Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Freedom of Speech vs Antagonism

free speech n. The right to express any opinion in public without censorship or restraint by the government.

antagonism n. an active hostility or opposition, as between unfriendly or conflicting groups

I've been provoked by various snippets of news that I have heard on Hack (5:30pm on Triple J) this week concerning World Youth Day. Apparently, there is a group of people who want to go to some of the events and hand out condoms to the young Catholics. Some 'anti-annoyance' laws have been put in place to prevent this from occurring, but now the "franga wielding folk" are a bit put out because they think it is effecting their freedom of speech.
I am all for freedom of speech, but I am against antagonism (except when I was a teenager and I had an older brother, but that was more about survival than anything). In this instance of giving condoms to a group of people who do not believe in contraception, I think this crosses over into antagonism. I have never had a Catholic tell me that I shouldn't use contraception and from what I understand, it isn't something they really push on other people, so why bother them with your latex love gloves? They don't want them!
My mother gave me a little pearl of wisdom when she overheard me bitching about someone when I was about 12. She said, "Annie, before you say things like that, ask yourself; Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary?"
Obviously the 'is it true' part can't really apply in this particular circumstance and 'is it kind', well, that is fairly obsolete as well, but is it necessary to give condoms to Catholics? NO! It's not! So why do it? It is purely for shock value and reaction and to make yourself feel like you are clever and you're teaching these naive young religious folk something they don't already know! If they want them, they can go to the supermarket or pharmacy of their own free will and buy them. They know what they are, they know where to find them. Get over yourself and put your free speech rights into something more worthwhile like http://www.amnesty.org.au Amnesty International is a Human Rights organisation that promotes action through letter writing to people who have a power to make a difference. This is worthwhile! This is kind AND necessary!
PS. I am not being paid by Amnesty, it's just something I believe in! :-)

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