Do you believe that no idea is above criticism?

[Anonymous]

[purplepoppy]

Within a religion there is debate and differing interpretations. Therefore it's only right outsiders should be allowed to criticise. However criticism merely for the sake of harassment or to promote discrimination is a different matter. Free speech is important but so is the ability to shut up.

[ObscuredBeyond]

To blame DNA for a cultural behavior quirk is ignorant. To attack a faith because of the behavior if its practitioners is only fair if the actual tenets of said faith support that questionable behavior.

Whether offering praise or criticism, comparing apples to apples is a must for honest debate.

[BLP11520]

An idea is a concept and may not be factual like gravity is a law. Each person has a belief system with or without God. Most people believe stealing is wrong. It is wrong, not an idea. Is Rowan referring to the Muslim problem in the UK or Christianity or Judaism?

[MrCommodore]

Only if that idea directly impacts the person sharing the criticism directly, otherwise said criticism impacts a person's private freedom.

[jshm2]

You're confused as Rowan was talking more against the bill linking race and religion together, than freedoms themselves.

[genericname85]

Yes. No "idea" should be above critique. Your ethnicity isn't your idea, choice, deed or decision. So critiquing that is pointless and dumb.

[NamerOfStars]

Of course. That's why the fundamentalists- religious and otherwise- despise me so.

[slatyb]

Yes, I do. I agree with Mr. Atkinson. People deserve respect. Ideas must earn respect.

[call_me_scar]

No anything and everything should that's how you get advancement

[Anonymous]

If only people on GaG knew how to criticize the Jews and Muslims and Hindus and Sikhs and Buddhists...

... the same way they criticize Christians.

[AndrésC64]

No. Absolutely not. And along the same vein, nothing is above being joked about or being made fun of.

[TroyDT2]

An idea that is above criticism is a tyranny.

[shortster]

Without the ability to criticize ideas; that is the fundamentals of fascism.

[Guardian45]

No, ideas don't become better until they are subjected and tested by critical review by peers.

[Kuroz090]

Yes. As long as the criticism is kept ideally civil unless necessary to be otherwise.

[dreamstar72]

Wrong