Posted on 12/08/2004 2:42:43 PM PST by swilhelm73
Blackadder star Rowan Atkinson will lead a coalition of comedians, writers and academics today in opposition to a new Government Bill designed to punish extremists who incite religious hatred.
The group, which also includes MPs and representatives of the National Secular Society, is launching a campaign against elements of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill.
The Bill, due for its second reading this week, will create a new offence of incitement to religious hatred to protect faith groups – particularly Muslims – from hate attacks.
But the group believe that there are already enough laws to deal with extremists who incite violence or religious hatred.
They warn that the Bill risks undermining free speech, the freedom of satirists, comedians and writers, and legitimate discussion about religion and religious practices.
Atkinson will be joined for the launch of the campaign in Westminster this evening by columnist Joan Smith, human rights lawyer Anthony Lester QC and speakers from Christian groups the Barnabas Fund and the Lawyer’s Christian Fellowship.
Atkinson said: “Freedom of expression must be protected for artists and entertainers and we must not accept a bar on the lampooning of religion and religious leaders.
“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.”
Liberal Democrat MP Dr Evan Harris, who is chairing tonight’s meeting, said: “There is a great deal of concern about these proposals across political parties.
“There are already enough laws to deal with incitement to violence and to deal with disorderly behaviour based on religious grounds, but it is essential that we maintain free speech in discussing and criticising religious ideas, doctrines and practices.”
Paul Cook, advocate manager of the Barnabas Fund, added: “There is a real danger that this law could be used by extremists to silence organisations like ourselves from highlighting the persecution of Christians and other human rights abuses which occur within some religious communities.”
But a Home Office spokeswoman defended the Bill, insisting it would not interfere with the right to free speech.
She said: “There is a clear difference between criticism of a religion and the act of inciting hatred against members of a religious group.
“The incitement offences have a high criminal threshold and prosecutions require the consent of the Attorney General.
“There has not been a widespread sense that the existing offence has interfered with free speech and we are confident that an offence of incitement to religious hatred will not do so either.”
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.
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 ...
well..I guess that would be it for the Dirty Vicar Sketch...wink, wink,....nudge, nudge...know what I mean?...
A special exclusion for religion-hating comedians. Nice touch, Rowan.
Bl'adder !!!!
Blackadder is one of my all time favorite shows........ ;^)
My God, that turnip looks exactly like a thingy!
and in a later incarnation......"Baldric, where did you get the milk in this coffee (tea?)...?!"
Madness, this caving - we're going to be left to fight this alone.
Queen Elizabeth and Nursie - OH, and how about the Infanta of Spain? ROFL............
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
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.
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.
Haha.......very clever
It was, in fact, a rather cunning plan.................
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.
"A turnip should be eaten as God intended."
While sitting on a spike. But not TWO spikes. Two spikes would be an extravagance!
Baldric, your breath smells like it came straight from Satan's bottom
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