The Folly of the Religious Speech and Hatred Bill

Is Free Speech the Real Problem?

The Racial and Religious Hatred Bill now before Parliament in the U.K. is attempt to stop the spiral into cultural chaos that now confronts the citizens of Britain and those in many other parts of the world. Rampant and unfettered immigration has brought together a mix of cultures and religions, in some cases with explosive consequences. Although well meaning, it's a recipe for failure. Instead of a better society, the consequences will mean the abolishing of ancient and natural rights and the descent into tyranny.

From ancient times, wise men have warned against measures that would lead to tyranny. Harsh, tyrannical measures to limit the speech and action of citizens signal that something is drastically wrong. In this case the unrest of the majority has been brought about by the lack of insight and failure of judgment of educated and privileged men that should have considered more carefully the consequences of policy. Must we all now pay with loss of liberty to repair that lack of judgment?

Well-meaning politicians in Parliament are in error if they believe that legislating the content of public speech will quell the unrest. For what is not said in public will definitely be whispered in private. How, then, will this speech be monitored? As did the Nazis, Stalin, and Castro, will citizens be required to inform upon private conversations and correspondence? Will children be encouraged to inform on their parents and teachers? This bill will snowball into something ugly and grotesque, and it will be the end of Britain as a nation of free men and women.

Parliament intends this bill for the "protection" of all. Why do some require such protection? Europe and the U.K. have experienced an enormous influx of new immigrants with cultures that clash with the majority found in the host countries. Instead of assimilating, these immigrants continue to maintain their cultures as if they were residing in the countries they left. The indigenous citizens naturally resent that newcomers are setting up mini-countries within the hosts' territories and demanding fiscal maintenance, access to healthcare, education, and religious accommodation, bringing in repugnant and often illegal activities. Instead of enforcing existing laws to stop such behaviors, Parliament has decided to force all to stop speaking publicly about the problem. This isn't rocket science: the result will be disastrous.

What is the government to do? First they should table or eliminate this bill from consideration as it will cause further resentment and harm. Enforcement of existing immigration laws are necessary and public policy should not be changed to accommodate immigrants who find "Britishness" to be offensive. That idea is offensive...to the British people. Third, they must be cognizant of the cultural and religious morés of entrants. Should immigrants that see British culture as inferior and have hostile intentions be allowed into the country, even as visitors?

Parliament hasn't considered well enough. The "Racial and Religious Hatred Bill" will have far-reaching consequences. As does everything else, this fall under the realm of the Law of Unintended Consequences. In the end, it will snowball into something vulgar, ugly and violent.

Parliament is well-meaning. However their effort will only result in further tyranny.

American Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis wrote in his opinion, "Olmstead v. United States" (1928): "Experience should teach us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the government's purposes are beneficial. Men born to freedom are naturally alert to repel invasion of their liberty by evil-minded rulers. The greater dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding." The irony is that this opinion was in response to the American government's
use of wiretapping to monitor speech.

Liberties and freedom slip away in small increments and tyranny often enters the same way. Parliament should consider long and hard before enacting this legislation.

©Eleanor