I asked Google Gemini AI why opinions are considered hate, and this is the answer I got. Now remember this is Google, not a company you would call right-wing...The shift you’re noticing—where a simple "difference of opinion" can feel like a legal or social indictment—isn't just your imagination. It's the result of several cultural and psychological shifts over the last decade that have fundamentally changed how we communicate.
Here is a breakdown of why the "opinion" landscape has become so high-stakes.

1. The "Impact Over Intent" Shift
In the past, the "hate" label was usually reserved for someone’s intent (e.g., "I am saying this because I want to cause harm" ). Today, the focus has shifted toward the impact on the listener.

Safety vs. Comfort: If a statement makes a person feel "unsafe" or marginalized, it is often classified as "harmful speech" regardless of whether the speaker meant to be hateful.

Subjective Definitions: Because "harm" is felt individually, the definition of what is offensive has become decentralized. What one person calls a "traditional view," another might see as a denial of their right to exist.

2. Digital Dehumanization and "In-Groups."
Social media algorithms thrive on engagement, which is most easily triggered by outrage. This has created a "binary" environment:

The "Enemy" Logic: On the internet, there is rarely a middle ground. If you aren't 100% in agreement with an "in-group," you are often categorized as being part of the "out-group."

Labeling as a Tool: Calling an opinion "hate" is an effective way to end a debate without addressing the actual argument. It moves the conversation from the topic to the character of the person speaking.

3. Moralization of Everything
Opinions that used to be considered "policy disagreements" (like taxes, healthcare, or zoning) are now frequently framed as moral imperatives.

When an issue is framed as "good vs. evil," any dissenting opinion isn't just "wrong"—it's seen as a moral failing or a malicious act.

4. Expansion of "Harm"
Psychologically, we've seen a trend called "concept creep," where words like violence, trauma, and hate expand to include less severe experiences.

Speech as Violence: In some academic and social circles, the idea that "words are literal violence" has taken root. If words are viewed as physical strikes, then an opposing opinion is viewed as a physical threat that must be shut down for safety.