There are a couple of threads on the Emacs Devel mailing list that, zombie like, refuse to die. They’re essentially the same. One, entitled "ethically" running proprietary code? is an endless discussion of what Emacs should do if a package can indirectly lead to running non-free code. The other, [NonGNU] new: hermes is the same discussion but is particularized to whether Hermes, which is free software but might indirectly lead to a non-free LLM implementation should be added to the NonGNU repository.
The sane people on the list argue that Emacs can’t possibly control what users do with a particular piece of Emacs software and point to EWW as an example. It’s a core part of Emacs and as free as can be yet users can use it to download non-free software and do other things that the FSF wouldn’t approve of.
The true believers, on the other hand, say, “But but but. Someone, somewhere might use non-free software.” Of course they will. Unless you’re RMS who has taken extraordinary steps to restrict his computer use to a tiny part of what’s available, we all use non-free software of some sort. Even if you’re using Linux and are careful about the software you install, what about the BIOS on your computer?
Most of us support FSF and its ideals. We believe in free software and see it as a net positive for our industry. That’s different from taking an absolutist position—as if we were members of some crazy cult—and insisting that nothing we do should ever lead, even indirectly, to the use of non-free software.
Over at the Emacs subreddit, DevelopmentCool2449 takes note of the conversation and briefly discusses how it has opened a schism between RMS and Emacs developers. The action, as usual, is in the comments. Most commenters seem to side with the developers but some are taking no prisoners and hope that Eli Zaretskii quits. This despite the years of unpaid, exemplary service that Zaretskii has given to the Emacs community.
It’s obvious which side of the debate I’m on but good faith arguments can be made on both sides. Still, I wish everyone could agree to disagree and move on.