Free Speech vs Hate Speech…and Who Decides?

Free Speech vs Hate Speech…and Who Decides?

By Marilyn Mackenzie

 

 

 

The other day, I read an article called A Year of Anti-Religious Bigotry by L. Brent Bozell III. The article began with these words:

 

It's quite striking to see the degree to which traditional Islam has come under ferocious attack from the anti-religious impulse in Hollywood and New York and other bohemian centers in America. It is clearly anti-Islamic religious bigotry. Take a look at just some examples over the past year alone.

 

 

Then the writer listed about ten incidents about supposed attacks and anti-Muslim messages from Hollywood and others all over the U.S.  They included an instance where a sitcom star poked fun at Muslims by “fraudulently going through the motions at her mosque” and a character in a drama who was an iman who “lost his lost his faith and was suspected of having AIDS.”

 

 

Some of the shows that disrespected Muslims were listed as: 30 Rock, House, The Simpsons, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and The Jay Leno Show.

 

 

In a blog “On Faith”, an atheist suggested that Muslim leaders should burn in hell.

 

 

In a gay magazine, an ad Mohammad in a very disrespectful picture.

 

 

In two movies, more disrespect.

 

 

As I read the article, I realized that there was no way these things were true because:

 

 

1) Most Americans, no matter what their faith or lack thereof, would have been outraged at these horrible instances of disrespect of a faith and its people.

 

2) If there had actually been that much discourtesy shown about the Muslim faith, we probably would have had an attack or two by fanatic Muslims.

 

 

Of course, the stories were not true.  There were no attacks on anything Muslim.  However, if you click on the link above, and read about the attacks, then realize that the offenses were against Christians, Catholic priests and monks, the Pope, and Jesus, don’t you begin to wonder why it is okay for people to show such rudeness to Christians without any worry of retaliation or condemnation?

 

 

The article says:  “All of these incidents were cited in the Catholic League's  ‘2009 Report on Anti-Catholicism,’ but they only scratch the surface. There are 68 grisly pages of examples.”

 

If the anti-religion shows and articles were pointed at Muslims, I believe that most Americans would defend the Muslims, even if they were of a different faith or of no faith.

 

 

What I don’t understand is how most Americans can stand by and let these shows and articles disrespect Christians and Catholics so much?

 

 

Whether they have a different faith or no faith, why aren’t people speaking out in defense of the Christian faith?

 

 

Why is it called “free speech” when Christians are bashed?

 

 

And why is not okay to joke or have disrespect about race or gender or sexual behaviors?  Why is one free speech and the other hate speech?