Easily Offended Individuals.

I honestly think some people are justified in their anger.

If you go on and talk bad about someone's religion/race/sexual orientation/gender identity, they have every right to get as mad as they want, because they're defending themselves. People have no right to question how others live their lives. For example, if you say to me, "I don't think gays should get married." (and I'm not saying you would, just to clarify) I would probably start screaming at you, because I have the right to make my case for my marriage rights.

However, if someone simply makes a comment about that religion and someone goes into an all caps rage, there's no reason for it. If you're not making an offensive joke or being insensitive to people's lifestyles, there's no reason for people to get angry. Simply mentioning Islam doesn't mean that person's calling Muslims terrorists.

I see what you mean on some level, but I think it all depends on the situation.

 

I think it's more a combination of other factors.

First, there's the desire to rage. Sometimes, people just really want to let out their anger against other individuals, and through debate is one way that can be done.

Second, there's trolling. Quite often nowadays people will troll others to provoke a response, thus making up opinions etc just with the intent to enrage and derail a debate.

Of course, it's entirely possible that the person on the other end is just too sensitive, which causes a whole new set of problems as the other people try to fix the problem, without hurting the offended ones feelings.

But all in all, I'd say that it's not really a case of people being too easily hurt, or even it being justified, but a mix of trolls and haters messing things up. It's a dire situation, but it's how it is right now.

Additional: I'm in agreement with [member='Cobalt'] here as well, cause sometimes there is a genuine reason to be mad, if it's comments that are made like that.

 

Well, it's definitely possible to be angry and not offended, but for those who actually get offended by someone's view or simple opinion, is the type of person who just needs to suck it up. For example, if I'm not a vegan, and you are, that's not my fault if it offends you. I will not artificially change myself just to make YOU happy. We can have a kind, intellectual debate, but if it gets to nothing but intentional flaming and petty insults, you're obviously offended and you have a hard time rationalizing things. Another example:
If I enjoy a certain band/song that you don't like yourself, that's not my problem, and if you hold grudges because of silly things like that, I would just say you're a very bitter individual who needs some light shed on.

There's a little something called freedom of speech (at least where I come from), which means I can say what I want, when I want, as long as it's not legitimate threatening speech of any kind; so if I think your religion sucks, or if I disagree with any of your political views, that's my opinion, and you shouldn't take it personal. So much social conditioning by the mainstream media over the years have turned a lot of people into wusses. They tell you to believe this & that, and the average sheeple will fall into the trap. You won't be tough nor rational until you can think for yourself. Making decisions based solely on emotions makes for a disastrous society.

 

Everything in the world seems to be part of a grand scheme designed to provoke, irritate, and frustrate all of us, and sometimes we just lash out when it's more than we can stand. But the truth is we just haven't learned to drop whatever is bugging us and move on.

You have no idea how good it feels when you can immunize yourself against the things that used to make you angry. I had to learn this through study and practice, since I used to throw furniture in school when certain kids used to make fun of me in a sneaky way. I remember when some guy pulled my school tie and thought it was funny. I lost my temper and pulled his tie so hard, they had to cut it off.

Now, that sort of thing usually doesn't bother me anymore, unless someone touches me. Make fun of my body, and I'll just shrug it off. Touch my body, and you're in deep trouble.

 

@[member="Nator"] said;
There's a little something called freedom of speech (at least where I come from), which means I can say what I want, when I want, as long as it's not legitimate threatening speech of any kind; so if I think your religion sucks, or if I disagree with any of your political views, that's my opinion, and you shouldn't take it personal.
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Yes, you are correct, there is freedom of speech. But if you are allowed to approach an individual && say that their religion sucks (Though the more respectful, less-ignorant-sounding way to go about it would be to say "I disagree with your religious views"), then they are allowed to respond how they please. Though you may not mean to offend or for them to take it personal, anything anyone says is open for interpretation. I believe a majority of people are not "hurt" by the things others say pertaining to their beliefs, views, etc, but more so frustrated by the ignorance. && Rightfully so, as it is so easy to access information regarding these topics today. There are books, case studies, articles, the internet. It is to disagree with something, but until someone has done their research, it is just ignorance. && Ignorance is not always bliss.

I don't believe that more people are "wusses" today than they were in the past, I just believe that nowadays it is easier to spread ones beliefs && opinions due to the internet. People can now easily connect with those around the world who share the same religion, gender, issues, etc, than they could before. So now we have more individuals collected in secondary groups (Groups that share the same beliefs, culture, etc && have a common goal), whom often collect on social media sites && such as it is free && easy to access. Of course, these secondary groups clash, which is what we see today. These groups weren't as easy to form before the internet became prominent. They were around, the group members most likely came from same community rather than members being spread out all over the world.

 

@[member="Nator"]

I'm all for an intellectual debate, I honestly am. I've debated with people with differing opinions all the time, and usually theirs doesn't come out changed. That's fine. As long as I've informed them of why I believe the things I do and they understand both sides, I feel like my work is done, even if nothing changes.

I can be offended if someone calls me a queer or a f*ggot, but that doesn't mean I have a hard time rationalizing anything. I can tell them that those insults are incredibly rude and childish, and reply that their use of the word is a show of their ignorance and hate. I can also ask them why they think this way and why they'd think this was okay, and hear their explanation. I won't agree with it, but at least I heard their side.

I'm in 100% agreement with @[member="Vanillite"]. I'm all for freedom of speech, but honestly, that argument just makes you sound like you're desperately trying to justify your rude comments. If you call a Muslim a terrorist and then claim free speech, you're just being an ignorant asshole. And I'm not calling you an asshole, but with that argument, that's how people seem.

The way you're phrasing this whole thing honestly makes you look like you think you're better than people who agree with mainstream opinions, and to be honest, that seems slightly immature. I don't mean to be rude, though I may be acting rude anyhow, but I'm pretty sure most people who think they way they do, think for themselves.

Half the "mainstream media" goes against my entire belief system, and here I am, thinking those thoughts anyway. It's not because someone told me to think that way, it's because I've gathered my facts and looked it all over, and seen that one way of thinking feels more right than the other.

For example, veganism. I'm not a vegan, but seeing as people can live healthy lives as vegans and not put themselves in danger, I'm all for it. Be a vegan, more power to you.

In my view of things, if you attack someone's lifestyle, they have every right to be mad, because that's how they live their lives, every single day. They have a right to be mad if you insult their religion, because that's something they hold close. They have a right to be mad if you attack their race, because racism should've been dead centuries ago. They have a right to be mad if you make fun of their gender identity, because they worked really hard to make themselves happy with their appearance and mindset. They have a right to be mad if you make fun of their sexual orientation, because it's none of your business anyway.

Just don't ridicule people's lifestyles, and this isn't even a discussion. It's that simple, to me.

 

I'm 100% understanding of people offended, and I love to see that people are posting their varying opinions everywhere.

Then there's the but...

I'll tell you how I see it. I'm a very opinionated person and I never back down if I get dragged in an argument (just at my Looker argument). I'm always very polite about other peoples' opinions (unless it's Looker) because everybody's opinion needs to be recognized. Voicing your opinion is really really good, but arguing with somebody else who posts their opinion will almost never work. People can be really hard to persuade sometimes, especially if they are stubborn like me. Being offended is normal and it is a very human trait, but voicing your opinion directly AGAINST the person is really just asking for trouble.

Everybody has the freedom to post what they want (unless it's about Looker).

 

In most cases, I can see why a person gets offended. However, there are those people who get offended even when it has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with them. Like, let's say I make a comment about Muslims, for example... If a person gets offended, even though they aren't a Muslim, I don't think they have a right to be offended (yes, I've seen it happen).

And about freedom of speech. Yes, it is there and I'm happy to have it, but that doesn't have ANYTHING to do with whether a person gets offended or not.

 

@[member="Raptor98"] said;
"In most cases, I can see why a person gets offended. However, there are those people who get offended even when it has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with them. Like, let's say I make a comment about Muslims, for example... If a person gets offended, even though they aren't a Muslim, I don't think they have a right to be offended (yes, I've seen it happen)."
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So you're saying that if you were to discriminate against someone of a different race or religion than I am, I'm not allowed to be offended because I do not share that religion or race with them? I'm sorry, I thought that discrimination was repugnant regardless if it's directed towards me or not. I thought we were trying to seek equality nowadays, but I suppose not everyone agrees with this.

I have every right to be upset with someone making a prejudice remark against another, whether it's directed towards me or not. Are you forgetting that we live in a diverse world, where the internet is widely available, && people can connect all about the world, make friends with people of other religions && races. I may not be of the race or religion you discriminate against, but I may be friends with someone that you are discrminating again. Not being bothered by it && not stepping in (regardless if I know a person of that race/religion) would basically be enabling racism.

&& to clear things up, the definition of discrimination is "T[SIZE=small]he unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things."[/SIZE]
[SIZE=small]Some examples are:[/SIZE]

• inappropriate jokes
• insults
• name-calling
• displays such as a poster or cartoons directed at a person because of their race, colour, sex or gender, sexual orientation, etc. (This includes certain memes)

 

If you are not the subject of what a person is talking about, why should you get offended? I understand you would defend your friends and family, but I still don't understand why you yourself would get offended.

 

@[member="Raptor98"] Equality. Many people today are seeking equality, meaning one believes everyone to be equal. If someone is being discriminative against another, the discriminator is not viewing the other as being equal to themselves. I believe that everyone is equal, so I would get offended by another treating someone as less than equal.

 

Because by insulting and discriminating against a friend, you insult me, as their friend, even if it wasn't personal. Not to mention, it's literally just as plain as "Don't discriminate and allow for equality." That's literally all some of us are asking. Just don't make jokes or attack people for their choices or how they were born. It's literally that simple. It doesn't matter what you believe, just let other people be themselves and don't be rude about it.

 

Well it can depend on how the party says it. then if the offended one talks back in a polite firm nature then it's cool. The ones that swear and caps lock at the person that is offending them are no less than the one who is offending them. It all has to do will the 'tone' for say and the response. Because even though we do have the freedom of speech we must use it in a way that does not harm.