OPINION: We live in a free society.
People are allowed to debate things, people are allowed to disagree and people are allowed to like things others don't.
But you wouldn't know it based on the persecution of religion that's going on at the moment.
Case in point - Todd Muller, the new National Leader and a Catholic.
The "C-word" - the word unacceptable to the kind of people that go on Twitter and say he's homophobic, anti-women's rights and because he has a Trump hat, he's racist too.
One person even compared his Donald Trump hat to a swastika.
This is out of control and can I just say as a gay man I have no problem, no issues with somebody else not believing in homosexuality. So long as you don't spit hate, abuse me, or attack me, I couldn't give a stuff what you believe in.
We live in a free society with freedom of thought but we've lost our way.
In our pursuit of equality and ridding the world of discrimination, we have strayed into dangerous territory. Territory where views that may not align with ours are sidelined and shutdown.
If somebody doesn't believe in homosexuality, that's ok. If somebody threatens a minority, that is not ok.
There's an important difference and people should not be persecuted for their beliefs. After all, Kate Sheppard was once persecuted for her beliefs.
One day it might be your views that aren't popular - what's important is your right to hold them.
Ryan Bridge is a co-host of The AM Show.
