NewsSpeak, by its very nature, believes wholeheartedly in
the right of freedom of speech. It is a guiding principle that has
enabled cultures and countries to fight against oppression and ensure
that all citizens can express themselves freely without fear of retribution.
This right is governed by limitations such as ‘libel’, ‘classified information’ and ‘hate speech’ and it is this last area, which our
following story
relates to.
A young man took exception to a sign displayed by a
church (on its property) that suggested that if you didn’t believe in God you
may end up in Hell. This young man was so offended he did what any other
‘reasonable’ person would do; he called the Police, whom due to national
guidelines had to act.
Now, NewsSpeak is offended on various occasions and more often
than not offends others on a daily basis, however, it would never seek to bring
the Police into the matter and instead by using intelligent thought would
counter the argument or message or just rise above it.
And on that note, NewsSpeak will leave you with this;
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right
to say it"
----------------------
The Attleborough Baptist Church sign was looked at as
a “hate incident” after Robert Gladwin objected to the slogan “if you think there
is no God, you’d better be right” - with flames underneath the message.
But police said the pastor of the
church had agreed to remove the sign.
Mr Gladwin, 20, who spotted the
sign on Leys Lane while heading home to Hargham Road, said: “I was just astounded
really. We live in the 21st century and they have put that message - that
non-Christians will burn in hell - up to try and scare people into joining
their mentality.”
Mr Gladwin decided to contact the
police after comparing the message to other forms of hate speech.
A spokesperson for the police said:
“Norfolk Constabulary received a report regarding a poster outside a church in
Attleborough which was deemed offensive by the complainant.
“National guidance required us to
investigate the circumstances and the matter has been recorded as a hate
incident. Having spoken to the pastor of the church, it has been agreed the
poster will be taken down.”
Mr Gladwin added: “It is my basic
understanding that Christianity is inclusive and loving in nature.
“The message being displayed
outside of the church could not be further from the often uttered phrase ‘love
thy neighbour’.”
Chris Copsey, of the Norfolk
Humanists, described the sign as “pernicious nonsense”.
He added: “I believe the people of
Attleborough have more common sense than to give this sign any credence.”
But the complaints have provoked
concerns about the church’s freedom of speech.
Terry Sanderson, president of the
National Secular Society, said: “Personally I don’t find it offensive. But we
did fight a long battle of freedom of speech together with Christian groups
because we believe that freedom of speech is essential to a functioning
society.
“If you don’t give it to everybody
then it isn’t free speech and as long as they aren’t inciting violence or
trying to get people to do things that are against the law then I think it is
acceptable to say whatever you want to say.”
Mr Sanderson added that if he felt
uncomfortable with the sign, he would put up one himself – and said that police
activity over the message was equivalent to “banning the Bible”.
The sign is filled with upcoming
events and at the bottom says that visitors “can always be sure of a very warm
welcome”.
The Rev Simon Ward of the Diocese
of Norwich believed the sign was intended as a vessel for debate.
“I guess they are trying to open a
conversation and cause people to think. However, I think there are more
positive conversations that you could have and more positive reasons for coming
to church,” he said.
Attleborough Baptist Church was not
available for comment.
