From what I understand, we are only arguing over morals and freedoms on the secular plane of things. Besides, if your worldview does not align with the worldview of others, then to others, your argument is useless.
Freedom of any kind is a moral issue. Ah blargh. I could go on about how, as I believe, this issue began on a previous plane, and I'm not sure what you mean by an argument being rendered useless to someone who does not share your worldview. However there comes a time when one must speak of the issue at hand. I am a Christian and have my own beliefs about this issue. At any rate, this is an issue of morality, and freedom of expression, not as Miggy suggested, merely about cartoon horses. It is about freedom to express our love of Cartoon Horses XD.
Morality has to do with philosophy, that is with science, not with any particular belief system. Therefore, it should not matter what the belief system of the one talking is, so long as they understand the purpose of morality--it is always the means of living well for yourself and among others. That being said, sociology reveals huge gaps between people that must be filled if we are to care for each other properly. Sometimes, the Golden Rule is not enough--or, rather, the way it is traditionally taught is not enough. One must do for others what they want done for themselves, and one must expect others to do for one what one wants for oneself. Communication is key if we are to live well with one another, then. The only way to communicate well is to give people the freedom of expression, to let them tell you what they want and what they want to avoid. And this DOES extend to communicating about ponies. PS: And I am not even talking about MY golden rule here (a theory a couple of my friends and I are still testing, but remain fairly confident of through many experiments)--that in order to live well with others, one must maintain and increase diversity for surviving and thriving. Of course, if it is proven true enough, it won't change that freedom of expression is important to doing good (and well!) in the world.
The issue is neither a secular nor a religious one. Generalizing that all issues which, even in the briefest way, touch on any ethical question must tie themselves in with religion is only okay as long as you respect that, for others present in this conversation, there may be no relevance to religion. If you choose to state your own religious code of ethics, that is fine. When you apply those standards to the arguments of others, have a care to be sensitive to their beliefs. Also: please do not oversimplify this issue. Whenever someone says "The question is essentially this" and then proceeds to follow that tagline with any assortment of general terms which can mean any number of different things to all those engaged in the conversation, I cringe slightly.
Okay. This guy is smart. In my opinion anyway. Dilly my man, you have covered everything. Yes, I will respect the opinions of others. I will now present my opinion, no strings attached. Freedom is essential for all beings. Without freedom, one cannot decide their identity. On the contrary, who they are is decided by society. Standards are set up as to who they must be. Not being able to express oneself leads to unnecessary shame. One's opinion and beliefs, as well as their way of their way of life and interests, as long as their expression and practice do not infringe on the rights of others, should not be censored or punished.
Spoiler: Oh, you. But seriously, thank you, and I would also like to say that I try to hold everyone to that standard. It's only fair. Back on topic: I do agree with the conclusion to which you have come.
HA...talking about bans and schools... The high school i currently go to has nearly every single site..I know of...blocked...that is not educational...well most of the ones that are educational are blocked too. Its just annoying seeing that most of you use this site at school or work...and well why are you not doing work and....example> are you actually at school or even have work to do < that last one is my main cause...now you know why I want to get onto these sites at school...
Taking away and or banning ponies at your school? I've heard of being bullied for liking them but this.... its taking away not only the things you love and hold dear, but also your freedom of speech if their forcing you to come in bland attire suited for someone who that's not manly enough to watch MLP. Whats even more hilarious is that is a freedom of speech rights activist that's helping to ban ponies in your school, what a bucking hypocrite.
Let nothing stand in your way. Take charge. Be an individual. As long as its not offensive or disruptive to your peers it is a violation of your rights. Take it to your school board. Write an article in your local newspaper. But whatever you do, do not give in to fear of being punished. Stick it to the man I say. I always dreamed of being a revolutionary and little things like this set me off!
Hey I am absolutely appalled by the behaviour of your school and should most certainly stand up against them. Not only is it against freedom of speech it is borderline racism as we are a community, we should not be treated like this and if it is possible then could you post an email address for your head teacher of your school? I am to far away to help in person but I would like to sent an email to the head teacher and I think that anyone else that feels the same way as I do should do the same. I say we as a community should stand up against the way we re treated. We are no different as any other person. I would never have thought that a teacher could try and do something so discriminating. This is not only making the ponies that are out feel separated from the others by being told that it is wrong but they are going to be making any pony that has not come out never come out and abandon something they like they may even start to hate themselves for being a brony/pegasister.
Racism? I'm not certain that term applies to all communities. It applies to races (or "racial communities", if you will), hence it's root word. Still, I think I can agree with the general surprise, and maybe even indignation, of your comment.
That is why I said borderline because it is so very similar to racism, there is no word that define what is happening o us except discrimination
My fellow RP mod, that's...that's horrible! It's horrible and just so brilliant it might actually work! Now, I think I know where to get some poison...
Don't make a big deal out of it, just do what you do and if he still throws a fit about it that's on him.
Well I want to be an attorney xD This takes away your first amendment rights. Heck I'd keep doing it and refuse to stop. If you get suspended call the fuzz. I'd take stickers from series 2 and stick them on his door... IT'S PEACEFUL!
The only ways to stop bullies from bullying are to either beat up the bullies or make the bullies see a shrink over a long period. Removing fandom paraphernalia only changes the bullies focus. Years before the real Columbine I contemplated overkill action against my bullies, instead I joined the football team and Defensive Line but an end to my bullies for me hehe. As for the unfair rules, I always support civil disobedience; had this happened at my school my friends and I would of plastered the school in MLP stickers and graffiti and the skaters would of probably helped us. These issues are important enough I thought I'd chime in on the dead thread .
Lots of thread resurrection going on these days... Well, since I'm here.... I dunno if anyone here has brought this up or is even aware of this, but while you're in school all the teachers and staff basically have a certain degree of legal gaurdianship of you. The official term is "In Loco Parentis" and it's Latin for "In place of a parent." Which means that to a certain degree the staff and teachers are legally your parents while at school, and can make decisions on your behalf without your consent. Things such as locker searchers, dress code, etc all fall under this provision. So basically, while you're at school, you do not have a first amendment right. You can only express yourself and your opinions to the extent that the school allows. The logic behind this is obvious...the first amendment allows for all forms of free speech, including hate speech, racism, etc., so being given first amendment rights would automatically allow you all forms of free speech - even the bad ones - which are obviously a no-no at school. So for all intents and purposes, as a minor you do not have any rights. You have only what the school allows, the same as if you were at home - your rights only extend up to what your parents decide is ok. Whether or not ponies should be allowed is pretty much irrelevant, if the school decides that there shall be no pony merch brought to school, then there will be no pony merch brought to school and that's that. For the record I agree that it's a stupid rule, but it is what it is and calling up a lawyer or whatever other ridiculous things I've seen mentioned here is well...ridiculous.
That is ridiculous! People need to understand MLP better and not ruin it for the people who DO understand! There's nothing wrong with MLP and it's just awesome. Some people don't see that and don't understand it! I hope ponies are un-banned at your school and your teacher sees the good in MLP.
Suppressing harmless individual expression for the sake of preserving age-old bureaucratic nonsense? Sorry, but I have to side with the kids who practice civil disobedience against such a misguided and highly arbitrary set of forced "ethics". If this were me back in high school, I'd have covered the teacher's car with pony stickers from bumper to bumper...and endured the subsequent suspension with pride.
