Recently the Scottish government published a Bill that heralded an end to national laws against blasphemy. 

In the same fell swoop, the centuries-old prohibition on criticizing religion will be replaced with a ban on any speech that “stirs up hatred” against categories of people, based on age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

At first glance, the intention of the law sounds reasonable. It is founded on the basic principle that “hating” somebody is wrong, and that certainly, nobody should be subjected to violence based on such hate. Part I of the Bill consolidates largely pre-existing legislation that deals with aggravation based on prejudice.

Part II, however, becomes more problematic by focusing on introducing new measures to outlaw the “stirring up of hatred”. 

Continue reading ‘The Scottish Parliament’s new Hate Crime Bill isn’t really revoking the blasphemy ban. It’s reviving it.’ by Lois McLatchie at Premier Christian News.