September 2021 | Blasphemy, hate speech, Orwell; the truth in multiculturalism

Reflecting on blasphemy repeal and George Orwell's advice to writers can help us approach hate speech proposals | A podcast to warm a political tragic's heart | Chapter 7 of "How to be a Conservative"

The instructive case of blasphemous libel

Repealing blasphemy offences to uphold free speech can help us think about how to approach proposed hate speech offences

Blasphemy codes are back, but perhaps not as you know them. Of course, no-one’s rushing to criminalise the third commandment (“thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain”), but the commentator and author Louise Perry has argued that we’re seeing the emergence of a “modern, secular form of blasphemy” in the form of Things That Are Unsayable. Unlike the old blasphemy offences, Perry argues that this new code is “furtive”, implicit rather than explicit, but with undeniably real consequences. It’s a thought-provoking argument, particularly as our Government moves to introduce new hate speech offences. Not only that, it’s barely two years since the criminal offence of blasphemous libel was removed from New Zealand’s laws amid ringing affirmations of the importance of free speech. The parallel between blasphemy offences and hate speech offences may not be exact, but it is instructive. Continue reading

The Ministry of Justice’s hate speech discussion document (2021)

Politics and the English language

George Orwell’s advice to writers could save us from Orwellian hate speech outcomes.

I wonder what George Orwell would have made of the term, “Orwellian”. It’s become a cultural shorthand for a word or phrase that’s subversive or indoctrinating, one with a real meaning different and even opposite to its surface meaning. It’s ironic that Orwell himself was a master of clear, evocative writing—a master who was eager to teach. His 1946 essay, “Politics and the English Language,” spells out the connection between clear writing, clear thinking, and politics. It’s a message with particular contemporary relevance. Continue reading

George Orwell in 1940 (public domain)

I’m On Point

Discussing blasphemy, hate speech, philosophy and culture—everything to warm a political tragic’s heart.

I enjoyed the opportunity to appear on On Point, Simon O’Connor’s podcast, earlier this month. Simon’s the member of Parliament for Tamaki, and over the 10 years since he was first elected he’s been consistently one of the most thoughtful MPs inside and outside of the debating chamber. Our discussion got into blasphemy, hate speech, the end of liberalism, the importance of freedom and agency, and many of the other things I write about here. You can listen to the conversation here (Apple Podcasts, iHeart, Anchor.fm, or Spotify) or watch it on Simon’s Facebook page.

The truth in multiculturalism

Part VII of our expedition through “How to be a Conservative”.

Diversity, tolerance, and inclusion are some of our society’s guiding lights. You’ll see them illuminating corporate statements, government policies, academic reports and public discourse. Often they’re meant to help us navigate the claims of multiple cultures—based in religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, age, and so on—so that we can co-exist peacefully and learn from each other. Genuine diversity and inclusion would be a good thing, producing a more cohesive society, stimulating diverse thinking to produce better outcomes, and opening up more opportunities. But paradoxically the version we’re offered often seems to divide more than it unites, stifling tolerance, erecting barriers between cultures, and splintering us into ever-smaller groups. Continue reading