Should it be illegal to offend religious characters?
146003
No absolutely not, it shouldn't be illegal to offend anyone.  That's freedom of speech.  I think our dialogue should be civil and sensitive, but in a democracy people disagree and are going to get offended.\n\nIf we can't offend anyone then all of a sudden we're living in a fascist state where the "offended" hold all the power over what the rest of us can say and think.
876710
No.  It isn't illegal because we have freedom of religion.
684910
Absolutely not. Morality is a religious issue. \n\nGovernment should legislate based upon practical concerns and objective goals. Murder should be illegal because it causes violence, which disrupts the ability of society to function, and because it interferes with the victim's personal rights. It shouldn't be illegal because "only God can kill". Likewise, communications with a clergyman should be privileged because it serves the social goal of people seeking emotional help (same as a psychologist), and government has an interest in people being rational rather than having emotional breakdowns. Confessions are not legally privileged just because they are sacred in some religions.\n\nMost people don't actually take the time to figure out WHY something may be wrong or bad. Religions and/or politics simply tell them something is bad, and they just accept that conclusion without question.\n\nOnce you look at WHY something is bad, then the answer becomes clear. If it's bad because it interferes with a person's rights to life and liberty, or because it results in property damage, or because it harms the environment thus affecting the health of the community, or because it increases the risk of car accidents -- those are identifiable objective practical goals that are valid for the government to enforce via laws.\n\nIf it's bad because God made it a sin, or because your moral upbringing told you so, or because good people shouldn't do that -- those are not valid reasons to pass mundane laws. Granted, those may be moral reasons why you should choose not to do something. But the government should not not be dictating religious or moral beliefs, let alone attempting to enforce them.
527977
i am for free speech!! keep it up!! muslims should learn tolerance just like Christians had too. it is unfair for groups to say it is wrong to depict mohammand but it is OK to depict Christ.
803062
It depends. If a person is offended because of a what the person says in a different group or situation then someone should step in and voice with reason and not with anger.\n\nShalom
373268
:}\nIt might be considered irreligious to take faith and scripture so lightly.\n\nDid you check for lightning before typing this?
342013
I suspect not ... ask Salman Rushdie !\n\nRight or wrong the fall-out from even a small slight on Islam would be massive ... it appears that the Islamic religion is unable to accept any level of parody.  I am not making a racist point here just reminding folks over the furor over a few cartoons.\n\nPeace Out.
811462
I would have to also say that even with a God it would still be offensive.  There is a lot of hatered in the Bible that is justified only because God says it is ok. If authority comes from the people and I am a person, I take its authority over me and judge it as evil.
792529
Disgustingly enough that is what it is used for in most most cases!  It should be illegal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\n\nThank you Got Jesus?!!!!!  It's nice to see some of still have some morals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
269503
Agreed. Nobody should poke fun at another's religious beliefs. Religion is an individual and personal thing. It is one's personal relationship with his/her deity(ies). \n\nIf one has no relationship witha higher power, that is their religion... no faith, no god. It is still a belief.\n\nMost christians are rude about faith. Then again, most of them are brainwashed in sunday school from day one. Look at catholicism. Based upon their own messiah's teaching, they should not be baptised unitl they are old enough to make the conscious choice. Instead, parents force the choice upon them before they are old enough to speak.
769148
Why are some people so offensive about other peoples religion?
1061203
nope, it's not my place to punish sinners and I don't think someone else can hurt my religious sentiments.  If someone is not respectful of my beliefs it might tick me off but it doesn't affect my beliefs.
1020357
Because it was proven that the cartoons. that were printed by the Newspaper were not the cartoons. that were shown to the islamic imans in Iran. And further more no person seems to be able to say anything bad or derogatory. about the Muslim Religion.\nBut for any other religion its ok for people to make fun of them.
125264
Must think it will/would offend someone. I have a question for you, what kind of music is allowed? If it is anything with WORDS IN IT, that's ridiculous! Oh wait' it's ridiculous already.\n\nThis is unrelated to your question, but...\nI was working one night in a restaurant I'd been at for almost two years, wearing a necklace I'd been wearing ever since I had started. It was a st. mike metal on a short chain, barely visible from the neck of my shirt ( I'm not Catholic, I just used to think it was lucky). My manager came up and told me I would have to remove it! I said no. He said yes. I refused and he left me alone about it. Can you imagine?
841512
As long as they are not insulting any other religion, and respecting that other people already may have their own beliefs i think its fine.\n\nAlso they can't be too pushy. I don't like someone elses beliefs being rammed down my throat.
1086000
I hope you are being paranoid about expressing your opinion on whether something is offensive or not.  That should be subjective, personal to each person and their moral code.
785632
A better answer would have simply shared the BIBLE's point of view on the matter and allowed the listener/reader to decide for himself what God's thoughts are on the matter. An offended person would be offended at the divine Author rather than at the answerer.\n\nLearn more:\nhttp://watchtower.org/e/20050715/article_02.htm