This important step by Welby is sure to upset the Islamic supremacist establishment, which is trying to destroy the freedom of speech in Britain as in other Western countries.
There should be no dispute that the freedom of speech is the cornerstone of any free society, and that to offend is a right under the principles of democracy. On March 26, British comedian, actor and 5-time Golden Globe Host, Ricky Gervais, tweeted:
States governed by the Sharia forbid insults to Islam. Since Islamic supremacists regard insults to Islam to be “Islamophobic” and criminal, they utilize any means possible to curb the freedom of speech and work toward shutting it down altogether. Many Muslims view offense to Muhammad as worthy of death. (Abu Dawud Book 38 no 4348).
Insults to Islam include calling out truths about Islam. No debate is allowed, just name-calling. Fear is an effective tool for subjugation. Those who live in the West who are hyper-concerned about offense are being played for fools, not realizing that their freedoms are at stake, and those of others.
Last year, Gervais told the Hollywood Reporter:
People like the idea of freedom of speech until they hear something they don’t like….I think offense is the collateral damage of free speech, and it’s no reason not to have free speech…. it’s the lesser of two evils. Having free speech and some people getting upset by it is the lesser of two evils because not having free speech is horrendous.
It should be made clear by all pro-freedom people that Sharia blasphemy rules are unwelcome in free societies. These rules are incompatible with free societies and should remain in Sharia states. It is not hate to offend.
Archbishop Welby issued an important statement that should serve as a guideline for all Muslims who may be offended by Muhammad cartoons, and to those Westerners who are ignorant of the consequences of kowtowing to Sharia. The Queen should also now defend the freedom of speech and the integrity of Britain. In 2016, Jihad Watch reported:
Even the usually neutral Queen is fed up with European courts protecting Islamic jihadist hate preachers, saying that they “denigrate Britain” and asking the question: “Give me THREE good reasons” to remain inside the European Union.
For the Queen’s comments ostensibly supporting Brexit, see also HERE, HERE and HERE. Mass migration from the Middle East and Africa, which had a severe negative impact upon Europe, drove the Brexit vote.
The relentless attacks on the freedom of speech demonstrate an inherent danger (among many) with mass migration. Even the Dalai Lama recognized this and warned about it.
It should be noted that again and again, it is solely the adherents of one religion that persistently and systematically attack the freedom of speech.
“Justin Welby: ‘What I learnt from Covid, the threat of cancel culture and the truth on Harry & Meghan’s wedding,'” by Antonello Guerrera, Stefanie Bolzen, Arnaud De la Grange, Rafa de Miguel, la Repubblica, March 30, 2021:
…About the case of Batley Grammar School and the protests after a teacher showed prophet Mohammad’s cartoons in his classroom…what do you think about the way things have been handled? Is there a conflict about freedom of speech?
“I don’t know the details about that case. In this country we abolished the blasphemy laws not long ago, in the past twenty years, and the Church of England was one of those who supported the abolition of the blasphemy laws. Because we feel that blasphemy is, I believe, a morally bad choice, in the sense of denigrating other people’s faith in a bad way, but it should not be a criminal matter.”
“Yes, there can be a conflict in-between and in some parts of the world, you have to be very careful what you say because people feel very, very strongly. But in this country, I think, we have to hold on to freedom of speech. We have very good relationships with Muslim leaders across the country. Many of them are very upset by the cartoons that were shown but also many of them have said no violence, no threats, make it clear that you disagree strongly, but no violence, no threats. In other words, exercise your freedom of speech, but don’t prevent other people exercising their freedom of speech.”
“I think shutting down freedom of expression of religion, which is happening in various parts of Europe at the moment, is entirely wrong as well. We have to speak freely. I’m much more towards the US end of the spectrum on freedom of speech than I am elsewhere towards the other end. I think we have to be open to hearing things we really dislike. There was someone the other day who was saying “the Archbishop of Canterbury who believes in fairies at the bottom of the garden”. Well, obviously, I entirely disagree with his assessment of the Christian faith, or the person of Jesus Christ. But I’m very glad that he feels able to say that, and I don’t want to threaten them for saying it. I don’t think he should be threatened.”…
RichardL says
I am sure next week he will be in a jihadi den barefoot and without a cross and explain to the imam that he loves Muhammad more than Jesus.
E T says
Methinks so too.
mortimer says
Nope, that’s not Welby at all. He has a cool head. The government, I believe, is with him on this.
gravenimage says
True–Welby is not like his predecessor the appalling dhimmi Rowan Williams.He has also met with victims of JIhad terror in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and condemned Jihad terror like the London Bridge attack.
He’s even spoken out against brutal Shari’ah law:
“Hallelujah! Welby takes a stand against Sharia”
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hallelujah-welby-takes-a-stand-against-sharia-c6kzv5hf9
somehistory says
He is right, of course. But the U.S. is being threatened with the same things as other countries because of mozlums and their supporters who don’t want the Truth to get out.
Those ones want to keep their freedom to speak, intact, but relish the idea of silencing those who disagree. People are being fired for speaking their mind.
People …many people…have been silenced on “social media” for speaking their mind, their opinions, the Truth.
One of the attorneys who was working on behalf of Mr. Trump and the stolen votes, is being sued by the computer program company, dominion. One of her lines of defense is that she was using her freedom of speech on politics.
Having to defend oneself in a court of law for speaking the Truth…on whatever subject…shows the risks to the Freedom of Speech given by our Creator and guaranteed by the Constitution. The evil people want to take it from everyone else.
James Lincoln says
somehistory,
I am not an attorney, but my research tells me this:
Dominion will have to prove that made false statements were made about them and that defendants knew these statements were false. Dominion must also show that it suffered damages.
A respect for freedom of speech should render most the defamation suits null and void.
Also, perhaps most importantly, Dominion is a private company in name only, and in reality is a de facto government agency.
somehistory says
Thanks, J.L.
My study and research also indicates they should drop the suit. The claims she made are said by some to be “unreasonable and over the top crazy,” or something similar, and her attorneys are using that to say that the “reasonable person” wouldn’t believe what she said. Therefore, no harm done.
Get “reasonable” people on the jury and she has a win. Because “reasonable” people can see the truth of what she claimed.
Raja says
It is really surprising that the archbishop has spoken for freedom of speech. Being white is a bad word and next in line was freedom of speech. Without freedom of speech we would all be slaves and robots and the devil’s parties including fascist Islam would have their way.
I hope this is just the beginning of some semblance of “resistance” to Leftist and Islamic hegemony.
mortimer says
Enough is enough. No doubt, the time is now right for Britain to rescind the deal with Islam, because the Muslims did not hold up their end of the deal to become good citizens.
The Muslims instead of accepting the freedom of expression as part of British identity, they continuously have attacked it and continue to insult, degrade and offend the indigenous people of the UK.
The deal with Islam in the UK is off and finished. Ricky Gervais and now the archbishop have cancelled the contract with Islam.
Muslims now have the options of accepting criticism of their prophet or leaving UK permanently.
Raja says
Mortimer, That sounds music to my ears. Hope your words are prophetic
Michael Copeland says
The Right to Offend
Lord Justice Bean and Mr. Justice Warby ruled that free speech includes “the right to offend” and pointed out that, “Freedom only to speak inoffensively is not worth having.”
https://www.wnd.com/2021/01/judges-throw-conviction-misgendering-online-discussion/
mortimer says
Very succinct summary. The right to say only what my critics like is not freedom of speech.
tim gallagher says
Central to life in the western world is freedom of speech. Christianity is seemingly always being criticised, but it is able to accept this peacefully. Islam doesn’t belong in any civilised western country because Islam does not for one second believe in freedom of speech. Any criticism of Islam, any cartoon of the piece of crap, Muhammad, and the Muslims go berserk. Islam needs to be kept out of all our non-Muslim countries or freedom of speech, a basic right in western countries, will disappear. Barbaric Islam and our western values are chalk and cheese. We need to keep this clear enemy, Islam, out.
gravenimage says
Archbishop of Canterbury on Muhammad cartoon controversy: ‘In this country, we have to hold on to freedom of speech’
…………………………
Well, *this* is surprising. Kudos to Archbishop Welby for speaking out!
Hoi Polloi says
Archbishop Welby, well done. Nice change to hear statements in support of free speech. Thanks.