Living in a free society means that we have the right to offend people, and in turn be offended by others. A free society does not ban books, nor does it stop people from voicing their opinions, nor allow people to be blackmailed and intimidated. In a free society we can, and should, challenge each other’s beliefs, through free and open debate, and rely on rational argument and reason rather than threats and censorship.
 
One event in particular last week brought the question of blasphemy and censorship to the fore. A talk on ‘Sharia Law and Human Rights’ organised by the Queen Mary Atheism, Secularism and Humanism Society, which had to be cancelled after threats of violence interrupted proceedings.
 
Free expression, the free exchange of ideas and free debate are hallmarks of an open society; violence and the threat of violence should never be allowed to compromise that. No one has the right not to have their most profound beliefs challenged.
 
This weekend the BHA, in association with the Centre for Inquiry UK, and Conway Hall, is hosting a day conference in London to explore blasphemy, religious hatred, and human rights. Tickets for this increasingly relevant discussion are still available from the BHA website.

The BHA is supporting One Law for All’s rally in defence of free expression in solidarity with our affiliate society at Queen Mary’s, deploring the threats they received and the chilling effect this has had on the free exchange of views on their campus. Violence and the threat of violence should never be allowed to compromise the principles of our open society.
 
We will be working with student groups over the coming months on how Student Unions were approaching issues of free speech and offence in relation to religious and non-religious beliefs with a view to providing guidance to institutions which will encourage the preservation of free expression.