[sumiyia]

Originally Posted by jinnzaman

I'd like to interject for a brief moment in the discussion between Foxhole and Jamroll. I may be biased as an American, but I do feel that the constitutional jurisprudence on liberties is pretty well maintained. We maintain a fair system of secularism as opposed to the seemingly discriminatory practices that exist in most European countries. In terms of free speech, the Constitution protects it because there's a high propensity for government to take advantage of regulation of speech for its own ends that will produce tyranny. However, we also recognize the limits of free speech as well. Our Constitution protects hateful speech and that it is true. But it does not protect speech that is obscene, inciting. A person may not run into a theater and shout 'fire.' So thats one thing we as American (or Western) Muslims have to recognize. The speech in our respective countries may be highly critical of Islam, but when it becomes truly inflammatory and people start engaging in acts of violence against Muslims (or any other minority), it is only then that the awesome powers of the state should be called on to protect us. Until then, its a dog eat dog world and the best argument will have to win the day. Its a cop out to call on the state like a bunch of whiny babies. We need to grow a pair of steel balls and just duke it out (intellectually). Thats how its done.

agreed.