Free Speech and Religious Conflict

As english author Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote, "the pen is mightier than the sword." Our words and ideas carry great power, for good or ill.

For many, freedom of expression is the foundation on which all other human rights are built, but free speech unchecked can often lead to conflict especially when it addresses our core beliefs. When does the right to communicate one's opinions and ideas interfere with the rights of others? When does free speech become hate speech? What is the value of satire and social critique? When is censorship necessary? Just how far is too far?

Here Patheos writers evaluate the razor-thin line between protected speech, and speech that causes harm —attempting to define the limits of free expression.