Despite Scotland repealing its blasphemy law in 2021, the country has replaced it with a new, equally problematic statute that criminalizes "hate speech" – a vague and ambiguous concept that can be used to silence anyone who dares to challenge the dominant dogmas of our time. This piece of legislation has raised serious concerns about the erosion of free speech and the risks of censorship.

The law, which came into force on April 1, makes it a crime to "stir up hate" with words or behavior against anyone based on age, religion, disability, transgender identity, sexual orientation, or "variations in sex characteristics." However, the definition of "hate" is left deliberately unclear, leaving it to the state to decide what constitutes acceptable speech and what does not. This lack of clarity is a recipe for disaster, as it provides a wide range of interpretations and can lead to arbitrary enforcement.

The implications of this law are far-reaching and chilling. Could certain statements about biological reality, the need to protect single-sex changing rooms, or beliefs about marriage and human sexuality soon be illegal? The answer is yes, and it's already happening. In Finland, a grandmother and politician were prosecuted for questioning her church leadership's decision to sponsor a Helsinki Pride event. In Mexico, two politicians were convicted of "gender-based political violence" for upholding their beliefs in the biological reality of women.

The ripple of censorship is spreading, as evidenced by South Africa's recent passage of a "hate speech" law and the looming threat of similar legislation in Ireland. In Canada, a bill has been put forward that could put citizens under house arrest if it's suspected that they could commit "hate speech." The consequences of these laws are dire, as they turn the state into a censor and create a culture of fear and intimidation.

The lesson of history is clear: the state cannot be trusted to decide what speech is acceptable and what is not. Inevitably, the "unacceptable views" will be those that go against government policy and political and cultural orthodoxies. We thought we had learned this lesson in the West, but sadly, it seems we are going to have to learn it all over again.

The Heresy Trials of the Woke Era

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