Thursday, January 22, 2009

The Labour government sly attack on free speech and freedom of conscience

A while ago there was a lot of debate over Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, which initially would have made it a criminal offence to be involved in the "incitement to hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation".

The problem was that both traditional Christianity and Islam oppose homosexual practice on moral grounds and based on their reading of their scriptures.

A compromise was found in adding the following free speech clause:

    In this Part, for the avoidance of doubt, the discussion or criticism of sexual conduct or practices or the urging of persons to refrain from or modify such conduct or practices shall not be taken of itself to be threatening or intended to stir up hatred.


But now, on the second reading and with short notice ( to prevent proper debate and consideration of the issues ) the lobby groups have persuaded the government to reintroduce on second reading a clause into the Coroners and Justice Bill (clause 52) which reads:

    58 Hatred against persons on grounds of sexual orientation
    In Part 3A of the Public Order Act 1986 (c. 64) (hatred against persons on
    grounds of sexual orientation etc), omit section 29JA (protection for
    discussion or criticism of sexual conduct etc
    ).


This bring back all the problems that had originally been settled. It is designed to oppress and outlaw sections of traditional Christian and Muslim belief.

The anti-Christian Gay fascist lobby is making a mistake here, since Labour won't be in power much longer and this is going to get repealed even if the sly and underhand nature of its anti-democratic application is successful.

And for Labour they will be seeing the first prosecutions of Christians ( lets be honest they dare not prosecute Muslims ) about the time of the general election. This will play badly in marginals.

PS This is one of those Ratchet issues, where those who propose the change hope to achieve more than the removal of hatred, but to create an enforced uniform state morality that will through the attrition of court cases replace traditional values and make those who have them fearful of the state.

2 comments:

Letters From A Tory said...

Good work, didn't see that.

I posted on free speech as well this morning, although on a very different story. Mind you, I can see the two incidents converging in the not-too-distant future.

Peter O said...

Touch more background here - http://www.peter-ould.net/2009/01/22/right-to-preach-from-scripture-is-in-danger-again/