Abstract

In modern liberal democracies, our freedom of speech is rightly respected. We are all permitted to argue for the truth of whatever we believe, both in private and in public forums. We are permitted to persuade others, if we can, to live in certain ways and not to do certain things, to take a particular view of the good life for human beings, and to believe certain things rather than others. You won't be surprised to learn that many atheists think that children should not be indoctrinated with the teachings of a particular religious system. Criticism of religion has its place in the public square just as much as religion does, but antireligious speech is often criticized in a way that goes beyond attempts at refutation to a suggestion that it is socially unacceptable. Freedom of religion requires that governments restrict themselves to protecting and promoting worldly interests.