What if the tables were turned?

Question

Last year the Swedish pastor Åke Green was convicted under Swedish hate speech laws for calling gays "a cancerous tumour on the body of society". However, the conviction was quashed due to freedom of religion.

What if the tables were turned? What if a gay guy called Christians a "cancerous tumour on the body of society"? I don't think the conviction would be quashed on any grounds. What do you think?

Mark C - as an American, do not presume to know more about European law than I. Green was protected by freedom of religion under Article 9 European Convention on Human Rights, not by freedom of speech.

Just to make it clear to the Americans, Sweden is not in the US.

Answer 1

" freedom of speech does not give someone the right to shout 'fire' in a crowded theatre"

i believe people have the right to freedom of speech. i don't think it gives people the right to use this as a sounding board for inflammatory comments and insulting remarks etc, especially when they hide behind the guise of christianity.

i think a pastor, of all people, should show tolerance of others. after all, isn't that what christianity's all about? loving thy neighbour etc. i may be wrong, but i'm sure in the ten commandments it doesn't have a ps on that one:
"love thy neighbour. unless he's gay. then you can say he's a cancerous tumour on the body of society."

i'm aware that the bible refers to homosexuality as an abomination. but that was written a very, very long time ago!
and society itself has changed. for the better. the bible also stipulates many things that aren't adhered to because they're not really applicable in today's society. eating shellfish, wearing cloths of two different threads, sowing different seeds side by side, touching the skin of a dead pig (footballs etc) the list goes on.

freedom of religion?! don't you mean 'freedom to interpret religion in any way that suits you best'?!

or am i wrong?

Answer 2

This kind of question has already been addressed in the U.S. by the Supreme Court. "Hate speech" cannot be prosecuted merely because of what a person says. The Supreme Court overturned the conviction of a person who burned a cross. And yes, the law protects both sides of the debate: the Court has also overturned a civil court finding against the Boy Scouts of America because, the Supreme Court says, the Boy Scouts, as an organization, have their own right to exclude someone who doesn't fit their criteria for a Scout Leader.

Answer 3

Well. It just goes to show what utter nonsense the European Convention on Human Rights really is.

Answer 4

Freedom of speech still applies in the US.

I don't know about Sweden - as an EU member state, they have freedom of speech as well.

Answer 5

Good answer robespeirre. What about if we had a 'Music of White Origins' award. They would be a bloody outrage. Or perhaps if Christians were to march through London saying Death to all Islamists. What would happen?

Answer 6

Actually..he would be protected under freedom of speech. Your perceptions of how the law works and who it protects and for what reasons is lacking.

Answer 7

There will be no charges brought because Christians are robust enough to take insults like that. You only have to look at Daniel in the Lions Den. It is my belief that if you base your house on weak foundations you need protection even from the gentlest of breeze. Ain't it?

Answer 8

I cannot comment on what would happen in Sweden. Here in the U.S., even hateful speech such as that contained in your hypothetical would be protected by the First Amendment.

Answer 9

such as you reported, it have been 2 years. and because you assert he tutored you in Spanish, i'm assuming which you the two are in severe college. human beings exchange plenty in those years. pondering you probable did not save up a correspondence with him after the wreck-up, something might have befell to him that replaced his outlook on life. You not at all understand.

Answer 10

I think it being quashed would depend on how much power the church has in that country.