Re: Freedom of Speech

No one can be more grateful for the freedom of speech that is guaranteed by the US constitution than yours truly.  However, freedom of speech, as noble and lofty a concept as it is, is only a guaranteed in the US, and perhaps in other first world nations.  However, the internet, vast land of unprecedented and historically uncharted waters, is not under the guarantees of any national constitution.   Private websites thus have a right to apply whichever rules they wish to impose.  In the case of Curezone, where the main objective of the website is to discuss and share  alternative health modality experiences, the fact that the Webmaster at one point decided to set up forums where the very ideas centric to the website could be challenged, is a champion example of good will towards free speech.  However, it must be remembered that this is a courtesy, and a noble and generous extension, but by no means a "right".

The fact that there are privileges given to us, does not mean that we have any intrinsic right to violate the freedoms that have been offered to us.  The internet is not the USA, and posters can come in from anywhere in the world.  Some persons who come to Curezone may live in countries where mentioning a dislike for their current ruler can bring on serious consequences.

This is not to say that I approve of oppresive governments nor that I would like to see a gestapo rule over Curezone, but rather I would like to point out that the freedom of speech that we enjoy on this site, were we can actually question and oppose the conventonal wisdom within the website's parameters, is a privilege, not a god given right.

Many of us have faced criticism and antagonism from other members of this board, and in fact have learned because of it to develop thicker skins.  However, serious accusations implying a person's opinions have "killed" others, go beyond the scope of 'freedom of speech'.  Even under the magnanimous US constitution, slander and character assasinations are a crime, punishable by law.

Big difference.