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It certainly is here in the United States of Christianity, but for baseless and completely irrational reasons.
That does not answer the question. Is it or is it not?
It certainly is here in the United States of Christianity, but for baseless and completely irrational reasons.
Ya because you know me or what I believe. Just as much as I know you or what you believe you judgmental...
Yes, Jason Williams had every right to talk to those fans about kicking their asses in the Vietnam War, just like all of us had the right to say he was a stupid hillbilly.
That was the only point I was trying to make. Thank you. No judgment, or beliefs of my own. Only that in the country and times that WE live in, that what he said is construed as "against the grain" and should be handled better. If free speech is for everyone and honesty appreciated, then you would see more people in the limelight speak up, especially athletes and government figures. Sad truth is: that is not how things work and unless you are willing to throw a Boston Tea Party, then handle things properly.
Nice Dodge.
Acknowledging that saying one's an atheist is controversial in the United States, doesn't strengthen your point that people should avoid making controversial statements.
If you want a country that is more accepting of truly free speech, then wouldn't Ginobili's "against the grain" comment about his belief be a step in the right direction? The more people exercise their right to say whatever the they want, the more likely people will be allowed to do so in the future.
This is all a moot point, anyway, since the comment was made in Spanish. Few Americans will take the time to get up in arms about it.
What do you mean nice dodge? I specifically brought up a time when a player said something racist and said he had every right to do it, exactly like Manu has the right to say what he wants even if it pisses you off.
You construe me as being non-American, but I stand up as much for people's rights as anyone. I stand up for everyone's rights, not just the people that align with what I believe. This has nothing to do with my belief system at all. It has to do with being a normal human and acting in a manner that adheres to today's standards to a certain degree.
No, that's not what I'm saying.
Words that can be translated into hateful and criminal actions or be viewed as in such a manner should not be defended or protected under freedom of speech. Hate speech is not and should not be protected. And, if all the KKK or Hitler ever did was talk about white superiority and never hurt another human being, I wouldn't have a problem with their opinions either. It's how those words turn into action that should not be condoned or defended.
And, at any rate, Manu didn't say any hateful things. You keep bringing up the fact what Manu said was "inflammatory" but then turn around and say it doesn't bother you. If it doesn't bother you, how is it inflammatory?
Today's standards that tell someone to shut up and go with the status-quo are bull . 'em.
You do realize that Manu has a cons utionally protected right to say what he said. For example, in passing the Communications Decency Act, a federal statute directed at maintaining a certain level of decorum, congress explicitly noted that it wished to maintain the internet as a space of "robust public debate." In expressing his personal views on religion -- and as a public figure alot of people look up to -- Manu's words further congress's and the first amendment's intent -- use the internet to express political, social, cultural, and religious opinions.
Saying that he should keep his mouth shut and stay out of the limelight betrays a grotesque misunderstanding of this nations values.
But you're not standing up for Manu's right to express his opinion here.
What are today's standards you're referring to?
It does not piss me off. It makes me realize how so many people can be so socially awkward. There is a time and place for everything, and saying I do not believe in god (especially to fans that widely believe in god) is not something you just type on a forum. If you have a stance on a subject matter that is world renown (wars have been fought, blood has been spilled) you should really think about how you say things.
This is probably the same guy who burned Dixie Chicks albums.
Yes I am. He can believe whatever he wants. BUT AS A PUBLIC FIGURE he should be more careful with where he lets his opinions be known. If this causes such great debate on SpursTalk, imagine what it will cause when it hits WOAI or KSAT.
So is David Robinson full of for saying he supports the war when the majority of people in this country are against it? Was he stupid to speak his mind on an inflammatory issue while expressing a contrarian view?
LOL
He's a basketball player. His job is to market himself, not win a presidential election. This doesn't hurt his marketablity at all.
It's really no big deal that he said what he said at all.
Actually, as a public figure, we want him to speak to issues like this as opposed to being silent. Because he has access to WOAI or KSAT, he can express what, in your mind, is an unpopular opinion. That enables debate on a salient matter of public discourse -- religion. That makes us, as citizens, more informed, and thus better able to perform our civic duties. The cons ution presumes that in response to Manu's comments, we would do exactly what we are doing here -- having a debate about religion and its place in our culture. You're alternative of having Manu mince his words would eliminate this debate, leaving us with . . .
Your alternative leaves us in a radically impoverished world of mono-cultural propaganda where dissenting views by prominent figures are silenced in lieu of us all towing a party line.
urunobili is on vacations with a VERY sore back fighting pain to even read this...Can urunobili or are other amigos restore some peace in this thread and translate the rest of the piece?
Some people believe, and some don't. Maybe we can just leave it at that.
The Hitler reference is too much. Nobody is telling anyone what to believe or not to believe. Definitely not Manu.
To ignore that fact that religion in not only America, but world-wide is an inflammatory subject matter is just naive. I believe that everyone is en led to believe in God or not believe. That is the fundamental basis of God and Jesus in my opinion. It does not at all make me mad at Manu. What gets me is that knowing such a subject (right or wrong) is a hot-switch, that you should use better judgment in where you let your opinions be known. I think it is refreshing that people stand up for what they believe, but I also understand the way the world works (once again right or wrong).
Ya! I am a huge believer in the power that the people hold and their rights. Just go back and read my comments on the bailout and other topics.
You make no sense. I am all about having discussions on all topics. All I said is there is a time and place. This would be like Bush announcing we are going to Iraq on MySpace.
Sorry about that.urunobili is on vacations with a VERY sore back fighting pain to even read this...
As for the rest of the thread, it's ridiculous that it's exploding into an argument with DPG21920.
As of Manu's response, I know that I have heard him say, "Thank God..." before, so it's weird that he said he doesn't believe.
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