Against Censorship

People shouldn’t try to ban all views with which they disagree,

For among the educated, everyone should be quite free

To proclaim their own opinions, backed by evidence of course,

Of they may face loud derision for the views that they endorse.

Often there are variations in what people think is true,

And there is a constant movement as new facts come into view;

Things that yesterday were sacred, might today be out-of-date,

As new theories reach the forefront, which some people well might hate.

Or it may be that some people want to silence those who hold

Views which have a firm foundation, going back to days of old.

For they think they are old-fashioned, based on ignorance and fear,

And today are quite offensive – that to them seems crystal clear.

But that some may be offended isn’t reason to refuse

To allow those other people to express their thought-out views.

If they feel they are in error, and their statements have no base,

They should just prepare an answer and then calmly put their case.

But they should not try to censor any reasoned arguments

Even if the drawn conclusions don’t to them make any sense.