WHEN A POLITICAL RIGHT
OPENS THE DOOR TO RELIGIOUS DEBATE
T
he idea of political censorship in the Western world in which we now live is almost unthinkable, as our democratic society allows us to freely seek, impart and receive information and ideas with such ease that we have to come to be oblivious to any other way of life.
Words and photographs: Isabelle Williams
Compare Britain with certain countries in Asia or the Middle East, for example - where any agenda that is seen to encourage alternative thinking is quickly put down - and the stark contrast surrounding attitudes towards freedom of speech becomes apparent.
Clockwise from top: A Muslim speaker encourages a peaceful and equal society; The leader of an Islamic group of hecklers mocks a Jewish speaker promoting prayer; An African Muslim argues his point. Facing page: A Christian speaker is angered by criticism of his religion.
Every Sunday since 1872, innumerable crowds of people have descended on Speakers’ Corner in London’s Hyde Park, to exercise their right to freedom of speech, in what always proves to be an exciting and unique display of public debate and conversation. While past speakers have included
prominent political figures such as Karl Marx, William Morris, Vladimir Lenin and George Orwell (and while there is indeed still a fairly sizeable presence of Socialist and Marxist speakers), the current topic of debate appears to centre primarily around religion as opposed to politics. What exactly has caused one area of focus to override another?
A devout man speaks out against Islam, claiming Christian superiority over all other religions and stating his belief that Allah does not exist.
With large-scale stories on immigration and asylum dominating the press, the issue of a growing multi-cultural society and the decline of a predominantly Christian population is enough to cause a shift in principal conversation.
As the religious speakers begin to shout out from their platforms on a Sunday, a crowd of listeners at Speakers’ Corner will most likely produce a small band of hecklers, who often put forward well-constructed arguments against that of the orator. However, in some cases, the discussion breaks down into verbal warfare between two or more conflicting parties. Situations like this can become heated
and, given the religious subject matter, take an almost shockingly racist turn. In the past, some disputes have led to eruptions of violence, where groups of religious men and women have clashed; although this occurrence is rare, meaning the police presence remains minimal around Speakers’ Corner. Law enforcement rarely gets involved, unless a complaint is made or threatening behaviour is witnessed. As a result of our political right to freedom of speech, Britain provides immigrated Muslims and Jews, among other religious groups of course, with a chance to suddenly give a voice to their opinions - an opportunity they may not have been afforded in their country of origin. This can be used to explain why Speakers’ Corner has become a semi-haven for religious speakers wishing to promote their ideas or indeed deconstruct those of others.
Top left: An atheist and a Christian debate the existence of God. Bottom left: A Muslim argues with a homeless man who expressed concerns about increasing numbers of foreigners in Britain. Right: Offended Muslim hecklers jeer at a Christian man, and include derogatory comments about his wife.