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I agree with Rick
completely that free speech has costs and that democrats must endure (even
embrace?) these costs. But that says nothing about the wisdom of conveying
one's message in a particular manner. What's the difference
between a Christian who believes in proselytizing by virtual confrontational
interactions and one who believes in proselytizing by example? A great deal
I suspect. Further, the costs of free speech must be borne by any
democrat. But given the different ways of proselytizing, the first Christian
should not be surprised when his or her conducts engenders resentment and
sometimes even anger. And free speech, of course, guarantees the proper
_expression_ of that resentment
and anger. In my view, a rapprochement seem eminently desirable here,
but alas probably unavailable.
Finally, I cannot see how
one takes another individaul seriously as a person by insisting--even politiely
and lovingly--that the individual's core identity is wrong and should be
changed. Eugene might be correct that it is misleading to call this
Anti-Semitism or Anti-Jewish, but neverthless is a cause for offense. Believe
what you will about my future, but respect my beliefs and values, as an
autonomous adult, to refrain from expressing your certainty about my damnation.
Do you have a right to esxpress what to me are offensive views about my
religion? Of course you do. Indeed, I would fight for your right to do so.
At the same time, I'd ask you to consider that the right to express your
views doesn't entail the wisdom to do so in our constitutional culture.
Bobby
Robert Justin
Lipkin
Professor of Law Widener University School of Law Delaware |
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