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Healthy Protection or Thought Police?
07 February 2005
The British Government seems almost certain to pass a new law which will severely limit freedom of speech within religious communities and society at large.
The proposed bill, which is set to pass through the House of Commons, is strongly opposed by church groups, as well as representatives of other religious communities.
The legislation sets out to ban what it calls 'incitement to religious hatred.' Supporters say that it will help to protect religious minorities and, in the process, reduce the kind of violence which may lead to terrorist activities.
Critics of the bill claim that the bill will work against the very groups it sets out to protect. Far from promoting harmony between religious groups, they say, the law would promote nothing but mistrust and fear.
Various lobby groups, including civil liberties organisations, have joined religious bodies in speaking out against the proposed law. Some see in it the beginnings of something like Orwell's 'thought-police' from the novel 1984.
The proposed UK law is similar to one passed in the Australia state of Victoria in 2001. The Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 is something of a test case, one of the first of its kind in the world.
This law was recently tested in court when two pastors were charged with inciting religious hatred during a seminar in a Melbourne church. The seminar speakers set out to provide Christians with some understanding of the basic tenets of Muslim faith, and how they can share their own beliefs with Muslims in the community.
The transcript of the seminar sessions shows nothing to suggest any encouragement to acts of violence or feelings of hatred toward Muslims.
In Britain, the Islamic Human Rights Commission has expressed concern over the proposed law. In a press release, it has said: 'Rather than enjoying additional protection from the law, religious minorities could find themselves the targets of prosecutions under the proposed legislation.'
The Director of Next Wave International, Mal Fletcher, says: 'Whatever the ultimate outcome in Westminster, the writing is on the wall for freedom of speech. Leaders from disparate religious organisations and civil liberties groups are openly opposing it.'
'The proposed UK bill threatens the very basis of healthy debate: the freedom to state a belief, to put a case. This freedom should not be denied in any sphere of life – including that of religion.'
Photo © Copyright John Pring
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