154: Is Free Speech Under Attack?

Summer is over and school is back in session, but not for Enoch Burke. Burke is a Christian who also happens to be a teacher in Westmeath, Ireland. He was fired from his job recently because he refused to endorse or affirm transgenderism. Because he refused to address students by their trans names or employ third person pronouns, he was suspended, and then after an investigation he was fired. Because he continued to show up for work after he was fired, he was eventually given a 400-day prison sentence for contempt of court. He had not been accused at any point of abusing students in any way. He had not been accused of offering inadequate instruction as a teacher. Nevertheless, Burke was told that his presence was “stressful” for students and staff and he posed a health and safety risk to the population of the school. And by the way, he was also fined €200,000. Can we please talk about free speech? Timon Cline, “School’s out for ‘blasphemers,’” September 4, 2024. Andrew T. Walker, “Why free speech should be a Christian priority,” September 4, 2024. Erin Hawley, “Censoring the truth,” August 29, 2024.