| − | An '''offense''' is a [[Violence|violation]] of [[dignity]] and [[Individual|personal]] or [[Community Psychology|collective]] [[rights]]; [[insult]] by word or deed, or both; an [[injustice]]. It may be real, or it may be imagined. The taking or giving of "offense" may be a [[Cause|pretext]] for generating [[Aggression|conflict]], and is often a hot topic in [[Partisan politics in the United States|partisan politics]]. Frequently someone claims that another writer or speaker has said something "offensive", which was "[[wrong]]". | + | An '''offense''' is a [[Violence|violation]] of [[dignity]] and [[Individual|personal]] or [[Community Psychology|collective]] [[rights]]; [[insult]] by word or deed, or both; an [[injustice]], perceived as a form of [[evil]]. It is always [[Ugliness|ugly]]. It may be real, or it may be imagined. The taking or giving of "offense" may be a [[Provocateur|pretext]] for generating [[Aggression|conflict]]. Offense is often a hot topic in [[Partisan politics in the United States|partisan politics]]—frequently someone claims that another writer or speaker has said something "offensive", which was "[[wrong]]". |
| | + | Common offenses include [[sacrilege]], [[blasphemy]], [[oppression]], [[tyranny]], [[slavery]], [[contempt]], [[ridicule]], [[alienation]], [[intimidation]], [[treachery]], [[treason]], [[mutiny]], [[prejudice]], [[racism]], [[hate-monger]]ing, [[vandalism]], [[fornication]], [[adultery]], [[child molestation]], [[bullying]], [[oppression]], [[Sadism|cruelty]], [[kidnapping]], [[Prison|imprisonment (especially false)]], taking [[hostage]]s, [[Torture|mutilation]], [[Homicide|killing]], [[manslaughter]], [[gossip]], [[slander]], [[libel]], [[character assassination]], [[hypocrisy]], [[false witness]], [[envy]], [[jealousy]], [[conspiracy]], [[fraud]], [[crime]]s, [[tort]]s, [[negligence]] (violations of the [[Standard of care]]), and [[misdemeanor]]s. |