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?

Young women, and young men for that matter, don’t need to “feel safe” at university.

You can have free speech without intruding upon people’s days. Enjoy your free speech in appropriate settings or when asked for your opinions.

Free speech isn’t a free pass to be obnoxious

I was surprised at the protests - I find it weird that we have a government that is literally laundering money to its rich donors and students and protesting in their thousands about a group of probably six catholics running a stall. I guess identity politics and wrongthink are the flavour of the hour.

Exeter University does currently have an anti abortion group, one that is run by three men and one woman. It is the students, rather than the uni itself, who are protesting against them advertising to recruit new freshers.

www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/abortion-petition-letter-exeter-university-b1935005.html

www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/tensions-mount-over-exeter-university-6039467

And I can't say I blame them. Why the fuck is there a society that is concerned about what women do with their bodies, in a UK university, in 2021?! It's a no from me.

Are you sure this is banned? If so that's shocking.

It depends what they're doing. If they're not breaking the law or university regulations, then let them. I think there are times when people play the 'unsafe' card when they just don't want to hear different views.

You can have free speech without intruding upon people’s days. Enjoy your free speech in appropriate settings or when asked for your opinions.

@RealDinosaurofBarnardCastle

Do you mean people exercising their right to take a view on a particular topic?

@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.

Would you say the same for other religious fundamentalists or radicals?

Unlikely

@GrinchTastic you ok?

Nope, they shouldn’t be allowed, they should STFU - women are allowed to make autonomous decisions about their own bodies in this country, thank goodness.

FYI we also don’t like racism, homophobia or wife beating here either. Do you also believe the KKK, or ‘gay reprogramming’ groups or perhaps men who are ‘pro-violence keep women in the kitchen’ groups should be allowed too!? After all if we banned them (actually I think we have!) that would be preventing any controversial topic being discussed wouldn’t it? What a stupid question.

They are being banned because people who think the decision to not go ahead with a pregnancy should be down to them shouldn’t be allowed to voice their opinions publicly because they are deeply unpleasant views, unhelpful and go against the laws we have, for a reason, in this thankfully fairly progressive country!?

@BurntO

You can have free speech without intruding upon people’s days. Enjoy your free speech in appropriate settings or when asked for your opinions.

Free speech isn’t a free pass to be obnoxious

That's what people said to suffragettes who were protesting about votes for women.

Keep quiet. No one asked you. You can think it but don't dare say it.

I agree with you @Whstdoyouthink - this is such an old argument, why give it so much credence? A small group of people spouting outdated arguments really should make anyone feel unsafe.

And if you "feel unsafe" because someone expresses a view that disagree with then the problem lies with you.

@RealDinosaurofBarnardCastle

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.

I don't think anyone is disagreeing with that - try reading the thread.

But groups have a right to voice their legally held view. Who do you think you are to decide some people should have less of a voice than others. That's the reasoning of the far right.

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”?

Why not just join group based on faith then, instead of specifically abortion? They can voice their opinions in that group without trying to target people making difficult decisions

@PearLime have you even read the reports regarding Exeter university?? How is your comment relevant to those?

@sleeplessem

Of course it would apply to those groups, providing they obey actual laws, e.g. inciting violence, etc.

Hold on though, I’ve just read the link, this isn’t a one off speech though is it. It’s about creating a society on campus with a purpose of anti abortion. This is very far from the values and beliefs of the university.

I'm 100% pro choice and I think people have the right to peacefully express themselves. People who are pro choice can debate and refute their claims.

I hate the restrictions on free speech being imposed on us right now.

Of course it gives you the right to tell lies. Have you never lied in your life? I certainly have
Of course I have lied. There's a difference between claiming 'I only ate two Kit-Kats' and saying a picture of a 5 month old foetus is actually one at 6 weeks though.

Holding meetings and saying things that you consider a lie is not a criminal offence. Otherwise we wouldn’t have a government, would we?
No, it isn't. And there would be no issue on my part if these pro-life groups simply stuck to having meetings. My issue is with their propaganda, much of which is not based on fact. It has the potential to seriously harm women and girls.

Do you want to shut down all religions that you personally don’t agree with ?
Don't be ridiculous. People should have freedom of choice as long as others will not be harmed.

This is from the group’s “president”

Not sure why they are being defended

Let’s call “pro-lifers” what they really are: extreme right-wing misogynistic hate groups.

Universities wouldn’t allow anti-LGBT groups or racist groups a platform so they shouldn’t allow these women-hating groups either.

Of course anyone is free to think what they like and discuss it with people in private. But no public platform for hate groups.