#opinion

To criticize a person for their race is manifestly irrational and ridiculous, but to criticize their religion, that is a right. That is a freedom. The freedom to criticize ideas, any ideas - even if they are sincerely held beliefs - is one of the fundamental freedoms of society. A law which attempts to say you can criticize and ridicule ideas as long as they are not religious ideas is a very peculiar law indeed. ↗

— Rowan Atkinson

#beliefs #criticism #criticize #freedom #freedom-of-speech

If in the last few years you haven't discarded a major opinion or acquired a new one, check your pulse. You may be dead. ↗

— Gelett Burgess

#check #dead #discarded #few #haven

The modern habit of saying "This is my opinion, but I may be wrong" is entirely irrational. If I say that it may be wrong, I say that is not my opinion. The modern habit of saying "Every man has a different philosophy; this is my philosophy and it suits me" – the habit of saying this is mere weak-mindedness. A cosmic philosophy is not constructed to fit a man; a cosmic philosophy is constructed to fit a cosmos. A man can no more possess a private religion than he can possess a private sun and moon. ↗

— G.K. Chesterton

#opinions #philosophy #relativism #wisdom #religion

If you want me to treat your ideas with more respect, get some better ideas. ↗

— John Scalzi

#respect

The formal scientific definition of theory is quite different from the everyday meaning of the word. It refers to a comprehensive explanation of some aspect of nature that is supported by a vast body of evidence. ↗

— National Academy of Sciences

#facts #opinions #science #theories #nature

When a man gives his opinion, he's a man. When a woman gives her opinion, she's a bitch. ↗

— Bette Davis

#double-standards #empowerment #feminism #gender #hypocrisy

I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat, or a prostitute. ↗

— Rebecca West

#empowerment #feminism #opinions #women #womens-liberation

People are stupid. They will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true. ↗

— Terry Goodkind

#willful-ignorance #true

If God were our one and only desire we would not be so easily upset when our opinions do not find outside acceptance. ↗

— Thomas à Kempis

#christ #christian #opinions #christ

But collective thinking is usually short-lived. We're fickle, stupid beings with poor memories and a great gift for self-destruction. ↗

— Suzanne Collins

#humanity #public-opinion #games