A Church group trying to exorcise the gay out of a teen is in the news. They were exorcising demons and the teen volunteered to have his gay demon exorcised. Isn't the criticism against the Church a violation of their right to practice their religion?
by 
Rollie
ANSWERS: 11
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No. It's for inflicting torture and voodoo against something that cannot be changed, if one merely listens to science and scientists (like the AMA and the APA). I thought that things like this went out in the 1600s. Sadly, it seems they didn't. Do they try to "cure" left-handedness as well? Check your history, this used to be thought of as "demonic" as well. What about eye color? Do they try to change that inborn trait too? With free speech we are free to criticize what practices we choose, especially when they are barbaric and cruel. A decent church would find the teen resources to help him deal with his inborn orientation. Example: www.pflag.org
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No matter how "barbaric" or ridiculous others see it, they should have every right to do so. I don't subscribe to that sort of thing but it's really none of my business. Criticism itself is not a violation... interference would be.
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Gay demon?Homosexuality is no greater sin than,adultery,drunkeness or idolatry.All sin is an abomination in the eyes of God.It is sin,not a demon.
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Simply criticizing someone for exercising their Constitutional right to act moronic is a Constitutional right itself. The church is quite within their rights practicing their silliness, and we have an equal right to mock them for doing so.
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Criticism doesn't violate any right because criticism doesn't stop or prevent the religion from practicing.
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It is our constitutional right to criticize them! Further, all religious practices are not condoned if they were, we couldn't stop the descendants of the Aztecs form cutting the heart out of a slave or volunteer to assure a good harvest. There must be limits on some freedoms, you can't yell FIRE in a theater and you can't joke about bombing the White House in the airport. Churches that specialize in torture need to be restrained.
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No, it isn't. Just because they have the right to do something doesn't mean they can't be criticised for it.
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No. They're exercising their right to free speech by criticizing this ridiculous behavior. In fact, I myself would criticize something so dumb. Gay demon? please. Not to say that I condone homosexuality. Gays are free to be gay, but if you ask me, I believe it to be wrong. But at the same time, I'm still somewhat dumbfounded to hear that someone that that gayness was caused by a "gay demon"...
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Perhaps the church ought to do like the "church of" Scientology did in the UK and pay off police officials so they pass out tickets to make holding a placard with the words "Cult" on it "offensive" and somehow criminal behavior. The Brits tossed it out of court thank goodness.
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Of course not. Criticism does not do anything to materially impede anyone's right to practice religion. It does not set any concrete barriers in anyone's way. Besides, as others have pointed out, the right to criticize is itself a fundamental one.
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Ok, here's a brief refresher on the First Amendment for those of you who slept through grade school civics class. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." All this means is that the GOVERNMENT can not establish a state church or prevent you from chosing your own religion. And the GOVERNMENT can not prevent you from voicing your unpopular views. But, the PEOPLE can punish you for your religion or your speech any way they like (e.g. boycotts and criticism) so long as they do not break any laws (including Public Accommodation statutes).
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