Pope Francis: Free expression doesn't mean right to insult others' faith

Every organisation in the world is decided by its present, not its past. The Holy See, like Japan, is no exception

Every organisation in the world is decided by its present, not its past. The Holy See, like Japan, is no exception

Bit like saying 'you have it just don't use it'

In reality this simply means 'you don't have it'

Do you agree that saying some religions are false religions and hold no truths is an insult?

The concept of religion is unclear in itself, and thus I agree with the pope. But of course I am against the extremist fringes. IMO, sarcasm and criticism should be met with criticism and sarcasm.

People will stop referring to their long and colourful history when the Catholic Church stops acting the way they do.

Do you mean the concept of insult? Or are you not answering my question at all?

Finally someone who's talking sense.

Lets examine it from a slightly different point of view- nationalism. A nationalist spirit is encouraged but chauvinism is not. If an outsider insults my country using some hurtful references, or insults the respect I have for our freedom fighters in the colonial era, then I will certainly condemn it if a fellow countryman responds with violence towards the outsider, however, I reserve the right to make the offence caused to me known and report the post.

With whose frame of reference?

It was his very Church from which our rights to freedom of expression were originally won.

He has every right to an opinion and we have every right to tell him where to go

I don't agree. I respect the church, as much as I respect every religion in this world, but I believe the church became more 'open' only after the French revolution

Freedom of speech is something that is fundamentally virtuous. This is not, however, equivalent to saying that it should be encouraged in all circumstances. We all have the right to swear at our parents or tell our teacher they are a manic tyrant. Should we do this? Best not.

The answer, though, is not to leave the issue at that. If you have serious issues with your teacher, sit them down and talk. That's the key word here - talk.

Criticism of religion is healthy and, as a Christian, I welcome and encourage it. I respect that you have the right to mock my religion - many people do - though I would much rather civilised discussion rather than inflammatory cartoons.

A part of the French revolution was casting off Papal oppression, that is why to the average Brit, the French seem so obsessed with freedom of expression, freedom to mock, freedom to criticise, it is a part of their national DNA.