To think universities should allow “pro-life” groups?

[Mellowfruitfulnessy]

There’s been a few incidents in the news of universities saying that “pro life” groups should be banned because they make women in campus feel “unsafe”.

There was a protest in Exeter today and there’s been similar rumblings elsewhere.

This seems odd to me: it’s fairly standard teaching in Catholicism and the students in the group largely seem to be Christian / non-UK students. Unis are saying these groups are not “inclusive” but if mainstream religious thinking isn’t allowed, isn’t this excluding free speech? Is it really making women feel “unsafe”?

AIBU to say that pro life groups should be allowed on campuses as part of free speech/thinking/religious freedom?

Oh, and let women decide if they want the abortion. Not the pro-life groups demanding protection of life they will not be responsible for.

I can’t see abortion activists doing their rounds anywhere just to make it even.

Were they banned? They were always around at my university.

I guess it’s then down to individual unis to decide what is and isn’t allowed.

If views are not hate speech but are allowed, where does the uni know how to draw those boundaries?

Surely this is why all radfem views are so easily banned?

Of course they should be allowed.

I am strongly pro-choice - and pro freedoms of speech. As long as they aren’t harassing anyone, why not. Ideas need to be discussed - including wrong ones.

They absolutely should be allowed on university campuses, and I’m as pro-choice as it comes. As should any student group, so long as they behave within the law.

This censoriousness needs to stop.

It's not the groups existence that's the problem, it's the fact that they tend to use inflammatory language and intimidation. If students become pregnant unplanned it's a very difficult and worrying time, the last thing they need is pro life groups with American propaganda.

It's also in the teachings of Catholicism and other Christian religions that homosexuality is wrong. Should universities allow anti LGBT societies? Their belief is connected to their religion in both cases but it is harmful to others. Outside of universities you will find huge amounts of misinformation, & aggressive targeting of vulnerable women amongst pro life groups. They operate by creating climates of fear and shame & that has no place in a student community.

@LibrariesGiveUsPower45321

It really depends what you mean. If you mean groups of Catholics gathering together who all happen to be pro life then of course that should be allowed.

If you mean groups that plot and plan to target women seeking medical services then no of course not.

Bingo

Unfortunately they resemble extremists.

I’m thankful we’re in the UK and not in Texas

@Mellowfruitfulnessy

I guess it’s then down to individual unis to decide what is and isn’t allowed.

If views are not hate speech but are allowed, where does the uni know how to draw those boundaries?

Surely this is why all radfem views are so easily banned?

No university should be refusing groups a platform to debate their legally held views. Very soon doing so will be illegal. Universities are places for robust debate, not echo chambers of the left wing.

Bullying is clearly not allowed, nor is anything that incites hatred and there is a duty under Prevent not to allow platforms to certain groups.

I’m surprised that most people think IABU. I don’t see how you can want this banned from campuses but not radfem/GC groups. Surely they are two sides of the same thing I.e. a position on ideology that should be openly discussed and debated?

I don’t think it’s appropriate to have protestors telling woman what they should and shouldn’t do with their bodies, nope, fuck off.

When will the world get bored of having so many opinions on woman’s bodies.

@RobertaFirmino

Freedom of speech does not give you the right to gather in order to bully others

Absolutely. It doesn't give you the right to tell lies either.

Of course it gives you the right to tell lies. Have you never lied in your life? I certainly have.

Holding meetings and saying things that you consider a lie is not a criminal offence. Otherwise we wouldn’t have a government, would we?

Do you want to shut down all religions that you personally don’t agree with ?

I am pro-choice personally. I think the pro life position is outdated nonsense. But the slightest bit of reasoned debate got me there, not saying “these views should not be voiced because it makes women unsafe”

@Mellowfruitfulnessy

Because your post was about pro life, not radfem. Are you dim

We’re ALL ‘pro-life’ - let’s call them what they really are which is ‘anti abortion’ - interesting how many of these are run by men.

The attack on women’s rights over their own bodies is terrifying.

Free speech means that sometimes people will express opinions you don't like.

There is nothing wrong with a peaceful protest. I think pro- lifers have a right to protest and express their views.

If they're actively doing more than that to make women feel unsafe, then yeah they should absolutely be prevented. But I bet they weren't... was probably like 4 catholic's lol.

@BurntO

I don’t think it’s appropriate to have protestors telling woman what they should and shouldn’t do with their bodies, nope, fuck off.

When will the world get bored of having so many opinions on woman’s bodies.

Agreed

It depends how the group they are banning, go about it. There is an enormous difference between getting rid of a cluster of cells at 6 weeks compared to a formed child at 23 weeks.

@Thekormachameleon

Pro life is not 'a fairly innocuous' ideology and has no right to a space where young women should feel safe

This.

Of course they should be allowed. And not all pro life people protest outside abortion clinics.

@IM0GEN

Of course they should be allowed - we have freedom of speech in this country. It’s appalling that some people are trying to censor views that differ from their own.

This and I am not 'pro life'. Very worrying that the voting is split and not massively in favour of the right to free speech. It shows the Government is right to be concerned about this issue at Universities.

My experience of them is middle aged and older MEN outside an abortion clinic with vile placards intimidating women who were exercising their right to legal, safe termination.

Yeap I agree with PP let’s call then anti abortion

Just seems so old fashioned. Let’s debate whether women should work or be allowed to do boxing???!! Of course we wouldn’t do why abortion

That ship has sailed what’s the point

@DrSbaitso we don’t live in the US - there are no Amendments here.

Private companies or institutions are not obliged to give a “platform” to anyone - though they are subject to equality legislation.

Universities and other charities or public institutions are in a very slightly different position. They normally have some public duty or public sector equality duties.

Nevertheless, don’t you think especially public institutions have a moral duty to uphold principles of freedom of speech? And equality law. This might, for example, include bot discriminating against religious groups with lawful beliefs you just don’t happen to like (like Catholics, for example); or political societies and movements.

Otherwise, when times change and someone in power decides they don’t like your beliefs or opinions, how can your beliefs be protected and respected?

It is exceptionally short sighted, and the mark of the very inexperienced person, not to understand that one day you might be the one with the opinions people want to ban. Whatever their shortcomings, those who grew up in the long shadow of the postwar understood this extremely well.