"He asked the question, 'How is it that someone like you--a professor at Harvard, rational, intelligent--can believe in a religion like Islam?'" Asani said.

Sandel said that he thought Nozick's proposed solution--using heavier punishments for hate crimes because they are also intended to threaten--was "elegant." He also suggested that the idea that laws should not be used to pass moral judgement might need a re-evaluation.

"Aren't they more despicable because they're hateful?" Sandel asked.

During a question-and-answer session, Orfield and Sandel both said the line between free speech and hate speech is hard to define.

One audience member asked the panel to address the Freshman Dean's Office policy on allowing students who don't want to room with homosexuals to switch rooms. Orfield responded, suggesting a difference between a sexual orientation "preference" and an "imposition" on a roommate by acting on a sexual orientation preference.

A Jewish student asked what to do with groups that discriminate but are themselves targets of discrimination. He cited the Nation of Islam as an example.

"You must condemn that speech within your group," Nozick said.

Asani also responded to the question, pointing out that the Nation of Islam does not represent all Muslims, and adding that it is necessary to foster personal connections.