Is mocking someone freedom of speech?

It is absolutely free speech. In order to mean anything at all, free speech must include the freedom to say things other people find offensive.

What is exempt from the First Amendment?

Categories of speech that are given lesser or no protection by the First Amendment (and therefore may be restricted) include obscenity, fraud, child pornography, speech integral to illegal conduct, speech that incites imminent lawless action, speech that violates intellectual property law, true threats, and commercial …

What does the United States Constitution say about freedom of religion?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

What is hate speech in South Africa?

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa allows for the freedom of expression with certain exceptions, one which prohibits the “advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, and that constitutes incitement to cause harm.” This exclusion is one of many considerations noted in the …

Is hate speech considered free speech?

While “hate speech” is not a legal term in the United States, the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that most of what would qualify as hate speech in other western countries is legally protected free speech under the First Amendment. …

What does the Constitution say about free speech?

Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Can religion be a source of hate speech?

Many recent hate speech cases involve religion either as the source of views that are alleged to be hateful or as the target of such views. The “religious” hate speech cases are contentious for the same reason all hate speech cases are contentious.

Should the state regulate harsh criticism of religion?

The regulation of harsh or mocking criticism of a religion is very different from the regulation of hate speech. The state, it is generally said, should take no position on the truth of a particular religious belief system.

What is hate speech and why is it illegal?

Hate speech laws are sometimes presented as a form of civility regulation (a modern version of the blasphemy prohibition), which proscribes speech that is offensive or hurtful to others. It is a mistake, though, to see the harm of hate speech as personal offense, resulting from the emotional force or uncivil tone of the expression.

Does hate speech law apply to Islamophobic speech?

The application of hate speech law to this “new racism,” and to Islamophobic speech in particular, raises a variety of issues.