What does SGGS say about "freedom of speech"?

So what does Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji say about freedom of speech (Sikh clergy's pain in the a**)?
I want to know what the Gurus and Bhagats had to say about it.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/29149-what-does-sggs-say-about-freedom.html

What do you have to say about it?

If you think its a sacred treasure of our species, then how should we go about promoting it?

If you think we should not allow freedom of speech at all, why not?

The question was originally intended to be independent of any of the politics taht's going on around Prof Darshan Singh, Kala afghana, Rozana spokesman, etc.
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The intellect of the mind is like a drunken elephant. Whatever one utters is totally false, the most false of the false. - Guru Nanak, 351

Dhan Dhan Guru Gobind Singhji Maharaj made us wear shashtrs so that no-one dare take away our freedom.

Bhagat Singh ji

There is no "Sikh clergy." Instead we have teachers. You and Gyani ji and Aman ji and Mai ji and Randip ji and Kanwardeep Singh ji and Mohinder ji and dalbirk ji and NamJap ji and Tejwant ji and Soul-Jyot ji, and all and sundry of the inspired and inspiring members of this forum teach one another. Forgive me if I have omitted a name. Our SPNer Interviews were in part put forth so that we could learn from others who have given thought to their understanding of Sikhism.

Even those who are not Sikhs, even those who anger us, because they are disrespectful of our Guru ji, teach us in their own way. There will be other teachers in life right up into old age, and unto death.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29149
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29149

So in answer to your question --- if we are free to learn, we are free to speak. We just have to work harder at doing it right.

Sat Nam - Truth is your identity.
Narayanjot Kaur

Gurbani declares..IF one meets a "saint"..then Kichh sunneah..kichh keheayeah Nanak - say something...listen to something...discussion..exchange of ideas...thoughts...
IF one meets a "cynic"...then its better to keep quiet - even better to avoid him alltogether) The exact word is SAKAT.

Gurbani also declares..Ros na keejeh..uttar deejeh...DONT be Annoyed/angry (by questioning?/ etc) BUT provide the ANSWERS...( probably in an objective/polite way ) to come to an mutual understanding.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29149

SACH sunaisee SACH ke BELA...even TRUTH has a Time limit/expiry Date. Truth that has passed its limit/age of expiry...becomes Useless....When Its Time to SPEAK UP..against tyranny, injustices, etc etc..one who Keeps QUIET/shuts up....becomes an accessory to the injustice/tyranny and his TRUTh is useless later. ( Lots of SIKHS were present in the crowd in Chandni Chowk when Guru teg bahadur Ji was executed..BUT NONE dared come forward and proclaim his Sikhi...thier TRUTH was not of much use..later on a SIKH was made so VISIBLE that it became almost impossible to hide SIKHI.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29149

Some of my thoughts on this matter...we are all SIKHS..and thus always learning...

Please tell us what type of freedom of speech you are referring to .Are you referring to forums or speech in public?

Narayanjot Kaur ji, us forum members aren't the Sikh clergy, of course, we (like you said) can only teach and learn from those around us.

Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. wikipedia

Who do you think this is in Sikhism?



Kanwardeep Singh ji
I'm referring to freedom of speech everywhere.

Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak without

censorship

Censorship

and/or

limitation

Limitation

. The synonymous term freedom of expression is sometimes used to indicate not only freedom of verbal speech but any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used. wikipedia
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29149


It seems as if there is a lot of censorship going on in the Sikh community. Smaller levels include different forums. At higher levels, it is the Sikh clergy.
e.g how kala afghana's book were banned - violation of freedom of speech/expression


Perhaps, this censorship goes on because Sikhism is a religion or treated like one, i don't know. At this point one would ask, what does the religion, more specifically, its texts have to say about all this.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29149

Jarnail Singh ji has given the discussion a kickstart. Next step would be to look at some of the shabads he mentions.

Thanks Gyani Ji,

People like me need this kind of tonic almost on daily basis... Thanks for shaking us up tirelessly...


Gurfateh

Just visit topix site's religions section section and you will get the answer.All religious topics on that site are just abusing religions,their prophets,Guru's Gods etc.All you see vulgar words,vulgar topics,insults.Several people have reported it to topix site but that site is not interested in any type of moderation as a result majority intelligent people have left that site.so censorship is very much essential for any site,blog O/W we all end up abusing and insulting each other.

You think censoring them all will solve the problem i.e. change their thinking and mentality? Far from it!

People there, are prejudiced and ignorant. Once we allow them to express their views, we can tackle those views! Censoring is only a temporary solution if it is ever a solution. It is going to make them go to another forum, and exhibit the same behaviour. Forget changing their mentality, do you want those guys to be consored from that forum and come to SPN, and give our admins a headache?!?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29149
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=29149

EDIT: people who start putting down otehr people, even on SPN... after their post is deleted, don't stop doing it. We need to show the person why doing he/she shouldn't be doing it. Saying that its just a forum rule doesn't help in the long run.