Freedom of Speech Does Not Equal Freedom from Offense

In the course of the recent outrage over a Swedish cartoon, groups such as the OIC and countries such as Iran, Pakistan, and Egypt showed that they have absolutely no respect for freedom of speech. They have no problem with freedom of speech so long as they like that speech. They want Islam to be given a special exception to freedom of speech, so that no one is ever allowed to criticize it.

A statement by the Egyptian ambassador to Sweden illustrates this authoritarian hypersensitivity. Story from The Local.

Egyptian ambassador Mohamed Sotouhi told news agency TT that he and a group of fellow ambassadors had agreed on a list of measures Sweden needed to take if it was to secure a long-term solution to the Muhammad cartoon controversy.

According to Sotouhi, "comprehensive measures" were required if Sweden was to prevent some "amateur artist" from reawakening tensions every other month.

"We want to see action, not just nice words. We have to push for a change in the law," he said."Muslims need legal protection against the desecration of the Prophet Muhammad, maybe something similar to the protection enjoyed by Jews and homosexuals."

While praising the "very constructive steps" taken by Fredrik Reinfeldt, the Egyptian ambassador said that Sweden had much work left to do.

"In the long term the school curriculum has to convince pupils that if they want to express their opinion they should do so in such a way that it doesn't cause offence or hurt. This should also be part of journalism training," said Sotouhi.

"A permanent parliamentary committee also needs to be established to tackle islamophobia," he added.

The ambassador urged Reinfeldt to strive towards "reaching a balance between freedom of speech and taking responsibility to avoid offending Muslims or other religious groups in this society".

This is authoritarianism, pure and simple. Countries such as Egypt, Pakistan, and Iran do not have anything that it any way resembles Western protections for freedom of speech. They are trying to force Western countries to revoke freedom of speech when Islam is involved. They are showing that they are not ready to join the civilized world and would rather live in an authoritarian state where no one is ever allowed to dare criticize Islam.

People who argue this are simply bullies, trying to force their religious beliefs upon others. It's time to stand up to the bullies and stand up for freedom of speech and freedom of expression. They need to understand that these rights are not negotiable.

If the West was to give in to these demands, it will be a slap in the face to millions who fought and died to establish and protect these rights. It would tell World War II veterans that we simply don't respect their sacrifice in fighting the Nazis, Italian fascists, and Imperial Japanese. He would tell the founding fathers that their revolutionary ideals of freedom mean absolutely nothing. It would destroy the foundation laid by such thinkers as John Locke, Voltaire, John Stuart Mill, Montesquieu, and countless others.

I don't want to live in a world in which my government tells me how I can think, act, or speak. Any backsliding on individual freedoms is wrong and should be condemned by all who love liberty. Anything less is appeasement.

(Hat tip: Wizbang)