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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Freedom of speech isn't tolerated by some

855 replies

WhatNextBanana · 10/09/2025 22:58

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/comment/2025/09/10/charlie-kirks-shooting-terrible-moment-american-democracy/

Political violence on the rise.

People are getting angry when people have Political views they don't agree with. Freedom of speech must be allowed not shutdown.

Tragic news of a young family man shot by someone today. Please remember he was a human with a family. Violence is never ok.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
13
ExtraOnions · 11/09/2025 09:38

smallpinecone · 11/09/2025 09:35

I’m a Catholic myself, and disagree with everything you’ve said, so please don’t think you speak for all of us.

…in particular, what is it you disagree with ?

ForeverScout · 11/09/2025 09:40

RowanRed90 · 11/09/2025 08:56

It's not freedom. Looking at the shocking level of gloating today, it's clear that liberals don't want to see the means of violence outlawed, they just want a monopoly on it and for their political opponents to be denied access. This sets the cause back somewhat.

I usually assume at least half of all content and comments online are the work of bots and trolls - ie not real - and the more inflammatory, cruel or extreme the posts are the more likely they are indeed the work of bots and trolls. I used to play spot the bot with myself but then it got boring, there were so many. I think in real life the views on this are likely much more temperate than online.

Bagsintheboot · 11/09/2025 09:40

Wishing14 · 11/09/2025 09:36

@BagsinthebootI mean it’s a thread about free speech, I’m giving my opinion. I don’t think it will drastically hinder the FBIs investigation

Ok, and what if you're wrong? What if it's not an anti-Christian hard-left shooter but is instead an extremely religious Trump supporter who, for whatever reason, didn't like CK? Do you think what you posted will have helped in any way?

Speculation only serves to fan division and hatred. At a time like this that's an awful thing to be doing.

Wishing14 · 11/09/2025 09:41

@ExtraOnionshe was anti-violence. Listen to him

smallpinecone · 11/09/2025 09:41

ExtraOnions · 11/09/2025 09:38

…in particular, what is it you disagree with ?

I disagree with your statement that being a Christian means adhering to values and principles you personally hold dear. You are not the arbiter; you have no right to judge who is and who is not a Christian based on your own personal moral code and views on guns.

Wishing14 · 11/09/2025 09:41

@BagsinthebootI already answered that point earlier.

MrsSkylerWhite · 11/09/2025 09:43

The far right is very much in favour of free speech, until someone says something that doesn’t align with its views. Farage, as an example. An Irish comedy writer arrested, shocking. The UK has become North Korea. Jo Brand should be locked up, though. Hypocrisy.

Jimmyneutronsforehead · 11/09/2025 09:43

cassandre · 10/09/2025 23:11

A better title for this thread would be, 'Those who live by the sword die by the sword.'

His supporters sent out a lot of thoughts and prayers tonight, which is their usual response to any type of gun violence.

Hear hear

Wishing14 · 11/09/2025 09:44

@Jimmyneutronsforeheadhis fundamental view was that we should debate and discuss and connect and be able to disagree WITHOUT resorting to violence

smallpinecone · 11/09/2025 09:45

MrsSkylerWhite · 11/09/2025 09:43

The far right is very much in favour of free speech, until someone says something that doesn’t align with its views. Farage, as an example. An Irish comedy writer arrested, shocking. The UK has become North Korea. Jo Brand should be locked up, though. Hypocrisy.

The more speech, the better. It’s how we progress as human beings, debating and refining our views and ideas. Otherwise we’re lost.

ExtraOnions · 11/09/2025 09:45

smallpinecone · 11/09/2025 09:41

I disagree with your statement that being a Christian means adhering to values and principles you personally hold dear. You are not the arbiter; you have no right to judge who is and who is not a Christian based on your own personal moral code and views on guns.

…no, it means holding to the principles that Jesus taught us of Love, Peace, Tolerance, supporting your neighbour etc.

If there are other things Jesus told us that advocates for Gun violence the death penalty, refusing refuge, not helping the poor etc .. please point it out to me.

The Christian Right use religion to try to justify some horrible views. Like wearing a cross makes them more acceptable.

lljkk · 11/09/2025 09:48

Every day thousands of people get murdered because of anger, passion, derangement, out of power or financial dispute or due to sheer cruelty. And a dozen other reasons I haven't thought of.

Does anyone start 1000 post threads about each of those murders? No because... ? "Oh well it can't be helped"

Then ONE Flipping guy seems to have been murdered "because of his opinions" and It's Really Important to talk about That. And why this particular murder is especially "tragic". With people posting on the thread "no one should be murdered because of their views" (guess that makes all the other murders possibly ok, then, they must have been justified murders, and aren't anywhere as tragic)

FFS, what is wrong with people who can't Care about the Thousands who died yesterday from ordinary murders, never put half as much effort into caring about them.

SerendipityJane · 11/09/2025 09:49

WhatNextBanana · 10/09/2025 23:02

I understand most images have been removed. Should never be allowed to be shared. Children shouldn't be exposed to that type of content.

Well they're safe from that in the UK at least.

smallpinecone · 11/09/2025 09:51

ExtraOnions · 11/09/2025 09:38

…in particular, what is it you disagree with ?

“Living a Christian life means not supporting guns… or the death penalty… not stopping gay rights… welcoming refugees” - these aren’t religious arguments or principles, it’s your own moral code. If that’s what being a a Christian means to you, fine. But you don’t have the right to judge others as being less Christian than you, or un-Christian, for holding different opinions and not conforming to your own particular moral code.

Wishing14 · 11/09/2025 09:52

@lljkkYou’re welcome to think that but you can’t police what people care about or find important, or what matters to them.

Tricorn · 11/09/2025 09:53

“It's worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year, so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights...That is a prudent deal,"

Thanks Charlie

Jimmyneutronsforehead · 11/09/2025 09:55

Wishing14 · 11/09/2025 09:44

@Jimmyneutronsforeheadhis fundamental view was that we should debate and discuss and connect and be able to disagree WITHOUT resorting to violence

I haven't said I wish violence on him.

I find it hard to have sympathy for somebody who said that to protect their 2nd amendment rights there's an acceptable proportion of people that will unfortunately die though.

I also find it hard to have sympathy for someone who is so anti-abortion, a policy which has already taken the lives of so many women who needed access to life saving health care.

I have sympathy for his family.

It's horrible that he died, and it's horrible that he died by gun violence. It's also horrible that he thought it was fine for others to die from gun violence just to protect the right to bear arms.

smallpinecone · 11/09/2025 09:56

ExtraOnions · 11/09/2025 09:45

…no, it means holding to the principles that Jesus taught us of Love, Peace, Tolerance, supporting your neighbour etc.

If there are other things Jesus told us that advocates for Gun violence the death penalty, refusing refuge, not helping the poor etc .. please point it out to me.

The Christian Right use religion to try to justify some horrible views. Like wearing a cross makes them more acceptable.

Yes, I’ll be sure to find the chapter and verse where Jesus advocated for gun violence 🙄

In any case, you will know that Jesus said his kingdom was not of this world. We cannot create heaven on Earth.

smallpinecone · 11/09/2025 10:00

ExtraOnions · 11/09/2025 09:45

…no, it means holding to the principles that Jesus taught us of Love, Peace, Tolerance, supporting your neighbour etc.

If there are other things Jesus told us that advocates for Gun violence the death penalty, refusing refuge, not helping the poor etc .. please point it out to me.

The Christian Right use religion to try to justify some horrible views. Like wearing a cross makes them more acceptable.

The Christian right are no less Christian than you. You’re doing the exact same thing they’re doing - using religion as a way to bolster your political views and beliefs, except you don’t like it when they do it.

Wishing14 · 11/09/2025 10:00

@JimmyneutronsforeheadI really believe that to solve hard issues we need to do exactly what he was trying to do - connect and debate with people, be asked difficult questions and listen to other people’s views. So I’m really very gutted with what has happened. It’s hard to speak up and say what you really think these days because most people are so black and white in their thinking. That if you don’t think like them, you’re stupid. I don’t agree with lots he said, but I deeply respected the young man and the fundamental principle he stood for.

Auroraloves · 11/09/2025 10:02

Wishing14 · 11/09/2025 10:00

@JimmyneutronsforeheadI really believe that to solve hard issues we need to do exactly what he was trying to do - connect and debate with people, be asked difficult questions and listen to other people’s views. So I’m really very gutted with what has happened. It’s hard to speak up and say what you really think these days because most people are so black and white in their thinking. That if you don’t think like them, you’re stupid. I don’t agree with lots he said, but I deeply respected the young man and the fundamental principle he stood for.

Well said

Zebedee999 · 11/09/2025 10:02

Unbelieveable that 24% disagree with the OP so presumably believe violence is ok if you disagree with someone.

user9637 · 11/09/2025 10:03

GeneralPeter · 11/09/2025 08:24

He didn’t “live by the sword” though. He lived by debating.

Not if you think words are literal violence

JohnnyRememberMe · 11/09/2025 10:03

I'm unshocked but disappointed that sounds many people on mumsnet saying he deserved to die because of his opinions.

Despicable. The lot of you.

H34th · 11/09/2025 10:04

lljkk · 11/09/2025 09:48

Every day thousands of people get murdered because of anger, passion, derangement, out of power or financial dispute or due to sheer cruelty. And a dozen other reasons I haven't thought of.

Does anyone start 1000 post threads about each of those murders? No because... ? "Oh well it can't be helped"

Then ONE Flipping guy seems to have been murdered "because of his opinions" and It's Really Important to talk about That. And why this particular murder is especially "tragic". With people posting on the thread "no one should be murdered because of their views" (guess that makes all the other murders possibly ok, then, they must have been justified murders, and aren't anywhere as tragic)

FFS, what is wrong with people who can't Care about the Thousands who died yesterday from ordinary murders, never put half as much effort into caring about them.

On my social media yesterday I had two murder posts - one was this man, and the other a young Ukrainian girl. The girl was killed with a knife on public transport and left to bleed to death with no intervention from the rest of the passengers (Charlotte, USA).

I hadn’t heard of either of these people but as the day went on, theres nothing about the girl, who died just because she was on that seat in the train, but a lot about the man - including statements from previous and current president.

I honestly have no idea what this man was about, but if his talks were hatred-insinuating and misogynistic, may be he wasn’t such a good family man either.