For years, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has been pushing hard to criminalize any and all criticism of Islam in non-Muslim countries; it’s what the Innocence of Muslims video and Danish cartoons were used to help accomplish. There are now politicians in Great Britain who are actually attempting to move closer to that very thing. The Daily Telegraph reported:
Anyone who criticises Sharia law or gay marriage could be branded an “extremist” under sweeping new powers planned by the Conservatives to combat terrorism, an alliance of leading atheists and Christians fear.
Theresa May, the Home Secretary, unveiled plans last month for so-called Extremism Disruption Orders, which would allow judges to ban people deemed extremists from broadcasting, protesting in certain places or even posting messages on Facebook or Twitter without permission.
Mrs May outlined the proposal in a speech at the Tory party conference in which she spoke about the threat from the so-called Islamic State – also known as Isis and Isil – and the Nigerian Islamist movement Boko Haram.
But George Osborne, the Chancellor, has made clear in a letter to constituents that the aim of the orders would be to “eliminate extremism in all its forms” and that they would be used to curtail the activities of those who “spread hate but do not break laws”.
He explained that that the new orders, which will be in the Conservative election manifesto, would extend to any activities that “justify hatred” against people on the grounds of religion, sexual orientation, gender or disability.
He also disclosed that anyone seeking to challenge such an order would have to go the High Court, appealing on a point of law rather than fact.
The National Secular Society and the Christian institute – two organisations with often diametrically opposing interests – said they shared fears that the broad scope of extremism could represent a major threat to free speech.
Even if these politicians have pure motives, they’re advocating policies that lead to greater danger. It’s the same mentality that causes spooked business owners, churches, etc. to put signs on their doors that read “No guns on these premises”. The law-abiding will obey; the criminals will do what criminals do; disobey them.
This puts the innocent in greater danger.
The same holds true in this instance. For years, Muslim fundamentalists have taken to the streets of Great Britain and spewed the type of hate and vitriol discussed above. In fact, in 2006 they took to the streets of London (just a months after the 7/7 attacks) and called for another 9/11, overthrow of the government, rape, pillaging and murder. The reason for the protests were the Danish cartoons (anti-Islamic speech).
The intentions of the Muslims were exactly in line with what the OIC has been lusting for – criminalization of criticism of Islam. Police stood by and did nothing:
What Great Britain’s politicians are advocating only serves to strengthen the Muslim fundamentalists, who are thrilled with this news, despite the claims that the same standard will be applied to all, even the Muslim community.
That’s the fallacy; it will not.
Just as a sign on the door prohibiting guns will not prevent criminals with guns from entering and killing innocent people the proprietor rendered defenseless.