Free Speech in Britain

At least there is a think tank in Britain that believes in free speech. Here is the Background Briefing from Civitas on Blunkett's Law -- the anti-incitement law I mentioned in passing here in discussing an editorial by Mark Steyn.

Here is an excerpt from the Civitas briefing:

A law banning religious hatred will begin to unravel the delicate balances on which freedom and democracy depend. It will involve using the law to benefit one faction at the expense of others. It will be used to persecute non-believers by dragging them through the courts. It will silence critics of religion by allowing legitimate criticism, voiced during the ordinary cut and thrust of debate, to be interpreted as incitement of hatred. It will encourage prickliness instead of forbearance and touchiness instead of restraint. We already speak of ethnic groups 'playing the race card'; soon groups will have the chance to 'play the religion card'.

There's much wisdom in that paragraph.