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Goodbye Jesus

Pastors And Preaching At My University


sparklingphoenix

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So I am on the bus right now and at every single stop there is a pastor or church man waiting with what they call "literature." They try to hand it out to every student that gets off the bus. This really annoys the shit out of me. Is this an okay thing to do? Almost every month there are religious fanatics that yell through megaphones at the students to repent and turn to Jesus at the student center. There is also a rapping duo who rap about god through blaring speakers in the most populated part of campus. Last year a pro-life group erected an enormouse, probably 1 story high poster of bloody and deformed fetuses. It was really disturbing, and I don't want to see that. I can tolerate all this but it really does get on my nerves to be bombarded with this on my university campus every day. I'm here to educate myself, I don't want to be bothered by religion here. What do you guys think? I know I'm living in the American south and I don't have the ability to leave quite yet, but sometimes I just get so tired of the overwhelming obsession with Christianity here, and I feel like I can't get away from it sometimes. My mom also got me to watch a Christian movie. I wouldn't have watched it if I knew it was Christian propaganda, but it's called," Moms' Night Out." She said it was really funny and would be nice to watch with he daughter. Maybe I'll write a review about it somewhere else but it was so stereotypical and trite, I couldn't finish it and we quit watching. Maybe I've just been over exposed to religion lately. Ahhhhh!!!!!!!

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If you have to stay hidden then there is nothing you can do about it.  Plan on moving to a big city someday.  Make it your long term goal to get away to someplace sane.

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Yes I already have plans to go far far away after I graduate. I'll graduate in may so not too much longer. It just gets to me sometimes. Right now I'm keeping it a secret from my family and one friend.

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in private university, they are allowed to do that

they can give u the pamphlet or promotional book as much as they like

they can yell about god as much as they like

they can tell you about god as much as they like

they can make as many services as they like

but

they cannot force you to take the pamphlet or promotional book

they cannot force you to hear what they said about god

they cannot force you to attend the service they held

and most importantly, they cannot force you to be a christian

 

just ignore them and don't take their promotional stuff

or take it and throw it away

 

I studied in christian university, many times they promote the services for staffs and students

I never attended even once.

Although one of my friends always attending the service solely because they are providing free lunch

 

if christians are considering themselves as the salt that's fine, just put the salt in the shaker, I'll grab it if I want to use it as much as I want but I don't want people to push down a bag of salt to my mouth 

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 I know I'm living in the American south...

 

Says it all. You won't be able to escape it in the South, just try to ignore it the best you can while you secretly plot your exit strategy. 

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in private university, they are allowed to do that

they can give u the pamphlet or promotional book as much as they like

they can yell about god as much as they like

they can tell you about god as much as they like

they can make as many services as they like

but

they cannot force you to take the pamphlet or promotional book

they cannot force you to hear what they said about god

they cannot force you to attend the service they held

and most importantly, they cannot force you to be a christian

 

just ignore them and don't take their promotional stuff

or take it and throw it away

 

I studied in christian university, many times they promote the services for staffs and students

I never attended even once.

Although one of my friends always attending the service solely because they are providing free lunch

 

if christians are considering themselves as the salt that's fine, just put the salt in the shaker, I'll grab it if I want to use it as much as I want but I don't want people to push down a bag of salt to my mouth

 

I am actually at a public university, so I was wondering if I made a complaint if that would change anything. If I went to a private university I would probably have gone insane by now! >.< I just feel like it's noise pollution with all the yelling into microphones, and the abortion poster was utterly morbid. If they put that up again I'm going to complain about it.

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I know I'm living in the American south...

 

 

Says it all. You won't be able to escape it in the South, just try to ignore it the best you can while you secretly plot your exit strategy.

;~; I hate it so much! Sometimes I try to laugh at it, but other times it just really bothers me. I will try to stick it out till May, then I'm out of here!

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So I am on the bus right now and at every single stop there is a pastor or church man waiting with what they call "literature." They try to hand it out to every student that gets off the bus. This really annoys the shit out of me. Is this an okay thing to do? Almost every month there are religious fanatics that yell through megaphones at the students to repent and turn to Jesus at the student center. There is also a rapping duo who rap about god through blaring speakers in the most populated part of campus. Last year a pro-life group erected an enormouse, probably 1 story high poster of bloody and deformed fetuses. It was really disturbing, and I don't want to see that. I can tolerate all this but it really does get on my nerves to be bombarded with this on my university campus every day. I'm here to educate myself, I don't want to be bothered by religion here. What do you guys think? I know I'm living in the American south and I don't have the ability to leave quite yet, but sometimes I just get so tired of the overwhelming obsession with Christianity here, and I feel like I can't get away from it sometimes. My mom also got me to watch a Christian movie. I wouldn't have watched it if I knew it was Christian propaganda, but it's called," Moms' Night Out." She said it was really funny and would be nice to watch with he daughter. Maybe I'll write a review about it somewhere else but it was so stereotypical and trite, I couldn't finish it and we quit watching. Maybe I've just been over exposed to religion lately. Ahhhhh!!!!!!!

 

Take as many free pamphlets as they will give you. Then throw them away. :-)

 

Stand in front of the bloody fetus poster while you munch on a juicy hambuger. :-)

 

Get one of those fun little air horns (that you always hear people squealing at the football games) and blast the megaphone people.

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in private university, they are allowed to do that

they can give u the pamphlet or promotional book as much as they like

they can yell about god as much as they like

they can tell you about god as much as they like

they can make as many services as they like

but

they cannot force you to take the pamphlet or promotional book

they cannot force you to hear what they said about god

they cannot force you to attend the service they held

and most importantly, they cannot force you to be a christian

 

just ignore them and don't take their promotional stuff

or take it and throw it away

 

I studied in christian university, many times they promote the services for staffs and students

I never attended even once.

Although one of my friends always attending the service solely because they are providing free lunch

 

if christians are considering themselves as the salt that's fine, just put the salt in the shaker, I'll grab it if I want to use it as much as I want but I don't want people to push down a bag of salt to my mouth

I am actually at a public university, so I was wondering if I made a complaint if that would change anything. If I went to a private university I would probably have gone insane by now! >.< I just feel like it's noise pollution with all the yelling into microphones, and the abortion poster was utterly morbid. If they put that up again I'm going to complain about it.

 

 

"Dear College President, I (or my parents) refuse to spend another dime at this college if there are any more abortion posters or street preachers allowed to practice on campus. I cannot study with the noise of the megaphone people or the rappers. This is a learning environment, not a church. I will be spending my money at a learning environment only."

 

---------

 

"Dear State Attorney General or State Division of Investigation, College X which is paid for with government tax dollars does a variety of religious solicitation that irritates me. I believe this college's promotion of religious activities violates the religious establishment clause of the Constitution."

 

---------

 

Dear US Senator, US Representative, State Senator, FFRF, ACLU, or Secular Humanist Organization....see State Attorney General's letter.

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State college campuses have to let outsiders come on the campus because its public. Private colleges don't have to allow it.

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Take as many free pamphlets as they will give you. Then throw them away. :-)

 

Stand in front of the bloody fetus poster while you munch on a juicy hambuger. :-)

 

Get one of those fun little air horns (that you always hear people squealing at the football games) and blast the megaphone people.

I love your idea to take their literature and throw it away. In fact maybe ill ask for 5 of them next time. I also just want to tell them that, yes it is LITERATURE. At least they are right about one thing ( they are referring to new testament bibles as literature). Another fun thing to do would be to hand them atheist pamphlets. :P

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 I know I'm living in the American south...

 

Says it all. You won't be able to escape it in the South, just try to ignore it the best you can while you secretly plot your exit strategy. 

 

 

As an American our southern region embarassas me when I talk with anyone not from the US. A lot of people from over seas think that we are all like only a few are in the south. It sucks that we are often judged on the most ignorant zone of our region...

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Take as many free pamphlets as they will give you. Then throw them away. :-)

 

Stand in front of the bloody fetus poster while you munch on a juicy hambuger. :-)

 

Get one of those fun little air horns (that you always hear people squealing at the football games) and blast the megaphone people.

I love your idea to take their literature and throw it away. In fact maybe ill ask for 5 of them next time. I also just want to tell them that, yes it is LITERATURE. At least they are right about one thing ( they are referring to new testament bibles as literature). Another fun thing to do would be to hand them atheist pamphlets. tongue.png

 

 

It is free fire started for your back yard pit. You could regift it to bums for coat insulation. make paper air planes out of it and then fly them into a wall of fire while filming it then post it and give them the address to the video next time you see them.

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in private university, they are allowed to do that

they can give u the pamphlet or promotional book as much as they like

they can yell about god as much as they like

they can tell you about god as much as they like

they can make as many services as they like

but

they cannot force you to take the pamphlet or promotional book

they cannot force you to hear what they said about god

they cannot force you to attend the service they held

and most importantly, they cannot force you to be a christian

 

just ignore them and don't take their promotional stuff

or take it and throw it away

 

I studied in christian university, many times they promote the services for staffs and students

I never attended even once.

Although one of my friends always attending the service solely because they are providing free lunch

 

if christians are considering themselves as the salt that's fine, just put the salt in the shaker, I'll grab it if I want to use it as much as I want but I don't want people to push down a bag of salt to my mouth

I am actually at a public university, so I was wondering if I made a complaint if that would change anything. If I went to a private university I would probably have gone insane by now! >.< I just feel like it's noise pollution with all the yelling into microphones, and the abortion poster was utterly morbid. If they put that up again I'm going to complain about it.

 

 

"Dear College President, I (or my parents) refuse to spend another dime at this college if there are any more abortion posters or street preachers allowed to practice on campus. I cannot study with the noise of the megaphone people or the rappers. This is a learning environment, not a church. I will be spending my money at a learning environment only."

 

---------

 

"Dear State Attorney General or State Division of Investigation, College X which is paid for with government tax dollars does a variety of religious solicitation that irritates me. I believe this college's promotion of religious activities violates the religious establishment clause of the Constitution."

 

---------

 

Dear US Senator, US Representative, State Senator, FFRF, ACLU, or Secular Humanist Organization....see State Attorney General's letter.

 

 

All those groups have a right to free speech.  Free speech isn't always comfortable, but it's an ideal that makes the world a better place to live for all.  The college, from what I've read here, doesn't promote religion.  It simply doesn't stop it from being preached in public areas.  Big difference. 

 

You have the right to send these letters, but I for one would be extremely disturbed if they were successful in their purpose of banning free speech; even if it's speech I strongly disagree with.

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in private university, they are allowed to do that

they can give u the pamphlet or promotional book as much as they like

they can yell about god as much as they like

they can tell you about god as much as they like

they can make as many services as they like

but

they cannot force you to take the pamphlet or promotional book

they cannot force you to hear what they said about god

they cannot force you to attend the service they held

and most importantly, they cannot force you to be a christian

 

just ignore them and don't take their promotional stuff

or take it and throw it away

 

I studied in christian university, many times they promote the services for staffs and students

I never attended even once.

Although one of my friends always attending the service solely because they are providing free lunch

 

if christians are considering themselves as the salt that's fine, just put the salt in the shaker, I'll grab it if I want to use it as much as I want but I don't want people to push down a bag of salt to my mouth

 

I am actually at a public university, so I was wondering if I made a complaint if that would change anything. If I went to a private university I would probably have gone insane by now! >.< I just feel like it's noise pollution with all the yelling into microphones, and the abortion poster was utterly morbid. If they put that up again I'm going to complain about it.

 

"Dear College President, I (or my parents) refuse to spend another dime at this college if there are any more abortion posters or street preachers allowed to practice on campus. I cannot study with the noise of the megaphone people or the rappers. This is a learning environment, not a church. I will be spending my money at a learning environment only."

 

---------

 

"Dear State Attorney General or State Division of Investigation, College X which is paid for with government tax dollars does a variety of religious solicitation that irritates me. I believe this college's promotion of religious activities violates the religious establishment clause of the Constitution."

 

---------

 

Dear US Senator, US Representative, State Senator, FFRF, ACLU, or Secular Humanist Organization....see State Attorney General's letter.

 

All those groups have a right to free speech.  Free speech isn't always comfortable, but it's an ideal that makes the world a better place to live for all.  The college, from what I've read here, doesn't promote religion.  It simply doesn't stop it from being preached in public areas.  Big difference. 

 

You have the right to send these letters, but I for one would be extremely disturbed if they were successful in their purpose of banning free speech; even if it's speech I strongly disagree with.

I have been looking into this and does seem that universities have spaces considered as public fora, so I just have to put up with it. I do agree with you. I just wish those people would be a little less obnoxious. They are extremely loud on their megaphones and large speakers and sometimes I need to plug my ears when I'm walking through that area. If I do complain I may ask that they at least turn down the volume. I like to stay on campus outside and study sometimes so it's really annoying to hear all the racket they cause. I didn't know the universities are considered a place where everyone is allowed to come and spread their message even if it's offensive. I don't come to school for that, I come to attend classes that I pay for, so that was my issue. Sigh, I just have more semester after this.

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in private university, they are allowed to do that

they can give u the pamphlet or promotional book as much as they like

they can yell about god as much as they like

they can tell you about god as much as they like

they can make as many services as they like

but

they cannot force you to take the pamphlet or promotional book

they cannot force you to hear what they said about god

they cannot force you to attend the service they held

and most importantly, they cannot force you to be a christian

 

just ignore them and don't take their promotional stuff

or take it and throw it away

 

I studied in christian university, many times they promote the services for staffs and students

I never attended even once.

Although one of my friends always attending the service solely because they are providing free lunch

 

if christians are considering themselves as the salt that's fine, just put the salt in the shaker, I'll grab it if I want to use it as much as I want but I don't want people to push down a bag of salt to my mouth

I am actually at a public university, so I was wondering if I made a complaint if that would change anything. If I went to a private university I would probably have gone insane by now! >.< I just feel like it's noise pollution with all the yelling into microphones, and the abortion poster was utterly morbid. If they put that up again I'm going to complain about it.

 

 

"Dear College President, I (or my parents) refuse to spend another dime at this college if there are any more abortion posters or street preachers allowed to practice on campus. I cannot study with the noise of the megaphone people or the rappers. This is a learning environment, not a church. I will be spending my money at a learning environment only."

 

---------

 

"Dear State Attorney General or State Division of Investigation, College X which is paid for with government tax dollars does a variety of religious solicitation that irritates me. I believe this college's promotion of religious activities violates the religious establishment clause of the Constitution."

 

---------

 

Dear US Senator, US Representative, State Senator, FFRF, ACLU, or Secular Humanist Organization....see State Attorney General's letter.

 

 

All those groups have a right to free speech.  Free speech isn't always comfortable, but it's an ideal that makes the world a better place to live for all.  The college, from what I've read here, doesn't promote religion.  It simply doesn't stop it from being preached in public areas.  Big difference. 

 

You have the right to send these letters, but I for one would be extremely disturbed if they were successful in their purpose of banning free speech; even if it's speech I strongly disagree with.

 

 

 

I'm for free speech too but not when it is done in a harassing manner.  Expecting people to behave in a orderly manner does not stop them from expressing their ideas.  The harassment is of course an effort to prevent others from ignoring the message.  But the right to ignore a message is just as important as the right to express your message.

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in private university, they are allowed to do that

they can give u the pamphlet or promotional book as much as they like

they can yell about god as much as they like

they can tell you about god as much as they like

they can make as many services as they like

but

they cannot force you to take the pamphlet or promotional book

they cannot force you to hear what they said about god

they cannot force you to attend the service they held

and most importantly, they cannot force you to be a christian

 

just ignore them and don't take their promotional stuff

or take it and throw it away

 

I studied in christian university, many times they promote the services for staffs and students

I never attended even once.

Although one of my friends always attending the service solely because they are providing free lunch

 

if christians are considering themselves as the salt that's fine, just put the salt in the shaker, I'll grab it if I want to use it as much as I want but I don't want people to push down a bag of salt to my mouth

I am actually at a public university, so I was wondering if I made a complaint if that would change anything. If I went to a private university I would probably have gone insane by now! >.< I just feel like it's noise pollution with all the yelling into microphones, and the abortion poster was utterly morbid. If they put that up again I'm going to complain about it.

 

 

"Dear College President, I (or my parents) refuse to spend another dime at this college if there are any more abortion posters or street preachers allowed to practice on campus. I cannot study with the noise of the megaphone people or the rappers. This is a learning environment, not a church. I will be spending my money at a learning environment only."

 

---------

 

"Dear State Attorney General or State Division of Investigation, College X which is paid for with government tax dollars does a variety of religious solicitation that irritates me. I believe this college's promotion of religious activities violates the religious establishment clause of the Constitution."

 

---------

 

Dear US Senator, US Representative, State Senator, FFRF, ACLU, or Secular Humanist Organization....see State Attorney General's letter.

 

 

All those groups have a right to free speech.  Free speech isn't always comfortable, but it's an ideal that makes the world a better place to live for all.  The college, from what I've read here, doesn't promote religion.  It simply doesn't stop it from being preached in public areas.  Big difference. 

 

You have the right to send these letters, but I for one would be extremely disturbed if they were successful in their purpose of banning free speech; even if it's speech I strongly disagree with.

 

 

How much does the megaphone, which is louder than my voice, infringe on my own right to free speech (I cant yell that loud) or disturb my peace? Not sure how to measure that, but I believe it does infringe. Having to walk by large pictures of aborted fetuses also violates common decency.

 

The people handing out the pamphlets are more acceptable to me. I believe in free speech (megaphone noise pollution? No.) , people just dont have to be obnoxious about it. There's always someone at my hometown DMV quietly protesting something or wanting me to sign a petition. I can deal with that. When it becomes a too often and overbearing demonstration in one's work, school, or some other place I regularly need to be then it needs to be toned down some. 

 

I do see your point, Vigile. We need our free speech rights. Even if I dont agree with that speech. I just shouldn't be forced to hear (or see) it above the other speech in the area.

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  But the right to ignore a message is just as important as the right to express your message.

 

 

"The ability" to ignore a message is just as important as the ability to hear it. :-)

 

Perhaps a small sign that says, "Pro-life Information Here" where people could quietly talk about it to other interested parties would be do-able.

 

One problem with protestors is their passion often overrides common sense and kindness to others. I don't particularly want any ideas loudly or over-visually forced at me. Right now we have street corners peppered with campaign signs, some of which are plastered on the sides of semi-trailers. They are huge which makes them offensive. :-) Aw well, just one of life's many minor irritations.

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  But the right to ignore a message is just as important as the right to express your message.

 

 

"The ability" to ignore a message is just as important as the ability to hear it. :-)

 

Perhaps a small sign that says, "Pro-life Information Here" where people could quietly talk about it to other interested parties would be do-able.

 

One problem with protestors is their passion often overrides common sense and kindness to others. I don't particularly want any ideas loudly or over-visually forced at me. Right now we have street corners peppered with campaign signs, some of which are plastered on the sides of semi-trailers. They are huge which makes them offensive. :-) Aw well, just one of life's many minor irritations.

 

 

You've pretty much summed up my feelings in all your posts. I don't mind pamphlets being handed out if I can walk in an alternate rout to avoid it. People standing at every single bus stop does bother me because I can't avoid it. The megaphones and loud speakers and blasting music is the next level up. It's extremely loud and I'm actually pretty sensitive to loud noises as well. When this does happen, it goes on for hours, so I definitely feel that my rights to freedom from noise pollution/ harassment could be argued for. I think some people had complained about the abortion poster because there was actually an article about it. http://www.redandblack.com/uganews/campus/anti-abortion-demonstration-brings-constructive-dialogue-to-campus/article_52ad3fc8-a351-11e3-9be0-0017a43b2370.html

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 I know I'm living in the American south...

 

Says it all. You won't be able to escape it in the South, just try to ignore it the best you can while you secretly plot your exit strategy. 

 

 

As an American our southern region embarassas me when I talk with anyone not from the US. A lot of people from over seas think that we are all like only a few are in the south. It sucks that we are often judged on the most ignorant zone of our region...

 

sigh, yeah my roommate's fiancé from England came to visit her here for the first time two years ago and he was shocked at the religiosity here. I had fun sharing stories about my fundie family with them.

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I taught at a public university and the institution supported free speech. But there are also permissible limits on time, place and manner of that speech. Our university required such activity to be confined to a "free speech" area and preachers were frequently seen there. You might inquire if your U. has such limits. I'd think you should be able to get off the bus without being accosted.

 

I seem to recall (but not sure if it was our U. or some other) that a screaming preacher was hollering at passing students and called one woman some derogatory name relating to sexual conduct. I can't remember the name but it was probably "whore", "fornicator", or something similar. She filed a civil complaint against him for slander and took him to court. He shut up after that.

 

If you feel you are being harassed, take videos and complain to the university administration. If you don't get action, contact the ACLU.

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I taught at a public university and the institution supported free speech. But there are also permissible limits on time, place and manner of that speech. Our university required such activity to be confined to a "free speech" area and preachers were frequently seen there. You might inquire if your U. has such limits. I'd think you should be able to get off the bus without being accosted.

 

I seem to recall (but not sure if it was our U. or some other) that a screaming preacher was hollering at passing students and called one woman some derogatory name relating to sexual conduct. I can't remember the name but it was probably "whore", "fornicator", or something similar. She filed a civil complaint against him for slander and took him to court. He shut up after that.

 

If you feel you are being harassed, take videos and complain to the university administration. If you don't get action, contact the ACLU.

Thank you older, this is very helpful! I haven't experienced something as bad as that poor girl at your school luckily. I've taken videos of the rapping guys using the huge speakers so I could use that to prove how loud and disturbing they are. I'm not sure if it will be enough though. I don't know if the bus stops are considered free speech areas, so I may look into that. The pastors do that several times every year, and I have taken pictures of them from inside the bus.

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I wonder what's on their mind tho?

how shoving their stuff to my throat will make me want to join them or be like them? 

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How much does the megaphone, which is louder than my voice, infringe on my own right to free speech (I cant yell that loud) or disturb my peace?

There may be a sound ordinance issue here that can be pursued.

 

Not sure how to measure that, but I believe it does infringe. Having to walk by large pictures of aborted fetuses also violates common decency.

 

 

Common decency is subjective and hugely prone to abuse (is Playboy decent? How about atheist billboards?).  I'd much prefer the courts and police keep a hands off approach here.  No one has a right to NOT be offended. 

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Perhaps a small sign that says, "Pro-life Information Here" where people could quietly talk about it to other interested parties would be do-able.

 

The problem with restricting speech like this is it allows the law to render it ineffective. 

 

Imagine if Occupy Wallstreet were limited to protests like "anti-Wall Street info here" or if the Vietnam protestors were only allowed to put up a sign advertising "Anti-war information available upon request".  How effective is this at gaining political momentum? 

 

In order to allow political movements to gain momentum, we have to allow a legitimate free exchange of ideas.  Otherwise the only ideas that win will be those commonly accepted, or the status quo.  In this case, the proverbial 'man' is always going to win. 

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