There is a problem if we have to be afraid

Submitted by Susan Russell (Canada), Feb 13, 2006 at 14:13

Thank you for your clear-sighted comments. Had this been any other religious group that claimed to be offended, how different the reactions. We would never be afraid of marching Methodists or Catholics. Surely , we have a serious problem when a university in Canada bans reasoned discussion as part of education out of safety concerns.

The fact that something is claimed to be expressing hatred does not mean it is. Democracy is about balancing rights and freedoms which is why the laws around hate literature are very carefully worded with regard to intent. If we are not careful in N.America and UK we will go down the path of Holland and France. Politicians are not truthful by nature- Jack Straw in UK has a large Muslim constituency so he has a bias.

This has highlighted a serious issue for our leaders to tackle. Pandering or ignoring it will only encourage these attacks on our values and freedoms. People of Islam should not be accorded special consideration at the expense of the rest of society.

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