Donohue’s appalling beliefs are a bigger threat to freedom than any satirical cartoon. First, he entirely misses the point of free speech, thinking it a right meant only for “political discourse.” As I pointed out yesterday, the purpose of freedom of speech is to protect the freedom of thought. It’s understandable that Donohue has no conception of that most basic and important freedom because he thinks that “Narcissistic artists who associate obscenity with creativity would do us all a favor if they converted to Catholicism.” He thinks that “Catholicism is the answer.”
Second, Donohue wants self-censorship. Like the shooters, he want's the people he disagrees with to shut up. His and their goals are the same. Their methods are different. Donohue doesn't resort to violence, but he wants people to give in to their fear—see his parting quip to Ms. Kelly—and cower under the threat of religiously motivated violence. He thinks trembling under Islam’s blade is moral. He thinks giving in to a bully’s demand is ethical. In short, Bill Donohue is a coward.
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Special treatment for religion and the religious is society’s biggest stumbling block to true freedom. Religion is an idea or set of ideas that cannot be free from criticism on any level, legal or moral. Of course, Donohue must know deep down that he wants this special treatment because religious ideas—blasphemy, vicarious redemption, heaven and hell, original sin, etc.—cannot withstand criticism. Without that protection, religion crumbles. That’s why Donohue wants to be a sacred cow.
Coward Donohue doesn't understand liberty - Freedom From Religion Foundation
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