It’s been a tumultuous year, as far as the right to free expression is concerned. In the US, we’re self-censoring out of fear of (possibly imaginary) violence. In the UK, attempts to be non-offensive are of themselves so offensive it’s mind-boggling.
The Telegraph reports today that a Baptist preacher has been arrested for doing what Baptist preachers are often found doing- loudly and publicly proclaiming their religious beliefs to everyone within earshot. What’s different in this case is that rather than inspiring some bemused head shaking or street debate, the attempt ended in an arrest, under a law designed to combat post-sports brawling and similar foolishness.
If one can now be arrested for voicing one’s opinions publicly any time those opinions cause offense, I can imagine the jails will become very full.
