Liberals Advance Bill That Could Criminalize Quoting The Bible As Hate Speech

Canada's Bill C-9, the "Combatting Hate Act," passed the House of Commons and is now before the Senate, sparking controversy. This legislation removes legal protections for religious expression, potentially criminalizing quoting Bible passages deemed hateful. Critics, including religious leaders like the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, fear this could target Christians and others referencing scripture on topics like sexuality. Supporters argue the bill addresses rising hate crimes and targets symbols of hate. However, the removal of the religious defense worries faith communities across denominations, including Muslims. Liberal MP Marc Miller explicitly stated that quoting certain biblical passages could be seen as not in "good faith." The bill creates harsher penalties for promoting hatred and expands the definition of "willful promotion of hatred." While some Jewish organizations support the bill for tackling antisemitism, the majority of religious groups oppose it. The author suggests this bill represents a concerning trend of government control over speech and religious freedom. It cautions Americans to resist similar measures, emphasizing the importance of free speech and religious liberty. The article calls for support to combat such censorship and to protect these rights.