Hello, everyone!
To start with, some people say things out of ignorance, some under pressure from things they are going through in life, or some utter words through anger, before they knew it, they had already aired it to the world to hear. I can't judge them.
However, asides anything, we need to be careful of the words we say, as they can either make or break us now or in the future. People have lost jobs and opportunities because been honest and truthful too. Do you know that? Some people are straightforward and always truthful, but then, they are denied their favor because of airing the truth, and even some are arrested too for saying the truth. For example, Verydarkman, as we all know him as VDM, a known social media influencer, was attacked a few months ago for always saying the truth, going out of his comfort zone to speak for people, and to make sure people gain their rights and voices over themselves and stand firm in what they know. But this man was attacked, he was arrested too and they interviewed him. He is in his space making his own money as long as they are not blocking him on all the social media platforms.
In fact, some are being killed because of being truthful.
Speaking truthfully to society and expressing controversial views can be a double-edged sword; if you are not careful with your words, it may either make or break you.
Should the person be made to pay for the opinions held in the past?
Well, we have human beings with different intentions either good or bad, and we are in a world where evil things take place. Take, for instance, a notorious criminal in society, well known by the people, who has been escaping arrest or being set ablaze. One day, if he is caught, they would definitely set him ablaze for causing damage in society. People would not talk good about him. If this person doesn't repent wholeheartedly and you're the environment, people would see him the way he was before.
Some people do pay for their speeches made wrongly in public, either spoken or written. Words carry weight, which can weigh you down and can spoil your reputation as a person, and make people question your character.
When they grew to be better people, should they pay for those things?
If they are very bold and brave, the only way I think they can pay for their damages is to come up and apologize for the speeches made out whether it was intentional or not.
Life is sweet but then, we need wisdom to travel through and overcome some stages.
This is my response to the Hivelearners featured contest week 214 episode 3