This past summer, I wrote a blog post about Convictions, Preferences, and Disagreements. I mentioned my concern that regardless of the topic, the art of civil disagreement in our culture has been replaced with uncontrolled vitriol.

This week, Jim Daly, President of Focus on the Family, wrote a blog post entitled, “‘Hate’ Is Too Big a Word to Be Used with Such Little Restraint.” Jim makes the point that having the right of free speech doesn’t negate our need to speak responsibly.

Americans pride themselves on the free exchange of thoughts and opinions in the marketplace of ideas. Yet it seems that it has become acceptable to demonize and marginalize anyone who does not agree with us. This applies to liberals and conservatives, the religious and atheists, Democrats and Republicans.

If we continue to stifle people whose values don’t line up with the politically correct standards of our day, someday that marketplace will offer no choice at all.

What do you think?