Can statements made by some about homosexuality be punished by law?

Question

Often I wonder about religion and law. Just like the KKK has the right to say that white people are a superior race - we have Muslims and others that say homosexuals are inferior- or even worse: they don't exist.

All of this is tolerated in the name of freedom of speech. It is only when there is an Action can the law step in.

Yet speech - especially from religious leaders may enduce hatred from the followers. Eventually this leads to action.

For example, people who leave Islam are often threatend and physicaly harmed. When things like this happens we blame the person that actually does it but not leaders that have encouraged it.-> They are protected under the laws of freedom of speech.




my question:

Can statements made by some about homosexuality be punished by law?

Answer 1

In Australia, yes. Vilification - which includes inciting to violence - against people on the grounds of race, religion, sex, sexuality, age and ability is illegal.

Answer 2

Police protect the peace, not people. So as long as each religion keeps its distance from killing the other they never really intermingle, and even if a KKK member did come and hit in your window or you, your still not guaranteed that a police officer will save you. He might just let them go and say no biggy, because its not that big of a deal. Honestly, I was in texas, (best state ever). A guy tryed to break into my car, and the officer that came told me next time if I'm in Texas and someone trys to break into my car and I find them. I should go get a hammer, or bat, or anything else thats hard and managable, go outside and beat him to a bloody pulp. Which in fact is the best defenec in the world today - defending yourself.

Keep in mind, Protecting the peace is the job of the police, not protecting you. Buy a gun, get a permit.

Answer 3

Be patient. The liberals are trying very hard to eliminate that pesky, outdated, bill of rights. We don't need freedom of speech or guns. The whole freedom thing is just a hindrance keeping us from utopia. Some day comrade, some day.

Answer 4

People always cite the "Yelling 'Fire!' in a crowded movie theater" analogy - the idea being that your freedom of speech doesn't include the freedom to deliberately incite a violent reaction; although I have no idea how that's worked out practically case-by-case. I'd think that you probably can't say "Go out and kill homos" or whatever in so many words.

Answer 5

You can't punish someone for the "possiblity" of action, not unless this particular person states that they intend to do harm to another.

As much as I disagree with the likes of the KKK, they do have a constitutional right to their opinion ... as sick and twisted as I might personally find it to be.

Answer 6

That's a thorny legal issue, you can condemn homosexuality, or anything else for that matter, but if you're found to be inciting violence, then you're comitting a crime, most likely a felony in every state.

Answer 7

No, but I also find it sad that the belief in universal liberty in equality empowers those who are paradoxally against these said freedoms.

Answer 8

yes and all depending what was said about the homosexual
like threatening somebodys life you could be punished
under the law

Answer 9

actually it is quite the opposite; defamatory, vulgar, libelous, and slandering speech are not protected by the constitution.

Answer 10

I hope not, I sure don't want big brother listening to my every word, hoping to catch me saying something punishable by law.