non-denom christian wrote:Wolf_ODonnell wrote:non-denom christian wrote:"Christian hate groups" sounds like an oxymoron. How 'bout saying religious hate groups.
However, I'm more disgusted at the fact that the first thing it appeared you thought about was "how it would affect Christians" and not, "how it would affect Freedom of Speech".
This country was founded on Christianity.
If you find that hard to believe, read the money in your pocket.
Let me see... "Bank of England. I promise to pay the bearer on demand the sum of Five Pounds." Erm... let me check the other side. "Bank of England. Five Pounds." Nope. No mention of God here.
You shouldn't assume I'm American just because I post on these forums.
Yet, yes, my country is predominantly Christian. It is law that all state-run schools, teach Christianity in school. Schools are allowed to teach other religions, but because of our nation's predominantly Christian tradition and history, the majority of religious education classes must be spent on teaching Christianity.
Our Constitution is not written. We do not, unlike Americans, have a written Constitution.
Despite this, we have Muslims and Hindus and Buddhists and yes, even Christians. Regardless, we have Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, and the Right to be an Individual.
And when our Government tried to pass an Anti-Hate-Speech Bill, the first cry that rang up was "This is against Freedom of Speech", not "How will this affect Christians" or "How will this affect Muslims"?
For you see, any Anti-Hate Speech Law can and may end up affecting everyone. You could say, "I hate Nazis" and make a hate speech about Nazis. Justified in a way, but the Law would ban you from saying it.
On the one hand, yes, you don't want people spouting out hate speech that would result in violence or discrimination against a community. In fact, I remember the Bill our Government tried to pass was actually called "Incitement of Racial Hatred" or something along those lines. It was to prevent extreme Muslim clerics from inciting hatred against Jews, and extreme Christians from inciting hatred against gays and Jews and Muslims and what have you.
Though good-natured in a way, the Bill does come up with a problem. You stifle Freedom of Speech. Can a free country stifle Freedom of Speech to protect a minority. Does the end justify the means?
I cannot help but feel as if I'm standing with one foot on two boats moving in opposite directions. On one hand, the proposed Law is good intentioned and may lead to good things. On the other hand, it could be abused and it is something a free democracy shouldn't resort to.
This law is far too important to ignore.
