Such delicate and tender social sensibilities we all suddenly have. As a Christian, people deliberately trying to offend me is merely part of the background noise of my life. Can't say I see it every day, but every week is probably fair.

Does "intentionally offending Christians" taste just as bad to you? I address this to everyone who would agree with that statement, not you personally, because I'm sure the answer is "yes" for some people. I mean it more an a question for introspection, because it's been a long time since I've actually been offended by anything.

And if the answer is no, my followup question would be "What's the difference?" and "Are you sure that's a social incentive structure you want to set up?" Allowing people to cow you with threats like this goes beyond even religion; "give me my handouts or I'll commit violence" is a threat that has been used in the real world, after all, it's not even theoretical. It's better not to encourage that.

Freedom of speech isn't for tasteful, inoffensive, popular speech as that doesn't need any protection. Freedom of speech is there for the unpopular, offensive, tasteless, vile, and controversial because sometimes what needs to be said may be interpreted or portrayed as any of those things.

Yes.

I mean it more an a question for introspection, because it's been a long time since I've actually been offended by anything.

Thanks for framing the question this way. I hadn't really considered it until you did.

Seconded. South Park's portrayals of Jesus are extremely offensive. Does Comedy Central censor that? Nope. Do I make death threats? Nope. I just don't watch.

So Comedy Central's lesson for extremist "Christian" or "Hindu" or "Muslim" groups is this: to silence those who offend you, make death threats. It works!

This cartoonist's campaign is an attempt to make the opposite statement: threats will not control us. And if IT works, we'll all be better off.