If "public order" is whatever those in power say it is, then as a religious wacko in a government, "of the people, by the people, and for the people," I owe it to myself and my family to exercise my right to help enact legislation that insures my freedom to remain a religious wacko, and practice my wackiness fully.
The alternative, and what you and others seem to be saying, is that religious wackos in particular should excuse themselves from (or be forced to be silent in) the public square because historically some of them were murderous fanatics, and still others may do or say things today that cause me a great deal of unpleasantness. (I am not here referring to the killing of infidels, or dashing hyperactive childrens' heads against paving stones)
In this country the notion of enforceable public order, or law, boils down to someone's morality that has been enacted into public legislation. Prior to that enactment there is often vigorous public debate in which EVERYONE is entitled to voice their opinion, state their case, and jockey for either the privileges and protections that most concern them.
If you are worried that some wacko legislation has or might impact your life in an "unpleasant" way, then you are free to join the debate, protest, boycott, piss, moan, peaceably assemble with people of like mind, print and distribute anti-wacko literature, and yes, even do anti-wacko "exercises" on the public sidewalk outside El Presidente's house. Further, in a country like ours, if push comes to shove you are (theoretically) free to take up arms, form a militia, secede from the Union (Texas only) and start yourself a bloody Civil War if need be. But there is one caveat to all this freedom: If you want that kind of freedom for yourself and people of like mind, it must also be accorded to the religious (and other) wackos that you fear so much.
AM |
