence, let alone seek to ban them”. But make no mistake, cartoons are a political tool since the days of Thomas Nast, and they merit our intellectual attention.
Recently some atheists at the LSE Freshers day were asked by university authorities to remove T-shirts depicting the Prophets Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them both) sharing a beer together. Well, to be more exact, they were asked to remove “Jesus and Mo” cartoon t-shirts, where “Jesus” is depicted as a cartoon caricature of the real Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) and “Mo” is ostensibly a ‘body double’ of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Such conflicts are proliferating, and present an interesting challenge to our democratic society in the UK: do atheists have the right to offend Muslims?
On the face of it, this may seem a simple question, and most people probably will start reading this article with a fixed opinion on the issue. But it’s actually a rather complicated question!
The European Convention of Human Rights guarantees freedom of expression in Article 10 of that Convention. However, like all fundamental rights, it recognises exceptions. Particularly relevant exceptions in this instance are for the purpose of preventing social disorder, of protecting morals, and protecting the reputation or the rights of others.
Additional Reading
Freedom of Speech: A Core Islamic Value!
A Critique of President Obama’s UN Speech
A challenge for Dawkins: Where did carbon come from?
The Muslim Times’ Editor’s comments
Article 10 of European Convention of Human Rights provides the right to freedom of expression, subject to certain restrictions that are “in accordance with law” and “necessary in a democratic society”. This right includes the freedom to hold opinions, and to receive and impart information and ideas, but allows restrictions for:
- interests of national security
- territorial integrity or public safety
- prevention of disorder or crime
- protection of health or morals
- protection of the reputation or the rights of others
- preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence
- maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary
Categories: ATHEISM, CHRISTIANITY, Europe, Freedom, Islam
Sure lets just ban everything anyone finds offensive im sure there will be tons to do.
The answer is simple. You may offend and caricaturate whatever idea you want, but you may not offend people. Showing Mohamed with a 9 year old girl or anything like that, is ridiculing the IDEA not living individuals.
The problem with ‘offensive anything’ not being allowed is that everything, literally everything, offends someone.
The restriction on depictions is, unfortunately,
A: Not something the average non-Moslem can easily wrap their head around.
B: An easy target for those who seek to mock.
Violent responses only spur further examples of the offense, for the simple reason that it gets a reaction. Some people just can’t wrap their head around the fact that it is a tenet of the Islamic religion that they’re poking at like some open sore.
Respect for people must be earned by said person.
Beliefs do NOT.
How about we reverse this question. Do theists have the right to offend atheists? Or how about do wolves have to kill sheep? This entire question is absolutely silly in my opinion. Everyone has the right to free thought no matter what it is.
Believe in what ever you want to. It don’t bother me none. Shove your beliefs down my throat and then we’re gonna have to tussle. Thems just the bricks of the matter. I won’t make you believe something you don’t and I expect the same in return.
If you don’t want to be offended there’s only two ways of making that happen. Become a hermit or just die. Sorry but not everyone in the world is going to agree with everyone on everything. So why even worry about it?
Does a drawing of something truly offend one so much that there has to be protests, riots or bombs going off over it? Absolutely not. Get off the high horses and realize that everyone is just a person, exactly like you are. It’s really not that damn hard.
Well, let’s make the question more universal: do I have a right to express an opinion if it might offend some other person?
If we answer yes, than the same answer applies to the question you’ve asked – yes, atheists have the right to offend muslims.
Now if we answer no, everything get much more complicated. You see, there’s a very real chance, that ANY opinion will offend someone. In fact I feel quite offended by this article, as it implies that it is acceptable to limit my rights to the free speech. So do you have the right to publish such articles which I find offensive? In fact, I believe that yes, you have. I am consistent in my views, that freedom of expression cannot be limited just because somebody dislikes what you are saying or finds it “offensive”.
Now if you think that it is acceptable to limit the freedom of speech in order not to offend anyone, then you have to agree that you do not have right to publish this article which offends me. Unless of course you choose not to be consistent and think that muslims deserve special treatment and special protection of their feelings while everybody’s else feelings can be offended at will. But you will probably agree that this is not a strong position to defend.
I’m an atheist, and I find the Qur’an offensive. how about we ban the Qur’an from publication? Then I will stop offending Muslims. That sounds like a good compromise to me. What do you think?
Freedom of expression is only a threat to those who would restrict discussion and criticism. Who do the religious think they are, not to have their opinions questioned and discussed? Without such discussion, how would you know that your views are correct, or are you just going on the authority of someone who is beyond question? How do you know that person is beyond question and not some crazy person who’s point of view is harmful to society? If you question the opinion of anyone then you have to allow all opinions to be questioned. If you can not do that, then you have to remove yourself from the debate.
“If your faith can move mountains, then it should be able to withstand critism ”
— Ruben2287
(reddit)
I think its ok when someone is making a point. e.g. if someone cannot even have an open debate about a specific religion without getting death threats, you should take a look at your religeon.
Their is no right to be not offended because you cannot control if someone will be offended or not.
This person inst trolling to piss Muslims and Christians off, he is trying to bring to society how serious and crazy these two religions are becoming in society. Just Look at america and look at alsharia law.
So, nothing can be said against islam, or question its ethics ,and motives.
Thats astounding, you cant even believe in your own religion, and are not willing to let it be tested with questions.
Rayiza is so concerned, that he would have any words against islam to be hate mongering…made illegal, and a crime. WHAT ?
Words scare you that much?,,is your god really damaged by little words?
Another simple example…i see claims of “peace, harmony and a better understanding”…expressed in a way, to lay claim that islam makes these things happen…..and yet, in the article from this site
http://www.themuslimtimes.org/2013/02/religion/islam/prophet-mohammad-saws-letters-to-various-kings
quote “If you reject this invitation, then the sin of the denial of all your people will rest on your head.”
Thats a direct threat to the people of the land…”you dump your god, follow mine, or all your people will suffer anything i say my god told me”
Not exactly “peace, harmony and better understanding”
Once you can read you own book, and admit to its good and bad parts, then you can at least defend the inevitable questions that arise, and have answers that you believe. You will not convince others till you have convinced yourself.
Why is being offensive the requirement for if something should or should not be allowed. Who choses what merits offence? If there is a religious view offensive to an atheist, would that be stopped? Freedom of expression does not negatively impact another person any more than a different favorite color.
Why focus on limiting ideas, thoughts, and speech. Unless one group is physically assaulting another, let the debate rage on. Regardless of whose side your on, limiting free speech is only done to suppress an idea.
Bashy said: “The answer is simple.”
^^ It is, but it’s not the answer you’re going to like.
You said: “No human being has the right to offend another person.”
^^ Being offended is a choice YOU make. Nobody can MAKE you offended by something. That’s something YOU choose to do. Every person has the right to EXPRESS themselves ANY WAY THEY LIKE. If you take offense to something, that is YOUR fault.
You said: “When people ask me this question, I always ask;
What purpose would it serve to offend 1.7 billion people?
Would it bring peace, harmony and a better understanding?”
^^ Yes, exposing the truth would help EVERYONE on the planet! How do we get to the truth? Via logic and reason – by using critical thinking. If you posit imaginary friends that you think live in the sky, and you tell me or others about it so that we can hear you, then it’s our DUTY as contributing members of society to call you OUT on them.. to tell you that you’re wrong, and ridicule your beliefs if necessary (if you don’t understand that you’re wrong and why).
You said: “The answer is a resounding; NO.”
^^ Nope, the answer is “YES”, we DO have the right to say anything we’d like. Deal with it.
I find your offense at being offended offensive. …
Yes.
A better question is: “Does following a specific religion grant one the right to be offended, and if so… does merely being offended grant one the right to dictate the actions (or demand inaction) of others?”
people get offended at all sorts of things. if we were to start banning things on the basis that they cause offence we would have no freedoms left at all. there’s a simple thing to do if something offends you, don’t seek it out, don’t read it, in the case of websites don’t increase traffic to it either. or you could deal with the fact that your offended in a mature way, accept that it is their right and move on realising that your offence is only your opinion and that you likely do say or have some things that offend them in return.
Of course we do. If your god is so powerful, certainly he can withstand a little mocking. Nobody has the right to not be offended. If you don’t want to be offended, try not having such ridiculous beliefs!
i think koran should be banned in that case, as it offends jews, christians and atheists in particular and all other religions in general
Freedom of Speech: A Core Islamic Value!
A Critique of President Obama’s UN Speech
do muslims have the right to offend me?
Exactly! If Muslims talk about their gods, and say it in a way to imply that we all should, are they NOT insulting my intelligence, because I know better?
Couldn’t THAT be deemed reasonably offensive?
Ted: Muslims talk about their ONE god.
@Rafiq: Irrelevant whether it’s one or a ton of them, like in Greece.
It’s all made up.
They might as well be talking about their “one unicorn”.
The point is that just because they believe in something, doesn’t mean that it’s free from ridicule.
If they can talk about their imaginary friends in the sky, then we can talk about how irrational their imaginary friends in the sky are.
If they think it’s wrong for them to be offended, then we should also be able to say it’s wrong for the rest of us to be offended. Since we will all pretend or will actually be offended, then the answer is not for anyone to not say anything, but for ALL OF US to be able to say whatever we want.
We control what we are offended by. You can choose not to read or listen to something. We all have to afford each other our own voices.
However, just because you have a belief about how the world works, doesn’t mean that it should be respected.
If you make scientific conclusions, and they are wrong, then your conclusions should be mocked.
People are allowed to have their own opinions, but not their own facts.
I would love to buy this t-shirt. Does anyone know if there are t-shirts with mohammed???
I often feel offended by the preposterous “truths” and “values” of so-called “holy books”. If some (!) Muslims cannot stand other people’s opinions about their beliefs it is their problem.
If the offence is being offended then you need to think about how ridiculous that argument is. Some people have lost their lives and there have been genocides against people who have “offended” others by their mere presence. “I am offended” is the justification for violence by the intolerant to justify violence actions against others. Islamic passive aggression and perceived victim hood is doing more to demonize and damage it especially among their own followers than anything else. What we are seeing seems more like the death throes of Islam than a reawakening. The whole religion is being taken over by gangs of thugs – good luck trying to rein them in.
If all hate speech were banned, there would be no quran and so this question would never arise
Hi.
I’m an atheist. In fact, I’d probably say I’m an anti-theist if I really felt like it.
But, fundamentally, I cannot be offended by a cartoon. It is, after all, a picture. A drawing. A visual expression of someone’s opinion. Being a level headed adult, I can look at it and decide for myself the meaning, the intent. And, if I cannot determine the intent (maybe I don’t have the same frame of reference, or an understanding of the “in joke”), then I can at least examine the artistic skill. And come to my own conclusion upon the quality of the artist and maybe some understanding on how the artist thinks.
But be offended? How? The things I believe in are mine. I know them. They are part of me. It has taken me decades to come to understand them and accept them and sometimes accept that whilst I may not know everything about them, I can reason them and come to a place where I can argue in their favour.
I cannot get offended by a cartoon. But I DO get offended by actions. By people killing, raping, abusing. Not cartoons.
And I get offended by religion. As an atheist, I firmly believe that religion IS a mass delusion. It is poorly tuned social engineering and a taxation system.
Do people get comfort from their gods? Most definitely. But I get that from reading a good book (not THE good book), or listening to quality musicians.
As to the question “Do atheists have the right to offend muslims?”, I would have to answer no. Of course not. It is a blatantly stupid question to ask.
But, “Do muslims have the right to kill atheist simply because some muslims are too small minded and cannot cope with living in a grown up world where there will be opposing ideologies and where Islam is considered nothing more than a backward religion that should be consigned to the history books?”, well, again, I would say no.
Basically, for an atheist, like me, religion seems to be nothing more than the last gasp of the dark ages, trying to hold us back to a time when no one knew anything and a few had the political control. And rather than growing up and adapting to the world, we see religious fundamentalism using violence to intimidate and terrorise those that have moved on.
And, for a western atheist like me, we see Islamic fundamentalism at the forefront of this terrorism. And so, we point, we laugh, we ridicule. We will do this. And do it willingly. Because we know that believing in Allah, Jehova, Satan, Zeus, Thor is absolutely no different to believing in Santa Claus, The Tooth Fairy, The Easter Bunny, Harry Potter, Narnia.
There is NO differentiation.
Now. If you want to talk political grievances? Well. Now we have something to talk about. Israel? What the hell are they doing on what is historically arabic land? USA aggression? Way to go in helping make the world a safer and saner place.
Which sky daddy to believe in? It is of no consequence to me what you delude yourself with. Just as long as your beliefs don’t lead to the mass murder of innocent men, women and children.
“Do muslims have the right to kill atheists?”
Absolutely not!
Freedom of Speech: A Core Islamic Value!
A Critique of President Obama’s UN Speech
A challenge for Dawkins: Where did carbon come from?
Usually atheists don’t offend muslims (nor anyone). But people tend to get offended when others express their opinions.
As any religious person has the right to express his belief in a god, an atheist has the right to express his disbelief. Be it in the street, through comics, or whatever. People have the right to say anything they want. If you don’t like it, you can say that too.
The question is not so much of offending others due to their religious beliefs, the real question is
“Do we have the RIGHT to tell the TRUTH?”
It is not our fault if Muslims are offended by the truth. That is their fault.
Claiming that the founder of one religion would get along with the founder of another religion that claimed to worship the same god … that is not hateful or incorrect.
Pointing out the failures in religious teachings is also reasonable. If they truly worship a god of peace, then they will re-look at unworthy teachings to see if their interpretation of the texts can be improved.
In my view, we not only have the RIGHT to tell the TRUTH, we also nave an obligation to tell the TRUTH, even when the truth is unwelcome in religious circles.
The core belief of Islam is “submit to Allah.” I find that incredibly offensive. Do I have the right to demand that Islam be banned or persecuted because of that? I find it offensive that Islam was used to conquer Northern Africa, Southern Asia, the Arabian Peninsula and Southern Europe and people were compelled to “submit” or die. I find it offensive that Jews are treated as second-class citizens in Muslim Countries and that the Saudis teach their children to hate Jews. I find it offensive that women are forced to cover themselves so that men don’t rape them. I find it offensive that a class of children caused enough hurt to inspire a riot when they named a stuffed bear “Muhammad.” I find it offensive that Muslim cabdrivers thought it was their right not to give rides to people who had alcohol in their luggage, or the blind people who were accompanied by seeing-eye dogs. I find it offensive that an atheist was jailed in Turkey for writing a blog post critical of Islam. And yet, I have not called for the beheading of any Muslim because of this. I have not called for a riot, or advocated the murder of any filmmakers, or authors because of “offense.” Offense is one of those things that adults learn to deal with, and if Islam creates infantile behavior because it teaches submission then it perhaps has no place in secular society. I take offense at several of the positions taken by Jews, Christians and the wealthy, too just so Muslims who read this don’t think I reserve my offense for them.
Reading above … “A moslem public figure, Louis Farakhan, speaking before a national audience, once insulted me and all Jews by calling Judaism a “…dirty, little religion…”
There was palpable hatred on his face and in his voice.”
In the UK, there are more Jedis than Jews. And when, as an atheist, I hear someone say “but Jedi is a made up religion”, I just hang my head in shame and think “How on earth am I of the same species?!?”.
European Convention of Human Rights
I think many of the issues that my atheist brothers and sisters are raising are already tackled in the Article 10 of European Convention of Human Rights.
This Article provides the right to freedom of expression, subject to certain restrictions that are “in accordance with law” and “necessary in a democratic society”. This right includes the freedom to hold opinions, and to receive and impart information and ideas, but allows restrictions for:
We would certainly need the best legal minds humanity can offer to give concrete and legalistic details of the above exceptions that may be acceptable to people of all faiths, ethnicities and nationalities.
If the Supreme Court Justices do not come to our rescue, may be a good and an accomplished writer can help out with a best selling book. But, the key is to at least, win the moderates, in all the established religions of the world and among the agnostics and atheists.
Any takers?
There is no such thing as the right never to be offended. Any rational person can find a dozen things that offend her deeply every time she opens the newspaper. If your world is so free of injustice, racism, economic exploitation, war, and poverty that you have nothing real to be offended about and have to resort to being upset about cartoons, give thanks to your god and leave the rest of us alone.
The logical outcome of this argument is that if people choose to act violently when they are offended they can claim that it is the people exercising their right of free expression who are causing the violence. This is an insane and unjustifiable argument. You choose both whether something offends you and how you react to that offence. The first is irrelevant and if you cannot or will not control the second you do not deserve to be part of a civil society.
I am offended when I see Muslims carrying flags saying ‘behead those who I insult Islam’ or ‘ British troops are murderers’….but do I try to kill them for doing that? …no I just groan inwardly at their stupidity and get on with my life. A cartoon of your special imaginary prophet doesn’t hurt anyone…get over it.
The key is to actually become tolerant and open minded, something that the religious are unable to do, because of the fact that they are religious. Religion provides answers that must not be questioned. If this was not so, then it would not be religion, but open enquiry. An example: I doubt that the Islamic prophet Mohammed actually heard an angel telling him to read. I suggest that it is more likely that he was thinking about his own lack of being able to read. For my statement to be shown as false, all that needs to be done is to present to the public an angel for us to examine. Most Muslims would be offended by this, and the reason is mentioned above, in that they are religious and not allowed to question their beliefs.
I am offended by your article. Shall we remove it?
I think the following book very comprehensively speaks on this subject. Please do read this book through the link below. Peace be with you all.
http://www.alislam.org/library/books/OurGod.pdf
Would anyone help enlighten us if there are any limitations to what one can say.
I hope we’ll all agree that making a false allegation on my parents that will impact my reputation and will cause me financial hardship, is not right and such an allegation should be challanged in a court.
Do we agree on this?
Yes, nobody should make false allegation against any one and then there will be no one hurt and no need to go to the court. Everybody cannot go to the court for redress.
There should be limits on what one can say and do. There are clear limits on what one can do. Every one is liable to be punished for bad deeds, here in this world, and in the next life too.
Too much of everything spoils the show, same goes for too much liberty. The governments make laws to control things and keeps them in right direction. They should make laws to allow every one to say what they like except any foul (bad smelling) words about any one.
Socrates also said that too much liberty brings down the democratic govenment. Too much love of money brings down the government of the Oligarchy (Few rich persons). (See “The Republic”)
Open abuse, in the form of poem or article or cartoons should be prohibited.
Mike de Fleuriot has asked to show an angel. There are many things that are believed but cannot be shown. That includes imaginary things (of physics, reactance) as well as of feelings. Let us say, love, hatred and happiness, sorrow, pain. There is a realm of abstract world.
Allah is the Rabb of all things, worlds, planets, galaxies, diseases, cures, theories, trees, typhoons, rust and dust, they were created and Allah has made laws for them to exist and progress. It includes all living things and dead non-living things, bodies and souls. Nothing is excluded. He is the Rabb of the beliefs and the believers and the Rabb of the agnostaics and disbelievers, atheists, helps them to live and progress.
It is not necessary to see the God Almighty. Moses a.s. wanted to see God. He got a big shock by the flash and became senseless. There are limits to everything. There is no need to want to see God. When some one will see God, he will say “I want to catch God”,,, and so on,,,,
Atheists are basically wrong in their beliefs. So we let it be for them. They can continue in their ways peaceflly. No harm to the believers. It is no use encroaching upon the rights of the believers. It is better that believers and non-believers behave in good manner. If there is anything that the atheists want to teach, to prove to the believers, it is alright. They are welcome. But no need to approach from the wrong side. No need to abuse.
This should not just be about Muslims. You can include other religions too. Beliefs are ideas and I believe in the contest of them. Nothing is sacred, no idea should be protected from criticism and ridicule. This is the pinnacle of freedom. Islam has a long way to go with regards to this.
I’m pretty offended by the three monotheistic faiths, however I’d never argue they ought to shut up. I hate religion, but I still believe in religious freedom. This, of course, can only be guaranteed under a secular, pluralist democracy. A lot of people, particularly on the left (my camp) fail to distinguish between race and religion and interpret criticism of the latter (towards Islam) as the former. This is absurd as race is not an idea nor a choice one makes, so criticism towards an individual because of their race is no different to criticising a mentally disabled person. In which case would be morally disgraceful. However, religions are ideas with a set of proposed values, assertions and truth claims and therefore open to discussion, debate, criticism, etc.
No one has the ‘right’ to not ever /be/ offended. That way lies madness.
However, we should have the right to say when something is offensive, to discuss, to reach a shared path. We should NOT have the right to say that the offender should be banned, shunned, punished, or killed.
THAT right is up to God.
When a society develops a ‘thin skin’ to offensive, seditious, or otherwise negative thoughts, speech, or action, then that society soon develops into an oppressive, punitive regime, fueled by anger, hate, and intolerance, and the people living under it suffer. When a society develops tolerance and understanding (even of those that are different, who ‘do not believe’) ideas are explored and exchanged, and everyone benefits.
I would expect that everyone of all faiths keep two things close to them at all times: Their sense of empathy, and their sense of humor. If you go out without these things, you’ll probably come home in a bad mood.
NO ONE has the RIGHT to NOT be OFFENDED. Life in the west got ya down???? Theres a quick fix…. go to BACK TO the middle east where no one is offended but millions are SLAUGHTERED.
Sorry, this is silly. You’ve asked the wrong question. The question REALLY is “Does anybody have the right to have a different opinion than I do and to speak it openly” which, sorry, the answer is absolutely yes.
Being offended is something happening inside of YOU. People have the right to speak their minds and say what they want. At least where I come from. And if you’re here, where I come from, then you’re going to have to respect my culture. And my culture allows anybody to voice their own opinions, whether through music, speech, art or otherwise. We are raised into mature adults that will LEAVE a situation that bothers us instead of trying to destroy anybody that doesn’t think exactly like us.
If anything that goes against your personal beliefs offends you to the point where you FIRMLY BELIEVE they must be silenced, you have a serious problem. Not me. I’ll keep talking. Your problem doesn’t bother me in the slightest.
Celebrate who you are. And I will celebrate who I am. And both of us can live together. If you can’t understand this, avoid me. If you want to live in harmony with me and all other people around you, then we can talk.
Very simple.
Fayaz slander is prosecuted here. You cant say something untrue about someone, but its not like if you call someone fat who is skinny, that would be tossed out, if you called someone a child molester and they werent and you said it with the intent to csause problems for that person, you are libel. Being offended because someone calls your prophet false, or a pedophile wouldnt hold up here because you are free to say those things about any religion here. Being offended is not equal to being discriminated against. Clear that up for ya?
“EE” I agree with you. ““Does anybody have the right to have a different opinion than I do and to speak it openly” which, sorry, the answer is absolutely yes.”
My point is that there is a difference between speaking openly about your opinion and slandering someone. “Freedome of Speech … ” made a good point that slander should be prosecuted. So my question is if someone slanders my father, who is not alive, could I prosecute that person?
The moral priorities and exclusive truth claims made by Islam offend me. So do the moral priorities and exclusive truth claims made by Christianity and every other religion that sanctifies bigotry, cruelty, misogyny, or violence.
offend or not to offend? I would put it this way: Nothing that you say about your own beliefs offends me. What can offend is when you comment on my belief (without sharing it). (Is that not a sensible guideline?)
From @EE:
Sorry, this is silly. You’ve asked the wrong question. The question REALLY is “Does anybody have the right to have a different opinion than I do and to speak it openly” which, sorry, the answer is absolutely yes.
————————
The above is quite right. And two posts from Mathew and one from George is also good. And so on from other friends…
There should be no bar on expressing an opinion or point of view peacefully without abusing any one. It should be remarks about own belief, not a curse on others. Let every one present the good points of their beliefs and not abuse others beliefs.
It is absolutely necessary to have freedom of speech. That is to express opinion without slander. The opponents of that opinion should not react on that peaceful expression. They should not go on killing any one.
That is exactly what happened in Makkah in years 610-620 A.D. The prophet expressed an opinion that there is only One God and that he was a messenger from that God. That was a peaceful message given with love to local people.
But the polytheists of Makkah did not allow him to speak. The prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. said to the local people “You say what you like and let me say what I like to speak.” The opponents of freedom of speech said, “We will say what we like but we will not allow you to say what you like.”
That was the starting point of the struggle for Islam. It was a struggle for the freedom of speech, decent speech, some important matter.
Because of severe opposition to freedom of speech, the matter developed into persecution and migration and wars. Had the people of Makkah not opposed the freedom of speech, there may not have been any wars at all and the matter would have gone to its (same) logical end peacefully.
It is an article of faith for all Muslims to respect the religious heads of all faiths and to allow every one to follow the faith of their choice freely, peaceflly and to express their good opinion about their own as well as others in a good manner. Not to unduly defame others.
There should be freedom of speech but if any one will make bad use of that freedom, it will cause trouble and may require some censor (restriction)on that freedom.