My opinion is not a right

In the Socratic seminar in class last Friday I learned that an opinion is commonly used as an excuse not to continue a debate. Commonly when in a discussion instead of admitting a lack of knowledge to continue the debate the person(s) will declare that they have the right to their own opinion to stop said discussion. When this occurs nothing is changed in either persons opinion. Rights are granted by the government and no one is allowed to infringe upon them under penalty of law. If there was a right to an opinion you would be arrested for attempting to change someone's mind. To demonstrate the fallacy let's assume Timmy thinks four plus four equals six. Now we all know that four plus four equals eight, however since Timmy has the right to his opinion we cannot tell him he is wrong. Now Timmy will never learn that four plus four is eight and not six. Those who try to tell Timmy differently will be arrested and prosecuted for violating Timmy's right to his opinion.