The Volokh Conspiracy - "Christian Hotel Owners Hauled Before Court After Defending Their Beliefs in Discussion With Muslim Guest,"

reports the Daily Mail (UK). Note that this sort of thing is hard to evaluate without knowing exactly what was said, and that in turn is hard to do when there are just recollections of what was said in extemporaneous conversation. Nonetheless, the breadth of the law, which covers "abusive or insulting words" generally -- which would potentially include speech that condemns a religion -- and not just threats and personalized insults, is enough to give cause for worry:

A Christian couple have been charged with a criminal offence after taking part in what they regarded as a reasonable discussion about religion with guests at their hotel.

Ben and Sharon Vogelenzang were arrested after a Muslim woman complained to police that she had been offended by their comments.

They have been charged under public order laws with using 'threatening, abusive or insulting words' that were 'religiously aggravated'....

Although the facts are disputed, it is thought that during the conversation the couple were challenged over their Christian beliefs.

It is understood that they suggested that Mohammed, the founder of Islam, was a warlord and that traditional Muslim dress for women was a form of bondage.

They deny, however, that their comments were threatening and argue that they had every right to defend and explain their beliefs....

If anyone can point me to any more specific details on the case, I'd love to see them. Thanks to Victor Steinbok for the pointer.

	[Eugene Volokh, September 21, 2009 at 1:43am] Trackbacks "Christian Hotel Owners Hauled Before Court After Defending Their Beliefs in Discussion With Muslim Guest," reports the Daily Mail (UK). Note that this sort of thing is hard to evaluate without knowing exactly what was said, and that in turn is hard to do when there are just recollections of what was said in extemporaneous conversation. Nonetheless, the breadth of the law, which covers "abusive or insulting words" generally -- which would potentially include speech that condemns a religion -- and not just threats and personalized insults, is enough to give cause for worry: A Christian couple have been charged with a criminal offence after taking part in what they regarded as a reasonable discussion about religion with guests at their hotel. Ben and Sharon Vogelenzang were arrested after a Muslim woman complained to police that she had been offended by their comments. They have been charged under public order laws with using 'threatening, abusive or insulting words' that were 'religiously aggravated'.... Although the facts are disputed, it is thought that during the conversation the couple were challenged over their Christian beliefs. It is understood that they suggested that Mohammed, the founder of Islam, was a warlord and that traditional Muslim dress for women was a form of bondage. They deny, however, that their comments were threatening and argue that they had every right to defend and explain their beliefs.... If anyone can point me to any more specific details on the case, I'd love to see them. Thanks to Victor Steinbok for the pointer.