Scotland has repealed its outdated blasphemy law, but has introduced a new 'hate speech' law that restricts freedom of expression.
In 1697, a man was executed in Scotland for 'blaspheming' for the last time.Thomas Aikenhead, a 20-year-old Edinburgh student of divinity, had joked about the Christian faith while out with friends and challenged the authenticity of the miracles recorded in the Bible. His university friends testified against him in court and, facing the most senior lawyer in Scotland as prosecutor, Aikenhead could not afford a legal defense and represented himself—unsuccessfully.Such days are long gone.
From those who believe that no child was ever 'born in the wrong body' to comedians who push the envelope of acceptability, all manner of Scots could inadvertently go beyond the government's accepted speech parameters.We needn't look too far to see how this goes.
Scotland Blasphemy Law Hate Speech Law Freedom Of Expression Religion
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