A Very Short Sighted View Expressed by Australian Religious Leaders
Protection of Freedom of Speech to Prevent Workplace Agreements Denying Right to Express Religious Beliefs
Joe Kelly’s front page article in the Weekend Australians cites religious leaders urging Shorten and Morrison to introduce positive protection for freedom of speech. This call is part of their objection to the Folau issue being characterised as a matter of workplace law.
This, they hope, will ensure that religious beliefs will be able to be expressed, and not be silenced by workplace agreements.
Why Freedom of Speech Must be Restricted
However, I would argue that, unless restrained in order to protect other members of our society, unbridled freedom of speech has the potential of being disruptive hurtful and divisive.
Right to Freedom of Speech Applies to Everyone
While their call is confined to the expression of their religious beliefs, there is no possible reason why ONLY mainstream religious views should be allowed to be expressed without any restrictions.
Religious Believers Could Suffer
In the absence of any restrictions, I, for example, could spend my Sunday mornings exercising my anti religion or anti specific religious views at the entrances of Churches.
I’ve little doubt that my expressions of hate, condemnation and ridicule, in accord with my beliefs, of those attending church services, would not be welcome by the religious leaders quoted by Kelly.
Free Expression of the Beliefs of Religious Nutters/Extremists
In addition ALL religious views would have an unlimited right to express their views, no matter how hate filled, anti-social or hurtful.
Anti Religious Views/Beliefs Would Also be Unrestricted
Furthermore, the freedom of expression of ALL non religious or anti religious views, no matter how hurtful, abusive or divisive would also need to be protected.
I, for one, would not want to live in such a society.
Mutual Respect Required not Maximum Disrespect
In order to have your beliefs respected, you should be expected to respect the views of others. Our law cannot and will not consider the expression of religion based views as special and worthy of rights and protection not available to others.
Those days are gone, and religious leaders need to grasp this.
Consequently this call for an unrestrained freedom to express religious beliefs is short sighted and likely to have the effect of fuelling divisive sectarian hatred.