In today’s episode of Truth Wanted, Kelley Laughlin and Benjamin Clodfelter work through topics of bigotry, hate speech, and protecting the rights of LGBTQ+.

Mark in PA grew up learning that people are inherently good, however, he has observed that over the last 10 years, many have become openly prejudiced and racist. This is nothing new, it has just become fashionable lately to be hateful and we are hoping that it will die off soon. We are seeing more now because everyone is carrying a camera, and people have the ability to express their view to the world. The anonymity of the internet has enabled people to say harmful things with no consequences. You can be the person who encourages people to do better, even if it is the smallest difference. A small candle lights a dark corner of the world; everything that you do helps. What can we do about the hatred that spews out of the internet?

Keith in TX wants to discuss the paradox of tolerance where hate speech is allowed so it takes over and the only way to stop it is to become intolerant of the intolerant. This can be a tough uphill battle, but this is one that we can win. If there are no shared values, free speech is effectively dead. At what point is speech shut down and where is the line drawn for what you are advocating for? At what point do you go from having a conversation about free speech to promoting ideas that are limiting free speech? The best possible solution to dealing with this is to promote critical thinking. 

Mr. Crabs in MD calls to discuss LGBTQ+ in the military and the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy. Benjamin, a veteran, describes how important unit cohesion and accomplishing the mission is within the military and how it can be very progressive with how it handles things. What ended up happening is the people who were passionate about not wanting gay people, got out of the military or they just sucked it up. There is more of a commonality than there are differences. Kelley, also a veteran, emphasizes the importance of finding those common things with theists to have friendly conversations. The best thing you can do for the atheist community is to let people know that you are a good person as an atheist, and not the baby eating stereotype that people think. 

Thank you for tuning in this week! The prompt for the week is: What is a weird thing to be offended by?

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