I hope we never get to the stage in the erosion of human rights in Australia when it is a criminal offence to criticise religious beliefs, such as virgin birth or burning bushes or the miracles of some saint. Religions and ideologies are NOT ethnic, they are not national, they are not 'racial'. They are bodies of ideas, of how the world came to be and the proper social relationships between people in it, and by definition, they are put up by adherents in opposition to counter-ideas.

Religious ideas are precisely those which open themselves up to completely legal scrutiny, criticism, scepticism and derision. They are precisely the fields which contend with free speech in a democratic society. Religion is thus beyond the bounds of Section 18 (c).

Joe

Loudmouth,

" it is a criminal offence to criticise religious beliefs, such as virgin birth or burning bushes or the miracles of some saint. "

I call bull$h1t. Evidence please.

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The attacks on free speech are many and varied and almost always about protecting some privileged group or enforcing some preferred viewpoint.

That this is permitted is due in no small part to a lack of historical understanding as to the importance of free speech in maintaining overall freedom. In a society that has no living memory of what lack of freedom looks like and where the culture and education system activiely conspire to suppress such knowledge, it not surprising that freedom of speech is not zealously protected

While I agree with most of this and broad scope whistle blower reform!

It can't ever be used as a trojan horse used to repeal or roll back 18C! No ifs, buts or maybes!
Alan B.

18c stifles political communication and it must go.

How does it do that ttbn? Evidence backed by bona fide examples please!

And you personal belief or predilections are not conclusive evidence of anything, save your personal belief based bias!
Alan B.

Allan B.

Given the incoherent gibberish you spray around, you have one hell of a cheek demanded 'evidence' from me. What planet are you living on that you need proof of what is obvious?