Free Speech for One is Free Speech Another

John R. Houk
© May 6, 2010

Ben’s Blog utilizes a SIOA video to bring to focus to the plight of Rifqa Bary. I have not updated her info in quite some time. Actually Ben’s post is not so much about Bary as it is a reminder of what Islam is capable toward Muslim Apostates, Christians and Westerners in general. The SIOA video is actually a promotion for funds to post ads on public transportation vehicles in major cities providing options to those wishing to leave Islam to counter the same agenda by American-Islamic organizations that have used the public transportation ad to promote joining Islam. Both situations should be protected by free speech; however Muslim-American organizations have attempted to pressure cities to remove the SIOA ads as offensive to Islam. Offensive: meaning inciting hate-speech thus a back door accusation of bigoted racism. Perhaps Christians should be offended that American-Islamic organizations are promoting Islam in a nation that over 70% of the people consider themselves Christians. Using the Muslim logic the Muslim ads promoting Islam would thus be offensive toward Christianity; ergo the Muslim-American organizations would be inciting hate-speech toward Christians entering the realm of racist bigotry against non-Muslims?

Of course accusing the promotion of Islam as bigoted is as ludicrous as calling ads that show a safe way to leave Islam is racist bigotry is ludicrous.

JRH 5/6/10