This news story might interest members here. It seems the Jehovah Witnesses are being investigated for "religious hatred" because their magazine included an article which claimed:
Some former Jehovah Witnesses have complained to the police about this and want to use the religious hatred laws. Presumably they are arguing on the basis that their religious "status" as ex-Witnesses deserves legal protection?Suppose that a doctor told you to avoid contact with someone who is infected with a contagious, deadly disease. You would know what the doctor means, and you would strictly heed his warning. Well, apostates are ‘mentally diseased’, and they seek to infect others with their disloyal teachings.
Disgusted as I am by the way the Jehovah Witnesses deal with dissent in their ranks, and as must as I sympathise with ex-JWs, I am not comfortable with the idea of them being prosecuted over this. Surely they are entitled to freedom of speech and free expression of religion? What do you lot think about this one?
If atheists, agnostics and others who disdain any attachment to a formal religious movement had protection under "religious hatred" laws, then the courts would be so jammed up it would take years to get a judgement on anything!