Careful Speech is Important
The way you speak today is important. We live in a country that allows free speech. That does not always mean that you should go around saying anything you want. I heard on a webinar lately the speaker say the following. It is your right to say what you want but it is your obligation to hold back what would be hurtful to the other person. I do not know if you agree with this statement. Careful speech can come handy as a good rule of thumb.
I get a newsletter from Dani Johnson every day. Today, she spoke about the type of people we will be rubbing shoulders with. Especially this American thanksgiving. You might say what does this have to do with countries outside of United States. Well, maybe you might be travelling there this holiday season for some reason. Anyway, Dani states that you need to know the type of people you might be rubbing shoulders with at anytime. Careful speech is important so you can respond in a positive way to them.
We just had a similar situation happen at our home recently. Our daughter and her family come to visit from out of Province. We invited other family members and friends to be here as well. The day came and went without incident. Everyone I asked said they had a great time. Careful speech with thoughtfulness made the different.
Reason for The Post
Now you might be saying where is he going with this. Well, I just came across an article in the Western Catholic Reporter. It was a case about hate speech that the Alberta Court of Appeal overturned. This ruling was against Stephen Boissoin. He wrote a letter to the Red Deer Advocate who stated it was hate speech against homosexuals.
Hate speech is not constituted by the unacceptable of some one’s writing, teaching and preaching.
Our Right to Freely Think and Speak
People have the right to think their own thoughts in a free country like Canada. The right to think as we would like is not a moral, religious wrong. The expression of thoughts and words might be to the person’s best interest to be careful. The expression of those thoughts and words whether spoken or written need careful consideration.
I find it reassuring that the court upheld the human rights of Stephen Boissoin. The court also criticized Canada’s hate crimes law in the area of the human rights law. The court stated that there needed to be better clarity in that part of the law. This is also important so that this type of situation does not repeat itself in the future.
Gerald Chipuer who represented The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) stated the following . “Christians and other people of faith should not be fined or jailed for expressing their political or religious beliefs”.
Political and religious beliefs always seems to be an area of much contention. How can understanding come without these belief and thoughts expressed? How can progress move forward? I am sure that politics will never go away. I am also sure that religion with never go away either. With this in mind then the freedom of speech has to stay. These issues that do arise can be overcome. There could be compromise for some thoughts and views might so freedom can continue. Acceptance of other thoughts and views will have to be just a point of view from any group. This to needs allowance for the freedom of speech to continue. Freedom must be for all peoples, groups and nationalities here in Canada.
Go ahead and read the article. The title of the article is “Court of Appeal overturns hate speech complaint”. Comment on the article and leave your views.