Putting Faith in Hate
When Religion Is the Source or Target of Hate Speech

Explores the interplay between law and religion in the area of hate speech, whether religion is the target or source.

Richard Moon (Author)

9781108425469, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 15 February 2018

168 pages
23.5 x 15.7 x 1.3 cm, 0.4 kg

'An insightful and accessible examination of the role of religion in the application of hate speech laws, by a leading scholar in the field.' Nadine Strossen, New York Law School

To allow or restrict hate speech is a hotly debated issue in many societies. While the right to freedom of speech is fundamental to liberal democracies, most countries have accepted that hate speech causes significant harm and ought to be regulated. Richard Moon examines the application of hate speech laws when religion is either the source or target of such speech. Moon describes the various legal restrictions on hate speech, religious insult, and blasphemy in Canada, Europe and elsewhere, and uses cases from different jurisdictions to illustrate the particular challenges raised by religious hate speech. The issues addressed are highly topical: speech that attacks religious communities, specifically anti-Muslim rhetoric, and hateful speech that is based on religious doctrine or scripture, such as anti-gay speech. The book draws on a rich understanding of freedom of expression, the harms of hate speech, and the role of religion in public life.

1. Introduction
2. Freedom of expression and the regulation of hate speech
3. When religious groups are the target of hate speech: Islamophobia and the Muslim tide
4. The ridicule and insult of the sacred
5. When religion is the source of hate speech
6. Conclusion: free speech, religious speech, hate speech.

Subject Areas: Law [L], Religious groups: social & cultural aspects [JFSR], Religion: general [HRA], Religion & beliefs [HR]