The "Problem" of Free Speech

Offensive Camper Vans

Matters of public decency are always problematic.  On the one hand, free speech advocates rush to defend public speech (signs, displays, words) that generally support their own views.  Thus, grossly offensive "art" in galleries and museums ridiculing Christian doctrines or people are riotously celebrated.  But when the "cause" is contrary to hedonistic or libertine principles, it quickly becomes another matter.

We have seen just such a case in New Zealand--the Wicked Campers affair.  Wicked Campers rent out cheap and nasty camper vans for tourists to hire and beetle around the country.  Their vans are always recognizable: garishly painted, with crude and offensive slogans--usually demeaning women.  A few female politicians have harrumphed and trumpeted their ire at Wicked Campers.  Not a few Christians are likely asking Cabinet Ministers Paula Bennett, Louise Upston, Amy Adams, and Maggie Barry  the odd rhetorical question like, How does it feel now?

Ironically, many of Wicked Campers clients are female tourists.
 They are the late teens, twenties, and early thirties set who lean libertine and enjoy a good joke.  Especially, when a bargain is thrown in to boot.  Wicked Campers' vans are cheap and nasty.  The oh-so-modern set vote with their wallets. Maybe they are like the cohort of European females who convert to Islam because they enjoy the notoriety of wearing the hijab and the attention it garners.

In any event here is a case of a business which is promoting its trade by being offensive to many.  It raises once again the ethic of free speech, one of the most important liberties we possess.  As Christians if we don't argue for the rights of free speech, we must concede the right of the public to outlaw Christian speech.  We have no doubt many would relish that prospect.

What, then, should be done with Wicked Campers?  Firstly, mesdames Bennett, Upston, Adams, and Barry should dismount Horse Outrage if they are speaking and proposing to act as Ministers of Government.  If, on the other hand, they are simply expressing their disgust and outrage, good on them.  Go to it.  We join our voice to yours.

If holiday camp owners wish to ban Wicked Campers vans from their premises they are more than entitled to do so.  Good on them--especially since their business is likely to suffer from other clients taking offence at vans with such slogans as "Your thighs won't touch if my head's between them" and "A big legged woman ain't got no soul" parked on the grounds.   Wicked Campers is owned by an Australian.  Doubtless he considers sentiments such as those above to be sophisticated, clever humour.

A bit of the odd friendly confrontation with hirers of the vans wouldn't go amiss either, like "Why are you driving around in a van with obscenities painted on it?"  Shaming is the best medicine.  In the end, though, moves using the powers of the State to proscribe the "speech" of Wicked Campers need to be themselves proscribed.

When we start down that track it does not take much for the speech and thought police to start knocking on our doors.