and as far as i can tell, zaqarbal's is the enlightened position on freedom of speech/expression since the late 1700s. maybe some of yall need to catch up?

Maybe yall need to live in the 21st century.

Fark me! Just ban all forms of religion that way there'll be none of this bullshyte carry on

check. what was i supposed to realize when i got here?

Dunno?

i thought maybe you were implying that i would see your point. dunno seems more appropriate.

Something along the lines of being a condescending smug git? If this really is about the Age of Reason and 18th century enlightenment you should read some Thomas Paine and consider what his opinion on the matter would be.

I don't see what this guy is doing as freedom of expression as the reason he's doing it is purely as an offence towards the freedom of religion for followers of Islam. Is Rev Jones exercising a protected right in treading on the rights of others? Being free from persecution is exactly that, be it from the Government or your fellow citizen. Labelling all Muslims as the perpetrators of 9/11 and burning their religious text is persecution. It's an attitude and speech that incites hatred towards Muslims and by proxy breeds racism against asians of Middle Eastern descent, whether they be Americans themselves or foreigners. Regardless of whether or not he's allowed to go ahead with it, the only reason he's doing so is because of the protracted media fuss it's generating. If people ignored him as the hicksville, inbred moron that he is it really wouldn't be causing anywhere near as much of a problem as it will do.

Maybe if you cared that much you'd start a thread on it and then they could voice their opinions? Or would you rather every time any vague subject is brought up people list every single one of their moral indignations for the purposes of completeness?

I often wonder this because I think Bill's right. You're fully allowed to cover Mother Mary in elephant dung and call it art, but we're not allowed to portray Mohammad at all.

Personally I'm not bothered by any of this, but if you think Jones is well out of line, then your ire should be directed at the Media covering it. And protesters should go down to block cameras.

I'm also of the view that "I just happen to think that in this day and age, burning the Koran is a pretty dumb idea. No?".

My opinion is that this is not about what's 'right' or what's 'wrong'. It has nothing to do with 'freedom of expression' or any other philosophy. It's just purely for the sake of common sense! It would offend me the least regardless of which religious texts are burnt, but there are religious fanatics out there ready to pounce on even the slightest of opportunities in the name of 'reason' and 'god' to continue this 'holy war' against the west. And surely, putting people's lives in danger doesn't seem like a good idea. I do understand the importance of religious tolerance to be cultivated globally and that people should have a stronger mind so that such events doesn't warrant a violent response, but how would it in anyway change the terrorists?! Surely, there are better ways to get this point across.

YouTube - Bill Maher & Ann Coulter debate

It seems they separate the two things, don't you think?