Excuse me? Is it 2025 or have I woken up in the Middle Ages? It turns out that Hazte Oír, those of the buses of the color of cheap provocations, have decided to denounce Lalachu for an alleged "religious offense." Yes, as you read it. An organization that seems to live more in the crusades than in the 21st century intends to silence someone because their sensitivities have been hurt. And I wonder: at what point have we begun to confuse the right to freedom of worship with the right not to be criticized?
Let's make things clear: religion is not untouchable
Let's get to the point, I don't have time for frills. Religions, all of them, are a set of ideas, norms and beliefs. And like any idea, they are subject to criticism, debate and, why not, satire. No one here is burning churches or persecuting people for what they believe. We are talking about questioning a doctrine, a vision of the world. And what is that? Freedom of expression, darling.
The problem with Hazte Oír is not that someone criticizes their religion; it is that they want to monopolize the discourse. They pretend that their beliefs are untouchable, as if they were inscribed in celestial marble. Well no, I'm sorry. We live in a plural society, and that means that your faith has no more rights than my opinions.
Offense is the price of democracy
Does what Lalachu says bother you? Perfect, I'll buy it. You have the right to feel offended. But what you cannot do is turn your offense into an argument to censor others. Because, you know what? Offense is subjective. What for you is a sacrilege, for another may be a legitimate criticism, and even a joke. And in a democracy, we learn to live with that.
Freedom of expression does not exist to protect what we like to hear. It exists precisely so that things that are uncomfortable, that bother us, that force us to think can be said. If you don't like it, respond. Debate. Defend your ideas. But don't go to the judge to cry because someone has questioned your religion.
Hazte Oír, but don't silence
Isn't it curious? An organization that calls itself "Hazte Oír" intends to silence someone who is also making himself heard. How convenient, right? They can say whatever they want, even offend entire groups with their campaigns. But when someone questions their faith, that's no longer valid. Then it's "religious offense."
It's that there is nothing more hypocritical than that. Because, let's be honest, this is not about respect. This is about power. About wanting to impose a unique vision of the world, about turning their beliefs into the universal rule. But I'm sorry, darling, that's not going to happen.
Freedom of expression as a red line
Freedom of worship is a right, and no one here is questioning it. But that right does not include the ability to censor those who do not share your faith. Religion is a private sphere, and as long as no one prevents you from practicing it, you are protected. But when you take your beliefs to the public sphere, they become just another idea, subject to criticism like any other.
And if you are not able to withstand that criticism, maybe the problem is not Lalachu or anyone else. Maybe the problem is in your faith, which seems to need crutches to support itself.
True respect
Respect is not demanded; it is earned. And it is not earned by imposing silences, but by participating in the dialogue. If Hazte Oír really believes in its message, they should defend it with arguments, not with complaints. Because this is not a debate of faith; it is a debate of democratic principles.
So, dear Hazte Oír, do what you want with your beliefs. Practice them, preach them, live them. But don't expect everyone else to accept them without questioning them. Democracy doesn't work like that, and thank goodness.
And having said that, let everyone believe in what they want or, better yet, let them believe in what they can. But let no one come to try to silence others. Okay?