Posted on 12/11/2018 4:07:22 PM PST by marshmallow
Lord Pearson initiated a discussion in the House of Lords this week with an oral question about religious hate speech. In the course of the debate, the government minister was questioned about whether someone proclaiming the uniqueness of Jesus or the divinity of Allah could be arrested for hate speech. The minister refused to deny that someone could be arrested for such proclamations. Tim Dieppe discusses the debate and the unwillingness of the government to state that no one should be arrested for preaching the gospel.
The basis for hate speech
Lord Pearson asked an oral question in the House of Lords this week:
“To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether section 29J of the Public Order Act 1986 remains in force, and if so, what is the basis in statute for the offence of religious hate speech.”
Section 29J of the Public Order Act is the so-called Waddington amendment which was designed to protect free speech. Here is what the amendment says:
29J Protection of freedom of expression
Nothing in this Part shall be read or given effect in a way which prohibits or restricts discussion, criticism or expressions of antipathy, dislike, ridicule, insult or abuse of particular religions or the beliefs or practices of their adherents, or of any other belief system or the beliefs or practices of its adherents, or proselytising or urging adherents of a different religion or belief system to cease practising their religion or belief system
This is a very helpful clause in law which gives extensive and robust protection of free speech. Without this clause, criticism of other religions could be criminalised. Christian Concern was heavily involved in the battle to get this clause inserted into the Bill when it was debated in 2009.
No criminal offence of hate speech
Baroness Williams, the Minister of State for......
(Excerpt) Read more at christianconcern.com ...
Try it. Even in a private conversation outdoors in a crowded area and someone overhears you. Here come the Bobbies.
Mooslim’s shouting “Allahu Akbar” while killing infidels isn’t hate speech either.
islam is a totalitarian death cult founded by a child rapist.
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