"Fair-weather freespeechers"

Too many self-described "free speech activists" aren't so tolerant of expression they personally find offensive, notes Rob Breakenridge:

Given the number of instances where conservative Christians have been called to task and even prosecuted for their words -- Bishop Fred Henry, Rev. Stephen Boissoin, Hugh Owens, Catholic Insight magazine, the Christian Heritage Party -- it's not surprising to see the so-called "religious right" mobilize in support of freedom of expression.

It has also helped the cause -- you won't often see groups like the Canada Family Action Coalition and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association agreeing on much. The broader the consensus, the more successful this fight is bound to be.

However, the religious right needs to decide just how committed it is to freedom of expression. If you haven't the stomach for the fight, best to sit it out.

Last week, the aforementioned Canada Family Action Coalition demanded that the federal government step in and revoke the broadcast license of a new Canadian adult film channel. CFAC president Charles McVety describes the existence of Northern Peaks as being "to the public detriment" and fears the adult channel will "corrupt minds."

In other words, the approach of the CFAC on this issue of "offensive content" is really no different from the approach of the pro-censorship crowd on other matters of "offensive content."

Whereas supporters of human rights commissions believe we can engineer a society devoid of "hate," the anti-porn moralizers believe we can engineer a society devoid of "immorality."

[...]

If religious conservatives are gung-ho for the rights of Mark Steyn and Maclean's magazine to write and publish what they see fit, where was that same enthusiasm for free speech when Vancouver-based Little Sister's Bookstore and Art Emporium was fighting for the right to sell gay and lesbian-related material?

It's easy to support free speech for people who don't offend you, isn't it?

Damian P.

Posted by damian at August 26, 2008 07:35 PM