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February 28, 2013
Major Hate Speech Ruling in Canada Affirms Biblical Principle
Canadian evangelicals find reason to cheer Supreme Court's unanimous ruling against Christian who distributed anti-gay pamphlets.
The Supreme Court of Canada unanimously ruled yesterday that a Saskatchewan Christian who distributed anti-gay pamphlets "violated the province's human rights rules." However, the ruling encouraged Canadian evangelicals because it also narrowed the definition of hate speech, striking down some sweeping, unconstitutional language.
“The court struck out terms used in the hate speech provision ... that concerned something more akin to hurt feelings," said Don Hutchinson, vice president and general legal counsel with The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, which intervened in the case. He continued:
"The decision touched on different aspects of freedom of religion and concluded that the Bible could not be considered as hate speech. The court is clear that Bible passages, biblical beliefs and the principles derived from those beliefs can be legally and reasonably advanced in in public discourse. Essentially, the court affirmed the biblical principal of telling ‘the truth in love,’ while cautioning as to where the line is drawn that would result in telling the truth in a hateful fashion.”
The court ruled against William Whatcott, a Christian activist who argued that his anti-gay pamphlets did not violate the Saskatchewan province's human rights code. Although the court found otherwise—two of the four pamphlets in question did attempt to incite hatred, judges said—the overall ruling is a victory for those who felt the existing hate speech ban was too wide.
The court upheld the ban itself but struck down key provisions, including the ban on publications that “ridicule, belittle or otherwise affront dignity of persons.” According to the CTV News, "The Supreme Court said such offences do not meet the definition of inciting hatred, and are unconstitutional because they 'unjustifiably infringe freedom of expression.'"
The National Post reports that Whatcott plans to continue proselytizing, in spite of the ruling.
CT has previously reported on hate crimes, including hate speech, and weighed in on groups that 'abuse the megaphone' in an editorial last summer. CT also has reported on attempts to pass hate crimes legislation, as well as on trials against anti-gay preachers. In 2010, following several highly publicized suicides, CT also reported on whether or not it is enough to say that bullying gays is wrong.
Comments
Don't be so sure of yourself. The ruling by no means protects Christian principle or a Christian's right to publicly opine on sexual morality. The ruling, at best, is unclear, and at worst, it allows the government to criminalize Christian morality on sex and sexual conduct. The ruling does not place any restrictions on the governments power to censor Christians. Although they struck down the wording, the expanded the meaning of "hate". If you read the reasoning of the judges, even truthful statements can be hateful and no harm must be shown in order for courts to find them hateful. Further, the court stated that hate is described as what a "reasonable person" would consider hateful. In other words, they are saying that no reasonable person could think that homosexuality is a sin or harmful to society. Finally, the court has expanded the power of the government to ban "hate" which is an emotion, and purely subjective. Unfortunately for Christians, their views are becoming more and more smeared as being hateful.
Posted By: Jorge | February 28, 2013 2:13 PM
I think that the ruling in Canada is very disturbing. The Idea that someone who is simply Preaching about Righteousness is Hateful comes from a wickedly secular and anti-God.
We in America need to be fearful of the days that are coming!
Posted By: The Street Preacher | February 28, 2013 8:05 PM
Scared to comment!
Posted By: Kiamil Moussa | March 1, 2013 1:26 AM
It haven't looked hard into this guys belief, but if it's true (as has been reported) that he is telling people that unless they stop sinning in this way, they will go to hell, well he's just wrong.
Stopping sinning never saved anyone, repenting and turning to Christ is the issue. Straight people are equally condemned.
Posted By: Daryl Little | March 1, 2013 9:06 AM
It always makes me uncomfortable when Christians worry more about defending their own rights and prerogatives than siding with the persecuted around us. And it should make you uncomfortable, too.
Posted By: Bruce M. | March 1, 2013 4:51 PM
Maybe you're uncomfortable because God is speaking a truth to your heart that you are personally not willing to entertain.
Posted By: Jan s | March 1, 2013 7:21 PM
When will those in the church want a "blessing" for sins other than homosexual activity?
Thievery ? False oaths ? Fornication ? Dishonoring Parents ?
Adultery ? Forgetting the Sabath ? Murder, perhaps ?
My envy ?
Posted By: Maxine Schell | March 3, 2013 12:34 PM
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