Seems like the Google we all love has some very one-sided rules when it comes to advertizing. While Google accepts ads in support of abortion, they don’t allow “abortion and religion-related content.” This is from the UK’s Daily Mail:
[Google's] Dublin-based advertising team replied: “At this time, Google policy does not permit the advertisement of websites that contain ‘abortion and religion-related content’.”
Google does, however, accept adverts for abortion clinics, secular pro-abortion sites and secularist sites which attack religion.
The Christian Institute has now started legal proceedings against Google on the grounds that it is infringing the Equality Act 2006 by discriminating against Christian groups.
It is seeking damages, costs and the permission to publish its advertisement.
Mike Judge, Christian Institute spokesman, said: “For many people, Google is the doorway to the internet.
“If there is to be a free exchange of ideas then Google cannot give special free speech rights to secular groups whilst censoring religious views.
“To say that religious sites with material on abortion are ‘unacceptable content’ (while) advertising pornography is ridiculous.”
Funny how making this ad hoc connection to religion only seems to muzzle one side– the pro-life side (how many religions do you know that would advertize in support of abortion?). Google’s values aren’t nearly as good as their search engine.
Strange that when I search for a religious-based subject I see ads for religion-based sites.
A search for “Expelled” came up with an ad for http://www.evolvedself.com/sos
A search for “Intelligent Design” came up with ads for DarwinConspiracy.com, http://www.ScienceFindsGod.com, and http://www.y-Origins.com all pro-ID sites.
A search for “Jesus Christ” came up with ads for http://www.the-end.com, http://www.mormon.org, http://www.Jesus2020.com, http://www.EveryStudent.com, http://www.hallvworthington.com, and http://www.prophecynewswatch.com
All these are religious themed websites.
It would appear that the claim that Google censors religious content is not supported by reality.
One more. A search for “abortion” turned up three ads. Two for abortion providers and one for an anti-abortion website: http://www.PleaseThinkAgain.com While the anti-abortion site was not overtly religious there were bits of religion in there such as the biblical quote on the home page: “Suffer the little children to come unto Me and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven”
Kendenny,
The prohibition is not against religion alone, but against those who use religion to oppose abortion.
Frank