[Jessica.]

What do you think would benefit us if it were legal to say hateful and abusive things?

[parmnion]

Originally Posted by Jessica.

What do you think would benefit us if it were legal to say hateful and abusive things?

Absolutely nothing..

[Oliver_W]

Originally Posted by Josy

I dont think that though, people saying what they think/want and people inciting hatred are two completely different things, the latter is harrasment and abuse both of which are illegal and rightly so.

Hatred is just an emotional response, "inciting" it shouldn't be a legal matter either.

Originally Posted by Jessica.

What do you think would benefit us if it were legal to say hateful and abusive things?

How would it be beneficial to control what people can and cannot say? Why is people not feeling upset for a few minutes more important than freedom?

[parmnion]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

Hatred is just an emotional response, "inciting" it shouldn't be a legal matter either.


How would it be beneficial to control what people can and cannot say? Why is people not feeling upset for a few minutes more important than freedom?

I think the thought is..


Why would you want to say hateful things.

[parmnion]

Imo there is no need of it outside comedy or parody...

[Oliver_W]

Originally Posted by parmnion

I think the thought is..


Why would you want to say hateful things.

Originally Posted by parmnion

Imo there is no need of it outside comedy or parody...

There's no need to eat more than enough to stay alive, and no need to watch television. We should be able to do things we don't need, as long it doesn't directly lead to violence.

[bitontheslide]

people say hateful and spiteful things everyday - many examples are on this very forum, nobody bats an eye and it's not illegal, but it suddenly becomes a problem if a protected group is referenced. It's not a level playing field.

Personally, i think things have gone too far. We are now at the point where if 1 single person takes offence at something someone said, then it is classified as a hate incident. That is 100% wrong, and I can't believe that is now the law.

[Mystic Mock]

To me I'd meet Oliver halfway on this topic.

I personally don't think that verbally attacking a group of people on Social Media should see you arrested. And I do agree with Oliver that violent hate crimes should definitely see the thug that committed the offence arrested.

However we do get cases where say a Lesbian woman is getting harassed by a straight guy for being a Lesbian, and he keeps hurling abuse at her, imo that individual should also be arrested for harassment and a hate crime as he would've deliberately targeted her because she's a Lesbian.

Obviously I'm just putting out a hypothetical scenario there (that was also quite long winded) but I hope that you guys understand what I'm trying to say.

[thesheriff443]

You can cause pain/distress and fear by using words without the need for physical violence so that’s why the law is rightfully in place.

And even calling someone fat and ugly can lead to them taking their own life.

It’s about what’s being said who it’s being said to, why it’s being said and who is saying it.

[Nicky91]

Originally Posted by Mystic Mock

To me I'd meet Oliver halfway on this topic.

I personally don't think that verbally attacking a group of people on Social Media should see you arrested. And I do agree with Oliver that violent hate crimes should definitely see the thug that committed the offence arrested.

However we do get cases where say a Lesbian woman is getting harassed by a straight guy for being a Lesbian, and he keeps hurling abuse at her, imo that individual should also be arrested for harassment and a hate crime as he would've deliberately targeted her because she's a Lesbian.

Obviously I'm just putting out a hypothetical scenario there (that was also quite long winded) but I hope that you guys understand what I'm trying to say.

yes i understand, i mean on social media you can block certain people, or put your profile to private (visible to friends only)

in real life, and out on the Streets, you can't so you're less protected against hate crime

[Josy]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

people say hateful and spiteful things everyday - many examples are on this very forum, nobody bats an eye and it's not illegal, but it suddenly becomes a problem if a protected group is referenced. It's not a level playing field.



Personally, i think things have gone too far. We are now at the point where if 1 single person takes offence at something someone said, then it is classified as a hate incident. That is 100% wrong, and I can't believe that is now the law.

Of course it's not a level playing field though because certain groups of people haven't been targeted by hate and prejudice for centuries.

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Josy

Of course it's not a level playing field though because certain groups of people haven't been targeted by hate and prejudice for centuries.

What about groups like Brexiteers? All thick, racist, bigots who don't know what they're doing. Have they been the target of hate crimes over the past few years?

[Alf]

Katie Hopkins receives abusive comments everyday. Is she the victim of hate crimes?

[Josy]

Originally Posted by Alf

Katie Hopkins receives abusive comments everyday. Is she the victim of hate crimes?

I would say she is more guilty of inciting hate than receiving it tbh

That said, none of it is ok IMO

[Elliot]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

as long it doesn't directly lead to violence.

But hatred often leads to violence..

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Elliot

But hatred often leads to violence..

Only if the person commiting the violence, is violent.

[Kizzy]

Have you seen the flak the creator of father ted is getting over his views?

Youtube video

[Livia]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

people say hateful and spiteful things everyday - many examples are on this very forum, nobody bats an eye and it's not illegal, but it suddenly becomes a problem if a protected group is referenced. It's not a level playing field.

Personally, i think things have gone too far. We are now at the point where if 1 single person takes offence at something someone said, then it is classified as a hate incident. That is 100% wrong, and I can't believe that is now the law.

There's nothing more to be said.

[Kizzy]

That's not what's happening though, one person is not offended many are... What is the issue is the opinions and views of those who have spoken out against certain topics relating to the trans community and being vilified for it.
As seen here being investigated, losing work, receiving death and rape threats.

[Elliot]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

That's not what's happening though, one person is not offended many are... What is the issue is the opinions and views of those who have spoken out against certain topics relating to the trans community and being vilified for it.
As seen here being investigated, losing work, receiving death and rape threats.

Hating trans people is basically the status quo in the uk I swear every media personality here has some sort of variety of these views.. it’s not like it’s this unpopular opinion speaking truth to power.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Elliot

Hating trans people is basically the status quo in the uk I swear every media personality here has some sort of variety of these views.. it’s not like it’s this unpopular opinion speaking truth to power.

That's not true, and a celebrity is not void from an opinion they have no more power than you or I to change anything except a wider reach.

[Oliver_W]

Originally Posted by Josy

Of course it's not a level playing field though because certain groups of people haven't been targeted by hate and prejudice for centuries.

No-one has been alive for centuries. Things have moved on, we're not our ancestors. Class/wealth has more impact on people's lives than their race. Otherwise, the playing field is basically level.

[Josy]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

No-one has been alive for centuries. Things have moved on, we're not our ancestors. Class/wealth has more impact on people's lives than their race. Otherwise, the playing field is basically level.

I never said anyone has been alive for centuries but hate and prejudice certainly has

Also wouldn't say things had moved on so much when we still have people saying hate speech is ok and should be allowed

[Withano]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

Hatred is just an emotional response, "inciting" it shouldn't be a legal matter either.


How would it be beneficial to control what people can and cannot say? Why is people not feeling upset for a few minutes more important than freedom?

If you think freedom is the ability to call a black person a ******, then you’ve never truly been restricted.

[Withano]

Originally Posted by Alf

Katie Hopkins receives abusive comments everyday. Is she the victim of hate crimes?

The words she chooses to use is not part of her DNA or culture so no, not even close