I like The US too Joe. In California, a similar law applies. We have free speech in The UK, just as you do. We don't allow incitement to hatred though, just as you don't.

We also treat religion differently to everything else and I am ashamed to say our law does allow aspects of bigotry when it is in the name of a recognised religion. That stain on our laws however does not go as far as allowing to treat people differently on the basis of sexual orientation, other than gay Church of England vicars cannot get married and Church of England premises cannot conduct marriage between gay couples.

Those two aspects are presently subject to test cases to be conducted under human rights criteria though, and the government, when passing the legislation knew that their compromise to get gay marriage passed has a shelf life.

There is no coercion in The UK. Just laws to protect people from discrimination.

Meanwhile, as two of your pilgrim father's come from very close to me, I notice that they left here not because they were being persecuted but because they weren't being allowed to persecute others. Bill Bryson wrote an interesting account of it...

Many Christians here moan that they are being persecuted when they are prevented from persecuting. If you want, I'll fund another Mayflower and you are welcome to the buggers.