There is an ongoing debate between free speech absolutists and what is commonly called the woke mob. One side sees unrestricted self-expression as the only safeguard against totalitarianism. The other sees in this unrestricted speech a licence to speak hatefully and to manipulate others into doing the same. For Catholics, this debate often feels like a lose-lose proposition.
There is a real danger that state power is being abused. In England, ordinary people such as Isabel Vaughan-Spruce have been arrested and charged for thought crimes. Canada’s House of Commons is now considering passing the Combatting Hate Act, which could see passages of Sacred Scripture classified as hate speech. These are not imagined concerns, and they explain why free speech absolutism can appear attractive. At the same time, it is equally clear that deviant individuals are weaponising speech to promote dangerous and antisocial ideas. It is not unreasonable to think that some power of the state should act as a restraint.
