Orthodox Christian Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel has spoken out a second time about how his stabbing attack is being used in the drive for internet censorship. By definition, he is the victim, so his beliefs on the matter are highly relevant. He has said, supporting Elon Musk's case: "However, noting our God-given right to freedom of speech and freedom of
religion, I'm not opposed to the videos remaining on social media.
"It would be of great concern if people use the attack on me to serve
their own political interests to control free speech."
"Without being exposed to any violence, any terrorist attack, or being
persecuted for just expressing their belief, the moment we oppress this
very freedom of speech and religion, we are losing the very human
identity and dignity as well."
This is the core argument to be made against the current internet censorship frenzy that has engulfed the Albo government and its administrative sector. However, I do not think a concern with human rights and dignity will matter much to the Left, since this will be viewed as a social construction, at the service of political power. Court actions may have more bite, if Albo loses.
www.theepochtimes.com/world/dont-use-church-attack-to-serve-political-interests-bishop-5636969
"Orthodox Christian Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel has issued a second public
message following the stabbing attack, emphasising that he does not want
the incident to be exploited for political purposes.
He stressed the importance of preserving the videos of the stabbing
online, arguing that freedom of speech and freedom of religion are
God-given rights.
"I do not wish for what has happened to me to be used as a way … to be a
threat to the very human freedom and freedom of religion," he said in a
video posted on the Christ The Good Shepherd Church YouTube channel on
April 24.
The comment came after eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant won
another 16-day injunction against X, forcing the social media giant to
block 65 tweets containing footage of a terror-inspired stabbing of Mr.
Emmanuel in a Western Sydney church.
Australian authorities have chastised X and pushed for harsher sanctions
to combat misinformation online.
"These laws need to get to the heart of the problem and that is the
profits they make off the algorithms they use and the data that they
use," said Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
"It's no wonder that Elon Musk, the narcissistic cowboy, thinks he can
just give the middle finger to the Australian government because for too
long, we've had little to no regulation."
However, some have raised concerns that the bill would legalise
censorship as it would exclude content produced by the government,
mainstream media, and foreign government bodies.
Free Speech A Core Part Of Human Dignity: Bishop
In the <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcvxGkOIXdg> video, Mr. Emmanuel
warned against authorities politicising the matter.
"I do acknowledged the Australian government's desire to have the videos
removed because of their graphic nature," he said, adding that he
doesn't "condone any acts of terrorism or violence."
"However, noting our God-given right to freedom of speech and freedom of
religion, I'm not opposed to the videos remaining on social media.
"It would be of great concern if people use the attack on me to serve
their own political interests to control free speech."
The bishop argued that freedom of speech and freedom of religion is at
the core of "human dignity and human identity" regardless of one's
faith, religious background, race, colour, and gender.
"Without being exposed to any violence, any terrorist attack, or being
persecuted for just expressing their belief, the moment we oppress this
very freedom of speech and religion, we are losing the very human
identity and dignity as well," he said.
In a tribute to Anzac Day, the bishop also honoured the sacrifices made
by soldiers who gave their lives for Australia and the very identity of
Australia. He described himself as "a very proud Aussie."
"We salute those warriors who sacrificed for the freedom of speech and
the freedom of religion always given to that human," he said."