When a right is not right

One of the most protected rights in our Western Civilization is the right to the freedom of speech. The rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion have been the benchmark rights that have sustained democracy and our Canadian way of life. However, there are times when these two fundamental rights come into conflict.

While flying back from Toronto last week, I picked up the National Post edition (April 2nd), and began to read Enayat Najafiizada and Rob Nordland’s article on, “’Hunted Down’ at UN.” They described an international incident in Mazar-i-sharif, Afghanistan, the result of a Florida pastor’s burning of a Qu’ran and a killing spree initiated by Muslims acting on directives from three Mullahs against members of the UN.

Obviously, this is not the first time “sacred books” have been burned. History tells the story of Mary Tudor’s attempt to wipe out the Reformation in 1553 by killing over 300 reformers and burning all copies of the Bible in the English tongue. Some readers will remember the Night of the Broken Glass in 1938 when the Nazis burned synagogues and Torahs. I was in Nigeria when Muslim extremists killed pastors, burned churches and Bibles. It now appears that one man’s burning of a copy of the Qu’ran has ignited a global maelstrom.

Voltaire, one of the Enlightenment’s most famous atheists, satirists, writers and philosophers, was also one of its greatest defenders of civil liberties and religious freedom. He had an interesting worldview. He was equally vicious towards Jews, Christians and Muslims. Yet, he is quoted as saying, “Even though I do not agree with what you have to say, I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”