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Category Archives: Freedom

Religious Freedom: What It Is and What It Is Not by Rob Boston (with Q&A) – Video

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Religious Freedom: What It Is and What It Is Not by Rob Boston (with Q A)
Religious freedom has traditionally been construed as an individual right to pray and worship as one sees fit. But Religious Right activists are working to change religious liberty into something...

By: Center for Inquiry

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Religious Freedom: What It Is and What It Is Not by Rob Boston (with Q&A) - Video

Pope Francis Backs Freedom Of Speech But Within Limits

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Pope Francis disembarks from the plane upon his arrival at the airport in Manila, Philippines, on Wednesday. In comments to reporters aboard the plane, Francis said though the attack on Charlie Hebdo magazine was an "aberration," free speech "cannot make provocations," especially against people's faith. Ettore Ferrari/EPA/Landov hide caption

Pope Francis disembarks from the plane upon his arrival at the airport in Manila, Philippines, on Wednesday. In comments to reporters aboard the plane, Francis said though the attack on Charlie Hebdo magazine was an "aberration," free speech "cannot make provocations," especially against people's faith.

Pope Francis says there are limits to freedom of speech, especially when it comes to someone's religion, in comments that made reference to the deadly attack last week on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Francis defended freedom of speech, calling it a fundamental human right, but said it must not cause offense.

"It is true we cannot react violently," he told reporters today on the papal plane en route to the Philippines. "But if Dr. [Alberto] Gasbarri here, a great friend, were to say something insulting against my mother, a punch awaits him."

Gasbarri, the official who organizes papal trips, was standing next to the pope at the time of the comments.

"You cannot make provocations," Francis added. "You cannot insult people's faith."

But the pope reiterated his previous comments about the attack on Charlie Hebdo, calling it an "aberration."

"Killing in the name of God is an aberration against God," he said. "I think this is the main thing with freedom of religion. You can practice with freedom but without imposing or killing."

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Pope Francis Backs Freedom Of Speech But Within Limits

Pope Francis stirs controversy in debate about freedom of speech

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Pope Francis on Thursday stirred fresh controversy in the debate over freedom of speech and individual responsibility with a remark that suggested that a violent reaction to insults should be expected.

In an on-board news conference with journalists traveling with him to the Philippines from Sri Lanka, the pontiff was asked for his views after last weeks terror attacks in Paris on the appropriate balance between freedom of expression and respect for others religious beliefs.

Francis had said after the Jan. 7 attacks incited by satirical magazine Charlie Hebdos lampooning of the Muslim prophet Muhammad that freedom of expression is a fundamental human right but that ridiculing anothers deity was disrespectful.

Asked by a French journalist Thursday up to what point can one go in freedom of expression? Francis replied that both religious liberty and liberty of expression are fundamental human rights.

Everyone has the right to practice ones religion, ones own religion without giving offense, the pope replied, according to a transcript of his comments published by Vatican Radio. But he added that one cannot offend, make war, kill in the name of ones own religion, that is, in the name of God."

In an apparent attempt at making light of the consequences of insulting others, the pontiff turned to Alberto Gasbarri, the Vatican travel organizer standing beside him.

If Dr. Gasbarri, a good friend, says a bad word against my mother, then a punch awaits him, Francis said, dealing a mock blow in the direction of the aides face. Its normal, its normal. One cannot provoke, one cannot insult other peoples faith, one cannot make fun of faith.

While the pope had made clear his condemnation of violence in earlier remarks on the recent terror strikes, his suggestion that violent responses to offensive statements or gestures should be expected enflamed the emotional debate over whether free speech has boundaries in a free society.

In response to a flurry of media requests for clarification, Vatican spokesman Thomas Rosica issued a statement asserting that the popes comments and gesture were in no way intended to be interpreted as a justification for the violence and terror that took place in Paris last week.

The popes exchange with Gasbarri was in a friendly, intimate matter among colleagues and friends on the journey, Rosica said.

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Pope Francis stirs controversy in debate about freedom of speech

Freedom has its limitations, warns PM

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January 16, 2015

Najib Razak says the authorities would continue to take action against those attempting to cause religious conflicts.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will not allow religious provocation or any threatening act or insulting of any religion to take place even in the name of freedom of expression, said Najib Razak.

The prime minister reiterated that freedom had its limitations.

He said the authorities would continue to take action against those attempting to cause religious conflicts.

Mutual respect among the various races is a basic principle that we need to practise to ensure national harmony is maintained, he said in his message aired over local radio today.

Najib said Malaysia strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in several locations around the world such as in Paris and Sydney recently.

In the Charlie Hebdo context, we completely avoid such attacks, nevertheless at the same time, it is pointless to accept such actions of provocation against other religions, Najib said.

He was alluding to last weeks incident which saw an attack on the office of a French satire magazine in Paris that killed 12 people.

The magazine, among others had published provocative cartoons that were seen as insulting Prophet Muhammad, an act that came under fire from Muslims.

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Freedom has its limitations, warns PM

PARIS ATTACKS – What really lies behind the controversial notion freedom of speech? – Video

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PARIS ATTACKS - What really lies behind the controversial notion freedom of speech?
Subscribe to France 24 now: http://f24.my/youtubeEN FRANCE 24 live news stream: all the latest news 24/7 http://f24.my/YTliveEN France #39;s 1789 Declaration of the rights of Man and of the Citizen...

By: FRANCE 24 English

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PARIS ATTACKS - What really lies behind the controversial notion freedom of speech? - Video

Freedom of Cyber Speech: Court Ruling In June Set to Forever Change Protected Speech Online – Video

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Freedom of Cyber Speech: Court Ruling In June Set to Forever Change Protected Speech Online
http://www.undergroundworldnews.com The upcoming ruling on this case this summer is set to forever change what is considered to be Protected Speech Online.

By: DAHBOO77

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Freedom of Cyber Speech: Court Ruling In June Set to Forever Change Protected Speech Online - Video

Freedom of expression must be upheld in wake of Charlie Hebdo attacks

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Letters to the editor

Charlie Hebdo most certainly presented offensive content that would enrage devout Muslims around the world and I would not engage in such satire, but as a defender of the freedom of expression I accept that the right to offend and insult is a natural outcome of this most fundamental principle.

However, it intrigues me how many of my countryman have just discovered the importance of freedom of expression in their support of the right of French satirists to present objectionable material.

Where were these people of principle when the Gillard government was attempting to rein in our press and again when the present government was proposing the repeal of section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, which aims to make the use of offensive and insulting speech illegal in this country.

I am also very critical of Tony Abbott who, in the aftermath of the Paris atrocities, has spoken at length on the importance of freedom of expression, when it was he who abandoned the repeal of section 18C so cheaply earlier this year.

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I hope this new found acknowledgement of the importance of freedom of expression takes root and that we as a nation can practice what we preach.

H.Ronald, Jerrabomberra

Senator Eric Abetz (Canberra Times, January 12) asserts that the Abbott Government cannot borrow money to pay for a wage increase for public servants.

A similar case was made when his government cut the real wages of Defence Force employees.

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Freedom of expression must be upheld in wake of Charlie Hebdo attacks

Pope Francis: there are limits to freedom of expression

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Pope Francis waves to Filipino well wishers at a street in Manila, Philippines. Photograph: Francis R. Malasig/EPA

Pope Francis says there are limits to freedom of expression, especially when it insults or ridicules someones faith.

Speaking on Thursday about the Paris attacks while en route to the Philippines, Francis defended freedom of expression as not only a fundamental human right but a duty to speak ones mind for the sake of the common good.

But he said there were limits.

By way of example, he referred to Alberto Gasparri, who organises papal trips and was standing by his side. He said: If my good friend Dr Gasparri says a curse word against my mother, he can expect a punch. Its normal. Its normal. You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others.

The pope also said he is convinced that global warming is mostly manmade and that he hopes his upcoming encyclical on the environment will encourage negotiators at a climate change meeting in Paris to take courageous decisions to protect Gods creation.

Francis has spoken out frequently about the culture of waste that has imperiled the environment.

While in the Philippines, Francis will meet with survivors of the 2013 typhoon Haiyan, which the government has said was an example of the extreme weather conditions that global warming has wrought.

I dont know if it [human activity] is the only cause, but mostly, in great part, it is man who has slapped nature in the face, he said. We have in a sense taken over nature.

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Pope Francis: there are limits to freedom of expression

Sony to release 'Freedom Edition' of 'The Interview' on DVD and Blu-ray

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CULVER CITY, Calif., Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Sony Pictures Entertainment says it will release a "Freedom Edition" DVD and Blu-ray version of The Interview on Feb. 17.

An image of the video's case boasts that the comedy is from "The Western Capitalist Pigs Who Brought You Neighbors and This is the End."

The movie stars James Franco as a celebrity talk-show host and Seth Rogen as his producer, who are longing to make the jump to serious news.

"After snagging an exclusive in-person interview with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, the unlikely pair are recruited by a covert CIA agent to embark on a mission to take out the reclusive dictator," a synopsis said.

The "Freedom Edition" Blu-ray disc "comes packed with 90 minutes of bonus feature content, including 14 deleted scenes, multiple behind-the-scenes featurettes, a seven-minute blooper reel that shows the outrageous gags and goofs from the set, as well as three 'line-o-ramas' where cast shot several alternate takes of jokes during filming," a Sony news release said. Also included on both Blu-ray and DVD are The Discovery Channel TV special Naked and Afraid, starring Franco and Rogen, as well as commentary by Rogen and writer-producer Evan Goldberg.

The Interview made headlines when its Dec. 25 theatrical release was first canceled, then limited to independent theaters, and TV and digital platforms.

Sony's computer system was hacked by an anonymous group known only as the Guardians of Peace, which cited its outrage over the movie as its motivation. Tens of thousands of private documents -- including copies of unreleased films, screenplays, financial information and personal emails -- were released online. The FBI has said the attack came from North Korea.

Theater chains initially announced they would not carry the movie out of fear for their patrons' safety when the hackers threatened violence at screenings. Sony then canceled the release, but reversed its decision after detractors argued it was a blow to American artists' right to freedom of speech.

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Sony to release 'Freedom Edition' of 'The Interview' on DVD and Blu-ray


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