Can you get in trouble for talking bad about the Queen?

[Jaggy001]

Originally Posted by Brave New World

There is a difference between stating negative things and making threats or causing people fear or harassment.

You are free to be as negative as you want, however you cross the line when there is an explicit intent to cause distress or anxiety, where there are threats or where behaviour puts others in fear.

Section 29B:

• (1) A person who uses threatening words or behaviour, or displays any written material which is threatening, is guilty of an offence if he intends thereby to stir up religious hatred.

There is a difference between b peacefully expressing views regarding religion and using threatening behaviour or material and this should be noted.

Nevertheless, there is an inherent hypocrisy. The people who would label you a bigot for criticising Islam or Catholicism are usually the same ones who are criticising the monarchy.

[Brave New World]

Originally Posted by bg7

You've got a habit, in many threads here, of posting endless links which don't actually illuminate the situation-in-fact, followed by the obligatory smilie.


Is it because the reality doesn't meet your normative hopeful ideal.

I have pointed out the law in relation to the right to free speech balanced with the laws relating to protection of the individual or religous groups in respect to threatening behaviour or hatred or indeed defamatory comments. The links I used were in relation to Human Rights enshrined in our National Law, with cases such as Anjem Choudarys being an important recent example of the law in relation to free speach.

The Law is what dictates what you can and can not say, especially in relation to threatening behaviour or supporting terrorism or in relation to public order or defamation etc etc.

The Law is the Law of the Land and is not my normative hopeful ideal, personal view or indeed my opinion.

I am sorry that you don't seem to understand this, especially in relation to a thread regarding what can and can not be said.

[Brave New World]

Originally Posted by Jaggy001

Nevertheless, there is an inherent hypocrisy. The people who would label you a bigot for criticising Islam or Catholicism are usually the same ones who are criticising the monarchy.

People such as Richard Dawkins and others reguarly criticise Islam, and there is a strong aetheist movement in the UK.

National Secular Society - About

British Humanist Association

Christians Outnumbered By Atheists In England And Wales, Religious Identity Report Reveals | The Huffington Post

You are free to criticise the Monarchy and indeed religions as long as the criticism is not threatening, abusive and doesn't involve harrasement or breaking the law.

I don't think criticism of a religion makes you a bigot, whilst everyone is entitled to an opinion regarding the Monarchy, although recent polls have suggested the Monarchy is very popular, especially when compared to politicians who are Heads of State in many countries.

Sky Data: Most Britons Want To Retain Monarchy