LET US STOP PRETENDING THAT THERE IS SUCH A THING AS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

President Macron is causing offence internationally by espousing the errant concept that the human species has a right to liberty of expression. Over the last years and this week we have been witness to the grotesque consequences that such a misguided and inaccurate myth has brought upon the innocent. Every person, family, community, society, culture, faith and nation sets limits on such a freedom. From the simple withholding of a negative comment about a person's look, hairstyle, clothing or figure, not to cause offence, to the laws that prevent outraging public decency, causing offence, blasphemy, defamation and treason. Our speaking, writing and acting are constrained continually by the boundaries of manners, propriety, expectation and requirement. It is wholly unsatisfactory that developed societies that have increasingly legislated to protect the privacy and reputation of the living, should stand by and condone the demeaning, mocking and insulting of historical figures, especially when immense public outrage and devastating consequences result. In building a peaceful world, it seems that communications can inadvertently or deliberately become weaponised to deadly and far reaching effect. We need to evolve a new way of approaching the concept of expression, whether it be by speech, writing or illustration, to ensure that it promotes respect, understanding, inclusion and social harmony. 

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/world/french-interior-minister-says-country-is-at-war-and-predicts-more-attacks-after-nice-killings-lj0rvl02d

ARCHBISHOP JONATHAN BLAKE - MY LIFE - PART ONE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFpYhuH-n7Q

ARCHBISHOP JONATHAN BLAKE - MY LIFE - PART TWO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STVJxukhA3o

I AM PROUD OF MY WRITING, FOR JESUS’S SAKE, THAT HAS HAD ME FOUND INNOCENT IN HEAVEN, BUT TWICE A CRIMINAL ON THE EARTH. THE FIRST IN 1990 WHEN I WROTE A BIBLICAL TEXT ON THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT IN PEACEFUL PROTEST ABOUT THE BOMBING OF YOUNG IRAQI RECRUITS DURING THE FIRST GULF WAR. THE SECOND, IN 2016 WHEN I WROTE ON MY BLOG, TO ALERT THE PUBLIC ABOUT A PAEDOPHILE, AND WAS SUCCESSFUL IN FORCING THE AUTHORITIES TO STOP HIM HAVING ACCESS TO CHILDREN. THERE WAS ALMOST A THIRD! IN 1997, WHEN I WAS ARRESTED FOR NAILING MY PROPOSALS FOR REFORM OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND ON THE DOOR OF CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL. WORDS ARE POWERFUL MESSAGES THAT CHALLENGE  CORRUPTION, CONFRONT THE WICKED AND CREATE A BETTER WORLD. JESUS IS THE WORD OF GOD AND HIS FOLLOWERS ARE CALLED  TO COMMUNICATE HIS WORDS,  IRRESPECTIVE OF THE COST.

http://bishopjonathanblake.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/press-release-concerning-met-police.html

"You brave, courageous and wonderful man. To stand up for the truth in the face of suppression and oppression is truly an act of a pure heart."