One reader has objected to the Naw-Ruz messages to the UK Baha’i community from Prime Minister Blair and Leader of the Opposition David Cameron MP. Fair enough!

So he posted a comment that was gratuitously derogatory to both these gentleman. Not fair enough!

I deleted the comment, so the same reader posted another comment accusing me of double standards. I think he also accused me of lacking the courage to post his first comment. I didn’t post this second comment comment either.

A few reflections on this episode:

1. I support freedom of speech - otherwise I would not write this blog and I would not read other blogs and sometimes leave comments on them.

2. This blog is a personal diary - as the blog’s strapline makes clear. However, I open it to comments. It’s confirming to know that someone is reading and cares enough to leave a comment. It’s in the spirit of the blogosphere, and there’s always the hope of learning from the comments - as I have done on a number of occasions.

3. I’m happy to allow comments that disagree with what I’ve written, especially if they are well written, well reasoned, witty or amusing.

4. But, because the blog is personal, I’m free to accept or reject comments as I choose without giving any reasons.

5. I don’t accept comments that are gratuitously insulting to me or to others. This has nothing to do with denying freedom of speech. Anyone can set up a blog, write to the press, write and publish a book, stand on a street corner and shout. I’m not preventing people from expressing their views in the myriad outlets that now exist. Nor has it anything to do with lacking courage to allow comments that disagree with my viewpoint. I just don’t choose to be insulted for no good reason on my own blog.

The Baha’i writings are very clear about the importance of freedom of speech and about the power of utterance. They are also clear about the need for moderation in speech and action.

Baha’u'llah warns us that “the tongue is a smouldering fire, and excess of speech a deadly poison”. “Material fire consumeth the body,” He says in elaborating the point, “whereas the fire of the tongue devoureth both heart and soul. The force of the former lasteth but for a time, whilst the effects of the latter endureth a century.” In tracing the framework of free speech, He again advises “moderation”. “Human utterance is an essence which aspireth to exert its influence and needeth moderation”, He states, adding, “As to its influence, this is conditional upon refinement which in turn is dependent upon hearts which are detached and pure. As to its moderation, this hath to be combined with tact and wisdom as prescribed in the Holy Scriptures and Tablets.” [Universal House of Justice, Individual Rights and Freedoms in the World Order of Baha'u'llah, 29 December 1988

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