bullied for my opinions

lately with everything that has been going on in the news and such i have my own opinions and views and tend to express them even at school. i was not raised that i had to keep things to myself and be soft spoken. however, right now i spoke in school about my opinion on a subject that is going on in the world and a group of kids started calling me a f*** idiot and stupid. that i dont know anything about anything and had no right to say or have an opinion on it. it really hurt. i feel like i should be able to speak my mind as long as it isnt hurting others. i feel like i should be allowed to have views and opinions on things but to be called these names and told this really hurts. most of the kids at school are not this way but this is a group of kids that is very demening in everything towards me and its hurtful and im at a loss at how to handle it anymore. my mom has talked with the principal but it seems to have made the situation worse not better. any advice?

Some people are very polarized right now, and unfortunately can be condescending and vicious. A differing opinion feels like an attack to them. There's really no way to avoid that type of reaction other than by staying quiet. You could always answer something like "There's no need for name calling. Different people have different views." But be aware that some people are highly charged and angry.

I was talking about religious education with someone (I am opposed to certain practices like having 6 year olds cry over their sinfulness) and the guy I was speaking to actually called me a "baby killer." At no point had we spoken of abortion. He is so deeply indoctrinated in far-right views that he thinks anyone who is moderate or Liberal is a "baby killer." It's scary there are such extremists in the world. But believe me there are plenty. Be careful out there - it's more important to stay alive and uninjured than to express your opinion.

If you're in the US, you might want to try contacting the Trevor Project:

www.thetrevorproject.org

This particular incident doesn't seem to be LGBTQ specific, but on the other hand on some level it could also be hidden gay bashing. Even if it's not, the Trevor Project probably has some knowledge about bullying in general, and hopefully they'll have some advice.

You never know how people are going to react to your opinion of hot issues. Some people respect differing opinions, and some people get upset over them. Some critics have even received death threats for their opinions on a movie. It's probably best not to bring up hot issues in public. And I wouldn't discuss them with anyone unless I know for sure they're not going to get violent. I'm sorry those kids treated you like that. It's terrible what they said. And it's understandable to feel hurt. The best part is that when you graduate, you'll never have to deal with them again. Just know we're here for you. You'll always have a place here at SF where we'll build you up instead of tearing you down.

Sorry hun some people can just be idiots I would say blame it on them being teenagers but some adults can be just as bad. I think a lot of people on TV go around saying stuff they should not criticize how people feel about certain things and saying nasty things which makes others say nasty things. But its never right to be hurtful or nasty to someone about how they feel and their beliefs. If all you can do is name call and be nasty about something then you are loosing the money argument and really have no real argument to stand on. I know I should say walk away and avoid but I say next time you ask them why do they feel the way they do about the subject that they need to give you a real reason why you are wrong.
Differences of opinion should be talked about without getting nasty with the other person

Sad to hear how you were and are being treated. Opinions do vary, but never a reason to behave like an ass or be rude. People do need to learn the concept of live and let live.