Freedom to question beliefs
I was refreshed to see the film "The Wicker Man" on ITV 4 recently, which acknowledged the history of beliefs of this country. Many people are sceptical of Christian beliefs, as have people in all periods including the time of Jesus himself.
However, it is a fact that Britain's history is built upon the Christian faith.
I do feel we should be free to celebrate the Christian history of this country, a system of belief which formed this very principle.
We are encouraged to express opinions in every aspect of life, yet as soon as we form an opinion on the meaning of our life we are told not to express it for fear of offending other people.
The response of radical Islamists to a statement by the Pope, which seemed to suggest they were violent, resulted in radical Islamists proving the statement correct by acting violently.
One has to wonder whether there is a serious case of double standards in this country at the moment.
Are we are really using our freedom of speech to retain our heritage or are we simply allowing others, who hate the standards of this country, to use it to bring about its abolition.
What is wrong with using one's freedom of speech to ask why one's freedom of speech is reducing?
Surely I should be able to express an opinion in a respectful way without the fear of threats of violence from people who disagree.
I am not applying this to peaceful Muslims around the world, but one is increasingly forced to question whether radical Islamists, a very small minority, are being treated with too much esteem.
Is the vast majority of this country submitting to the demands of a small hate-filled minority, simply for fear of offending them? And how does this fit in with the concept of democracy?
Please restore my confidence in our freedom of speech.
Richard O' Carroll, Shrewsbury
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