Free expression must stay free

Re: Anti-Prophet Muhammad video triggers peaceful protest in Windsor, by Kristie Pearce, Sept. 30.

As an independent filmmaker, I’m greatly troubled by calls from the local Muslim community to make changes to Canadian law regarding the “insult” of religion. Are they mad?

The Charter of Rights guarantees free expression, it does not guarantee respect.

The whole point of free expression is to allow people to say things that someone else might not approve of. That includes religious figures and philosophies. Taste can’t be legislated.

I’d recommend that those so grievously offended stop complaining and go make their own movie. Why not put a positive spin on this and use that right to free expression to get their viewpoint across?

Demanding special treatment for religion to declare it “off limits” to satire, opinion, or critical thought is theocracy. Do we really want to live in a nation where people could be dragged into a court of law because some religious figure chose to take offence?

With a blasphemy law in place, criticism of religious positions on everything from human rights to child sex abuse scandals would be outlawed.

I’m proud to say I’m an atheist. It’s my right to use words like “myth” and “fraud” when describing my opinion on religion. And others having the right to disagree with that philosophy is a wonderful thing.

Taking that right away would do far more harm than insulting an idea.