Are these statements offensive?

[JellySlice]

And if so, to whom? Are there any circumstances where it is acceptable or unacceptable to state them publicly?

"Jesus was not the Messiah."
"Mohammed was not the last prophet."
"There is more than one god."

Does it make any difference if these statements are preceded by "I believe that..."?

Jesus: "you are all sinners"
Humans: "that's offensive! Don't generalise!"

The issue with hate crime and the proposed Scottish legislation as well, is that the offence is in the perception of the "victim" being offended.

The problem is that you cannot have a list of words and phrases that are illegal as those who intend to offend would just tweak things a little.

iklewise some people who woudl be entitled to be offended by the phrase or word will shrug it off if said by one person, but raise heck in a handbasket if someone else says it.

The Scottish legislation would also put the presumption of guilt first so the defendant would have to prove innocence.

@DeaconBoo

Jesus: "you are all sinners" Humans: "that's offensive! Don't generalise!"

Quite!

NAHALT = Not all humans are like that...

Telling people you think their beliefs are nonsense is offensive

I've had this all my life - that is I have been told that my belief that women are oppressed is nonsense.