Is It Now Illegal To Dislike People Because Of Their Origins?

[dave50]

I ask this because of all the recent obsession with racism. If I was to announce I didn't like the French or Germans, then not much would be said, some may even agree. But if I said it because they were Indian or Pakistani then there would be hell to pay. Why should it be different? Surely I am allowed to say that I like or dislike anybody for any reason I see fit, I could even say it is my human right to do so. Thoughts please.

[MrIncredible]

Do you really dislike a whole nation/race?

[ichkeria]

You can dislike whoever you like (if you see what I mean) but if you use your dislike, based on a person's race or indeed nationality, to discriminate against them, then you may fall foul of the law.

[TWR]

Very explosive post to ask on here Dave, as you will find out as the day / night goes on.

[flump1]

It is your prerogative who you like and dislike of course. It is your opinion, however if you attempt to foist that opinion onto anybody else, it is wrong. You may well find a lot of people don't like you.

[jake-the-peg]

despite what all the persecution complex folk on here seem to believe It's entirely leagal to believe whatever you like

That Pakistani people are horrible
That Jews should have all been exterminated in WWII
That the paedaphillia should be legal

There is no thought police you can believe what you like.

The problem comes if you decide you want to give everybody else the benefit of your wisdom.

Inciting racial or religious hatred is illegal as is behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace as is behaviour that is likely to be intimitating or offensive.

hope that helps

[flump1]

Jake the Peg...spot on !

[jno]

no, it's not illegal. Does that answer your question?

[ummmm]

We are free to think whatever we think.

[tinkerbell23]

Well done JTP x

[jd_1984]

So what is your criteria for disliking somebody due to origin?

People dont tend to hate entire nations (unless they stereotype) I have met very rude and very polite French people for example, the stereotype for the French is arrogance but personal experience has shown me this is not true.

[boxtops]

Thankfully, in this country we have freedom of speech and no Thought Police - the problem would come if you tried to incite others to agree with you. We all have our likes and dislikes and we are entitled to them.

[tinkerbell23]

I just always wonder if a french/german/indian/pakistani/oompaloompa doctor or surgeon was to save you or your families life how much you would dislike them then.

Glad im not like that. X

[TWR]

Jake, so how the hell did the one eyed hook get away with spouting his mouth off all these years, & if a white person would have said the same things as this crank has come out with, he / she would have been inside the first day.

[whiskeryron]

I am a British born white male & I can state quite categorically that I dislike some Very nasty British born white males.

WR.

[magsmay]

dave -if you say you dislike 'Aamir' as a person then that is not racist -ie That Aamir in the next office is downright rude and offensive I do not like him at all' Your dislike is not defined by his race or religion. If on the other hand you say 'I do not like that Aamir -they are all the same those ****** ' then that is racist as you are defining your dislike based on his race or religion.

//But if I said it because they were Indian or Pakistani then there would be hell to pay. Why should it be different? //

I doubt it is different Dave - many people would think that statement racist if you changed the Indian and Pakistan to German or Polish. You are indeed allowed to dislike anyone you wish based on colour or creed -its just the Law does not allow you to make your feeling known in public -and if you ever visit a foreign country and someone calls you a pommy basket (Austalia) a 'Rosbif (France) or a 'Limey Tw*t ( Caribbean ) You may realsise why

[McMouse]

//Is It Now Illegal To Dislike People Because Of Their Origins?//

I don't think so, especially if they come from Watford.

[LazyGun]

Of course it is not illegal - petty,blinkered and stupid,maybe to pre-judge an individual and dislike someone based entirely upon your own stereotypical and subjective view of their origins - but not illegal.

It is when you express such opinions, judgements and views in a public place that you might run foul of the laws that govern incitement to violence, or the promotion of hate speech based upon creed, culture or colour.

[tinkerbell23]

Same as WR i dislike alot of my fellow scots aswell! Ha! X

[dave50]

So what some of you are saying is, it's ok to think it but I am not allowed to tell anyone. Why not? I am not telling them what to think, just telling them what I think.

[hc4361]

You CAN say that you hate Indians or Pakistanis or any nationality or race.

After all, that is only admitting your own bigotry.

You CANNOT say that you hate Indians or Pakistanis, join me and we'll beat them all up, for example. You can't stand on a soapbox urging others to hate them, too.