Comic Leads Campaign Against Religion Bill

Scotsman ^ | Mon 6 Dec 2004 | Neville Dean

[swilhelm73]

I always liked Rowan Atkinson. His Blackadder series was brilliant.

[Aetius]

Clearly this law would be used to crack down on anyone who dares say any thing remotely negative about Islam and Muslims, whether in jest or in serious debate.

[sushiman]

I remember him from the Brit TV series NOT THE NINE O'CLOCK NEWS which was way back in the late 70's / early 80's . Helluva funny guy ...

[Buckeye McFrog]

well..I guess that would be it for the Dirty Vicar Sketch...wink, wink,....nudge, nudge...know what I mean?...

[My2Cents]

“There is an obvious difference between the behaviour of racist agitators who can be prosecuted under existing laws and the activities of satirists and writers who may choose to make comedy or criticism of religious belief, practices or leaders, just as they do with politics.”

A special exclusion for religion-hating comedians. Nice touch, Rowan.

[PoorMuttly]

Bl'adder !!!!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Blackadder is one of my all time favorite shows........ ;^)

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

A turnip should be eaten as God intended.

My God, that turnip looks exactly like a thingy!

[PoorMuttly]

and in a later incarnation......"Baldric, where did you get the milk in this coffee (tea?)...?!"

[Old Professer]

Madness, this caving - we're going to be left to fight this alone.

[Conspiracy Guy]

How about a nice zucchini?

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Queen Elizabeth and Nursie - OH, and how about the Infanta of Spain? ROFL............

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I was just searching for a pic of Edmund Blackadder to post to you and found the complete series sold in DVD and yelled to my Marine that I want that set for Christmas! lol

[wideawake]

Atkinson's argument is that religion is an idea rather than a racial designation and that while it is wrong to mock someone for their ancestry, it is fair game to make fun of their ideas.

The fact is, it has been open season on Christianity for sometime in Britain.

The impetus behind this law is not to shield Christians from abuse but to prevent any criticism of Islam and, more importantly, to allow Muslims to use the courts to fight Christians who are peacefully witnessing Christ to Muslims.

As a Christian I would prefer to allow others to mock my beliefs and still be allowed to talk to Muslims about Christ than to ensure that I not be offended at the cost of being legally restrained from preaching the Gospel.

[PoorMuttly]

Truly hilarious. Added a level of base reality to human history that is often lacking. This was the inspiration for my posted replies to all the glorious behavior "Otzi the Ice Man" speculation...I had him as a drunk, thieving, used arrow salesman, who got what he deserved.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Haha.......very clever

[PoorMuttly]

It was, in fact, a rather cunning plan.................

[ArmyTeach]

Westminster - this is obviously Great Britain. How will the law protect Britons against the fulminating hatred spewed from mosques? How will they monitor it? Or is that an even issue? I'm personally in favor of using our hate speech and hate crime legislation against muslim agitators wherever they are. It's on the books - it applies.

[TalBlack]

"A turnip should be eaten as God intended."

While sitting on a spike. But not TWO spikes. Two spikes would be an extravagance!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Baldric, your breath smells like it came straight from Satan's bottom