FREE SPEECH (AS LONG AS YOU ARE POLITICALLY CORRECT)!
The issue of Free Speech has been very much at the forefront of debate over the last couple of weeks. First of all there was the controversy over Nick Griffin of the BNP and his appearance on Question Time on BBC TV. Then the Daily Mail columnist had to issue an apology of sorts over her comments about the death of Stephen Gately the pop-musician. Peter Tatchell, the gay activist, then wrote an article in the Guardian about Malcolm X's sexuality which created a minor furore. And in the middle of all of this a 67 year old Christian lady, Mrs Pauline Howe, has found herself being accused of a hate crime because she wrote a letter of complaint about a Gay Pride parade. It seems that in our society no-one is clear about what constitutes free speech anymore.
The idea of free speech first was encapsulated in law at the time of the Glorious Revolution in 1689. Undoubtedly it has deep Christian roots. To some extent it was the rise of Non-conformity that, along with developing philosophical and political ideas, led to the desire to ensure the rights of private citizens to be able to express views that did not conform to the opinions of the establishment. It is that principle that lies at the heart of Democracy. The Independents and Baptists of the 17th century had to fight hard to defend their right to preach what they believed to be true and to worship in the manner that they believed the Bible instructed them. Their struggle is still ours.
We now face the possibility that legislation in the form of the homophobic law will exclude the existing free speech clause which Lord Waddington successfully put in place last time this issue came to Parliament. The implication of that will almost certainly be that to argue from the Bible that homosexual practice is wrong will become a crime.
That is what we have seen suggested in the case of Mrs Howe. She participated in a peaceful protest against a Gay Pride parade in Norwich. During that she endured some abusive and unpleasant comments from those participating in the parade. She subsequently wrote a letter of complaint about the parade to Norwich City Council. In that letter she stated her understanding of the Bible's teaching. All that she did was perfectly legal. Nonetheless she received a visit from two policemen who advised her that she may have been guilty of a hate crime. However no further action has been taken against her - almost certainly because she had not committed any crime!
The irony of the situation is that those who usually champion human rights and freedom of speech have been seen to be furious when there is an expression of views that they find deeply offensive. So Channel 4 News quite outrageously linked Mrs Howe's legal protest with the murder of a homosexual man, Ian Baynham, in Trafalgar Square in September. On the other hand leading campaigners for gay rights have protested loudly against the behaviour of Norwich City Council and the Police in regard to Mrs Howe.
What does all this have to say to us? Clearly the issue of the morality and rectitude of homosexual practices is a very divisive issue. With some it has become above comment and criticism. We must be very clear that the Bible condemns it and because of that faithful Christians must speak out. Not in a way to incite hatred - we are to show love and respect to those who practice that lifestyle. But speaking out with both compassion and tenderness, and also firmness and directness, just as our Lord Jesus Christ would.
The second thing we must notice is the growing erosion of freedom of speech. There is paranoia in the seats of power whether it be at local or national government levels. The gay lobby and the influence of the more hard-line Muslim voice have so influenced their thinking that they are afraid to allow an alternative voice, even when it is compassionate and reasoned. Do we not see in this the underlying weakness of the so-called pluralist and liberal agendas? They cannot tolerate anyone who argues a contrary position. They preach tolerance but are incapable of allowing it when it challenges their presuppositions. Philosophically what we see is the inevitable decaying influence of Post-modernism and Deconstructionism.
But behind that Christians will see the evidence and outworking of God's righteousness. In Romans 1:18-32 the Apostle Paul sets out in detail what happens to any society that rejects God and His laws. When men and governments put the lid on truth they set free confusion and suppression. As the Apostle puts it, Since they did not think it worth while to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind. Tragically that is what we are seeing more and more in evidence in our country at this time.
It is therefore a time for prayer by all Christians, for courage to stand, and when appropriate to speak, for what is right, and for energy in opposing in a loving but firm way the errors and dangers that are becoming more and more manifest in our land. Thank God there is an answer in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the examples of our forefathers should strengthen our resolve.