Facebook Censors Free Speech On "Gay Loonie"

And the aftermath of my previous post. Once again, Facebook censors a Catholic/conservative viewpoint!

From Everyday For Life Canada

Facebook censorship

Recently we posted an article titled, "Canadian values sink to a new low" about the Canadian government issuing a new dollar coin, the "Gay Loonie." We asked our readers to sign a petition opposing a coin that pushes the celebration of the LGTBQ lifestyle. Facebook has decided to ban the CitizenGo posting, and one must conclude that they consider it to be "hate speech." So, it seems that any view that questions the coin is to be censored. This is wrong. It's undemocratic and an infringement on Canadians' right to free speech. Here's how CitzenGo describes the ban:

We just got our very first Facebook post ban.

Apparently it is 'hate speech' to disagree with the new design of our one dollar coin on religious grounds. Many Christians (including we here at CitizenGO) are deeply and genuinely offended, and sincerely believe the new design is an attack against God.

We are not saying anyone should hate, harm, or harass any particular person or group of people. In fact, we advocate "speaking the truth in love" to one and all.

However, we are saying it is wrong for the Canadian government (led by Mr. Trudeau) to push and promote the LGBT lifestyle on everyone else, especially in a sexuality-themed coin design that every Canadian will be forced to handle.

We have asked for a review of the decision to ban our post, and are awaiting Facebook's decision.

This is what the CitizensGo petition states:

Canadian Coins Should Not Promote Division

Dear Royal Canadian Mint,

I am very upset over the planned release of a pro-homosexual one dollar coin later this year. I do not want a "gay" lonnie.

When Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau decriminalized homosexual acts in 1969, he famously said, "there's no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation." In other words, people's private sexual practices should stay private, and the government should keep out. If that is the case, then why are you promoting certain sexual practices on Canada's official coinage? It is like the government is opening up the doors of certain bedrooms and inviting everyone in to watch. This is unacceptable and un-Canadian.

Just because homosexual acts have been legalized, that does not mean they should be celebrated or commemorated. Divorce is also legal - many restrictions on divorce were lifted in 1969, but that does not call for the minting of a "pro-divorce" one dollar coin. Abortion laws were also liberated in 1969, but that does not mean there should be a "pro-abortion" loonie.

There are many things that are perfectly legal in Canada, which are not only questionable but also immoral. The government has chosen to step out of the debate on these issues and has left it up to ordinary citizens to decide. By minting a coin to celebrate homosexuality, the government is not only stepping back into the debate, but it is taking a strong stand on one side. This is sure to alienate and divide many people. This is not the function of our national coinage!

The fact is that many religious Canadians consider homosexual acts to be sinful - a serious offence to God. Also, numerous non-religious Canadians feel homosexual acts are unnatural or unhealthy - at odds with normal human biological and reproductive functions. Many will feel uncomfortable using or carrying these coins. Some will believe they must reject them entirely. This is sure to widen the current rift in Canadian society and may promote discrimination against traditionally-minded people.

Therefore, I am asking you not to mint a "gay" loonie in 2019. The government must withdraw its plans for any design that celebrates homosexual acts. I do not want homosexuality forced upon me and my country.

What is "hateful" with the above statement? It merely advances an opposing point of view about the coin. By censoring alternative positions from the public square is to control what people think and do. This is a violation of democratic values. We believe that Facebook has made a terrible mistake. They have taken one side of the issue by shutting down debate. This is not the function of social media. It's through debate and elections that Canadians should decide public policies and laws, not Facebook. We ask that Facebook immediately re-consider its horrible decision to ban the CtizenGo post and stop acting as public censor.

Under Community Standards Facebook states:

Our mission is all about embracing diverse views. We err on the side of allowing content, even when some find it objectionable, unless removing that content can prevent a specific harm. Moreover, at times we will allow content that might otherwise violate our standards if we feel that it is newsworthy, significant, or important to the public interest. We do this only after weighing the public interest value of the content against the risk of real-world harm.

Facebook cannot censor debate and claim that it's "embracing diverse views." So, let's "err on the side of allowing content" and re-post the CitizeGo entry. The decision is in the public interest and for the protection of free speech in a democracy. Facebook do the right thing: re-post the entry now. We are waiting.

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