RELIGION, FREE EXPRESSION AND “HATE SPEECH”

July 30, 2020

In Oregon, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese is backing an effort to have a Protestant billboard removed because it states that the pope is the “Anti-Christ.” A spokesperson for the church declared, “I do not believe hate messages should fall under the aegis of freedom of speech. Hate messages are simply unacceptable no matter at whom they are directed...”

Many groups and individuals feel the same way. In New York, there have been protests against an antigay billboard which displays Bible verses condemning homosexuality. In Chicago, a priest has been behind efforts to physically mutilate and deface advertisements for beer, liquor and cigarettes.

Are their limits to the First Amendment? Who decides? Should any “insult” or criticism of religious ideas and institutions be prohibited as “hateful” conduct? What about the claim that “hateful” speech leads to violent, hateful deeds?

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