[Thor]

Originally Posted by onetwo_threefour

But don't these examples just bring you back Valo's point earlier on that that respect and tolerance for these other cultural/religious traditions stops once it infringes upon the rights of others.

I agree with that.

It may seem inconsistent, but I am fully behind the prosecution of a guy like Ernst Zundel not because he's an anti-semite, but because he used a platform provided by our public education system to preach his hate. Largely though, it is the responsibility of a free and democratic society to allow a marketplace of ideas IMO. While I personally detest the jihadist message and feel it is as much a fairy tale as the Bible, or the pholosophy of a guy like Zundel, the fact is that I dsagree with censorship of the belief systems of those that hold these views in the private arena. To the extent that our society allows individuals to hold and communicate these beliefs in Churches, around the family table or the like, it seems to me that there will always be enclaves or pockets of extremism in any democratic country.

Its such a difficult ideal, free speech and the marketplace of ideas. There is great power in free speech and its at times very difficult to support when its used in hate speech. I think the line is drawn at threats, which is fine, but no further.

There is the question of what is acceptable, "Death to Jews" "Jews are evils scum" ..? You see my point, I think we can allow anything really that isn't a threat and in the case of a teacher teaching anti-Semitic speech in a position of power and influence deemed morally reprehensible to society ( a much tougher debate for sure.)

The root causes of anti-semitism need to be addressed rather than the symptom. Obviously that's far easier said than done and the symptoms can't be ignored in the meantime, but that's where the standard checks and balancing of rights in a democratic society comes into play IMO. You address the overt experession of hatred and any associated violence with laws, and work towards a diplomatic resolution of the underlying question.

Agreed, albeit it this will be a very difficult, frustrating and accusation filled decade of tensions and intolerance. Doesn't help much the world economy is struggling, we all know that can be a spark to ignite a dangerous movement as history has shown us over and over.