Which is the greater?

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This is a serious question. Which do you think is the greater crime- rape or shutting down someone's freedom of speech?

We sort of tackled this question in a recent FB discussion. By we, I mean the group of regulars on my page. By sort of, I mean it was addressed in a rather oblique way. I broached the idea of Sharia in the US. That led to a discussion of how Sharia is implemented in the US and then into a discussion of marital rape. MA brought up the First Amendment.

As to why MA brought the First Amendment into a discussion that examined marital rape, ask her. I thought the juxtaposition of the two, whether intended or not, is fascinating. So, lemme ask again:

Which is the greater crime against a person? Rape or stifling free speech?

Are you sure? Is that your final answer?


Rape is an intensely personal offense. It is a violation of another person's body.

Shutting down free speech is an intensely personal offense. It is a violation of another person's mind.

I ask you again, which is more heinous?

I mangle some grammar in this next statement.: According to our Fire Chief BM, the late Sheriff Lamar Whiddon once told him that people who shoot you, beat you and etc., well, you can get over what they do to you. The people who assassinate your character, you can never get over that.

The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones. William Shakespeare

Look at it this way. Rape is a singular act, even a gang rape. But take a one-on-one rape. If the two people never tell, two people are affected, presuming pregnancy does not result.


In the absence of free speech, that may be all that can ever be done. Two people left to deal with the ramifications.

With free speech, both can tell what happened. This brings more people into the matter. Whether or not the rapist is convicted or even charged with a crime, his reputation is forever marked by more than just the two people involved in the rape. Indeed, that free speech can be used to bring the rapist to judgment. It was not too long ago that rape was a capital punishment crime. But in order to prosecute a crime, the victim must have free speech. Free speech means more people become involved: judge, jury, law enforcement, legal teams, medical people, etc.

Because of free speech, more people must deal with the ramifications of a one-on-one crime.

After I posted this, MAG shot this comment to me "Only one omission from your blog which I believe bears mentioning: rape is also an attack on the mind; not just the body. The effects are long lasting and debilitating even with the presence of free speech to help mitigate the impact of the mental and physical assault."

She's right and Thank You for that!

Lemme also point out the First Amendment. Free speech is Constitutionally codified. Rape is a legislative issue. Yes, there is a very real difference. Changing a legislative law is a matter of getting a majority of the legislative body to agree. Constitutional changes require a far stronger effort.

I am in no way denigrating victims of rape or excusing the attackers. I'm just throwing out something to think about.