This past month in Great Britain, a street preacher was arrested for preaching against homosexuals in the town square. It was stated to be hate speech, which is illegal under British law. This past year has also seen the burka made illegal in the country of France, even though this dress is important for many Muslim followers in the nation. The nation of France has also decided to discriminate highly against Scientology in the region.
What do these three cases of in common; none of them are highly approved of in society. I personally have problems with street preachers condemning people in the street. I remember when I lived in Greenville, South Carolina and every Friday night they would have some fundamentalist preachers out on the corner causing havoc and doing very little to really promote their message. I can also see people see the burka as a symbol of oppression and fundamentalist Islam. Finally, I can see the fear in having Scientologists promote a form of psychological treatment which really has little scientific support.
However, it is a very slippery slope when you start limiting religious freedom and speech. As I much as people such as Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church sicken me, I am glad that they are allowed the right to have their ideas. While I don’t think they should have the right to protest right beside funerals, they should have the right to speak their message, no matter how deranged and psychotic it is. I suppose it is the value that the United States is built on, freedom of speech and religion. Once that is allowed to be tampered with, what is legal or illegal is subject to whatever is popular at the time.
On a side note, I don’t think that people should automatically jump to the conclusion that Christians are being arrested in Great Britain because they speak about certain moral issues. It was a very isolated case by one police officer, which will most likely be turned over in a higher court. However, it does serve as a good warning. We must be vigilant to protect the freedoms of speech, religion, and thought to all people-not just to those whom we agree with. This is not been a strong point for the much of the Christian Community in the United States. They have been quick to point out discrimination against themselves, but almost silent or even participating in the discrimination against other groups whom they disagree with. In the end, we are not defending our “enemies” as much as we are defending our own future freedoms and liberties. Let’s make sure that religious and political freedom and liberty is guaranteed and protected for all.
