Monday, September 11, 2006

Free speech as a crime

Via the Volokh Conspiracy, an Evangelical activist in Wales faces criminal charges for passing out a pamphlet that, apparently without acrimony or incendiary language, makes the traditional Christian (and Jewish) case on the morality of homosexuality, citing biblical passages, etc. Steven Green, who distributed the pamphlets at Mardi Gras in Cardiff is charged with using "threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour."

According to the Daily Mail, police in the U.K. are increasingly active against those who are critical of gays:

In recent months incidents have included a Metropolitan Police warning to author Lynette Burrows that she was responsible for a 'homophobic incident' after she suggesting on a BBC Radio Five Live programme that gays did not make ideal adoptive parents.

Another warning about future behaviour was delivered by Lancashire police who visited the home of a Christian couple after they complained about their local council's gay rights policies.

The Met Police in London also investigated former Muslim Council of Britain leader Sir Iqbal Sacranie after he gave an interview saying homosexuality was harmful. However, no prosecution followed in that case.


Closer to home, John McAdams reports on the views of the President of Marquette's gay and lesbian student organization who believes that opponents of same-sex marriage should not be allowed to speak on campus, since the issue involves "human rights."

Maggie Gallagher has argued that same-sex marriage will make it increasingly difficult for people to advocate - or act upon - traditional religious notions on human sexuality.

There is, of course, no reason why this has to be true, but it may well turn out that way.

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