CV NEWS FEED // A soon-to-be-voted Canadian bill would strip free speech protections from religious groups opposing LGBTQ ideology under the guise of combating anti-Semitism and hate speech.
According to an emailed press release from the human rights organization International Christian Concern (ICC), Bill C-367 could remove protections for speaking about religion from Canadian Criminal Code. The bill specifies that it aims to stem the promotion of hatred or anti-Semitism by repealing the two sections of the Criminal Code containing religious protections.
Section 319.3.b states that a person cannot be convicted of anti-Semitism “if, in good faith, the person has expressed or attempted to establish by argument an opinion on a religious subject or an opinion based on a belief in a religious text.
The Code also states the same in article 319.3.1.b regarding hate speech, which, according to the code, means any writing, sign or visible representation that advocates or promotes genocide” or that “promotes hatred against any identifiable group.” »
The bill would repeal both sections, meaning Christians or anyone else opposing LGBTQ ideology or even quoting the Bible could be found guilty of hate speech.
“Any religious or faith-based expression that criticizes gender ideology, the sexualization of children, and the sex reassignment of children will likely be considered ‘hate speech’ against the LGBTQ community,” the ICC said. “If passed, this bill would be a devastating legal tool to attack believers in Canada and would allow politicians working through the courts and police to send devout believers to prison for quoting the Bible , the Koran or other religious texts.
ICC President Jeff King said the bill is similar to methods that “dictators and despots” in countries like China, Vietnam, Cuba, Pakistan and many others use “to to silence and stifle Christianity.”
“Canadians who enjoy the fruits of democracy need to wake up,” he said. “Any Western politician who advocates for this type of legislation and sells ‘protection and unity’ by advancing hate speech laws is an enemy of freedom and democracy, and is prepared to undermine religion and free speech laws that protect all citizens to get things done. their particular interest or to inflict damage on their political enemies.
