Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Fundamental Freedoms
2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
- (a) Freedom of conscience and religion;
- (b) Freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
- (c) Freedom of peaceful assembly; and
- (d) Freedom of association.
So this whole Duck Dynasty controversy has definitely stirred up some interesting conversations on the debates of "Free Speech", "Homosexuality" and religion. I don't get how this debate comes up over and over again, and many people still can't agree to disagree on these topics. Some of the opinions I've heard are positively atrocious. Others don't make sense to the point of hilarity and very few points make any sense at all. I normally tend to leave these topics alone, but seeing as there is so much controversy, and this is my blog, I figured I would put in my two cents to anyone who cares to read this.
Part 1 - Free Speech
The right to free speech sounds pretty cut and dry right? The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (because I live in Canada) says that everyone has the right to voicing their own opinion. The Charter also states that it "guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society". So basically we have the right to free speech, within reason. I believe the American equivilent states about the same. So within reason, we all have the fundamental right to free speech. But what does that mean exactly? What is "within reason"? I know you can get charged with threatening bodily harm to people. So that's one thing you're really not free to say ... so where is the real limit? Basically, there isn't one. The freedom of speech in North America is 100% true. We, as people, as citizens of Canada and the United States can say whatever we like, whenever we like. If it can come out of our mouth, we're free to say it. The thing is, we as people, have created lawas and rules that add consequence to our words and actions. A few examples:
- i, Freedom of expression: I'm an artist. I like to express myself through art. The Charter says I have the right to do so. So I go tag up the side of a building with graffiti. Technically under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms I have the right to do so. However, the owner of the building also has the right to charge me with vandalism. So I have the right to freedom of expression with the limit of not hurting anyone or their property in the meantime. Within reason.
- ii, Freedom of Speech. Words are just words right? I am allowed to voice my opinion. That is my right. So it is well within my right, that if I wanted to walk up to my boss tomorrow and call him a "good for nothing n*gger" I could. It is within my rights as a Canadian citizen to do so. It's also within his rights to fire me. Consequence. Freedom of speech .... within reason.
"For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." - Sir Isaac Newton
Your actions and words have consequences. With great freedom comes great responsibility. Realize that everything you do and say has a consequence, a reaction. Good or bad, it's there. So yes we have our "right to free speech", but we also have to make sure we're smart enough to know when and how to exercise those rights.
Now to the reason I'm even writing this article, Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty's interview with GQ.
Phil Robertson in his interview is quoted to have said:
"It seems, to me, a vagina - as a man - would be more desirable then a mans anus. That's just me. I'm just thinking: There's more there! She's got more to offer. I mean, come on! Dudes! You know what I'm saying? But hey, sin: It's not logical, my man. It's just not logical."and later in the article:
"Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and those men," he says. Then he paraphrases Corinthians: "Don't be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers - they wont inherit the kingdom of God. Don't deceive yourself. It's not right."
So Phil Robertson, acting on his freedom of speech, spoke, and now he is facing the consequences of his actions. A&E is an open supporter of all lifestyles and religions and people. We don't know what is in the contract between the Robertsons and A&E. The opinions Phil expressed were his own opinions, not those of A&Es and nothing that is part of the Duck Dynasty franchise. Basically he didn't realize the consequences his words would have.
To read the whole GQ article click here.
