Posted on 01/25/2005 6:50:07 PM PST by Pikamax
New laws will keep freedom to insult Islam By David Charter, Chief Political Correspondent
MUSLIMS were warned by the Director of Public Prosecutions yesterday that new laws designed to combat religious hatred would not stop people from being rude about Islam. Ken Macdonald told MPs that he wanted to play down Muslim expectations to avoid a backlash against police and politicians because very few cases were likely to reach the courts.
People will remain “perfectly free to be rude or offensive” about Islam or any other other religion because in most cases the right of free speech will still prevail, Mr Macdonald said.
He added: “It is very important people understand what the law will achieve. It will stop the grossest form of conduct but it will not stop people being rude about Islam.”
Mr Macdonald was speaking at the Home Affairs Select Committee, where he also repeated his caution to ministers to keep the right to jury trial even for terrorist suspects. He told MPs of his concern that religious incitement laws, part of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill, were expected by some to stop all forms of criticism or abuse of Islam.
The proposals have also been criticised for threatening to stifle free speech. Mr Macdonald said that they would not have been possible in the United States because of the First Amendment. But in the light of existing laws on incitement to racial hatred, British courts would “set the bar very high” before convicting, he added.
Since 2001 there had been 86 referrals to the Crown Prosecution Service for racial hatred but only six prosecutions and two convictions, with one dropped and three ongoing.
Mr Macdonald added: “The main issue is managing expectations . . . Communities have said they believe it will protect them from people being rude or offensive about Islam — but you are perfectly free to be rude or offensive about any religion and the law protects you.
“The danger is that if people believe it is going to protect them from that, they will feel very let down by us.”
He added: “The police will send us the files and we will see whether prosecution will meet the appropriate tests and if it does we will prosecute . . . But you will have to meet the very high level [of proof] required.”
The Muslim Council of Britain said that it shared Mr Macdonald’s concern to explain the law carefully.
Inayat Bunglawala, a council spokesman, said: “Not just Muslims fail to understand but also the likes of Rowan Atkinson, who has said it would prevent jokes and satire. So it has been misunderstood by those who want the legislation and those who oppose it.”
I am not rude or offensive when I talk about Islam. I am merely truthful and accurate when I describe this garbage.
The first thing you need to do, Garlic, is requisition a new name.
For example, can I say that Allah is Satan...is a moon god? And can I say things like Mohammed is a goat abusing, pedophilic thief. I wouldn't want to break the law...but I do want to speak truthfully.
I mean, can I say that Islam is based lies and can I say that the 72 virgins in paradise are actually young boys?
I am confused by this article.
Would Louis Farrakhan be convicted of Racial Hatred in Britain?
I think perhaps muslims should be more concerned about the insults they do themselves..and to the rest of us with their uncivilized behavior.
The Hate Crimes Laws are nothing more than the implementation of the Values set forth in the European Socialist Manefesto. They undermine our Gurantee of Freedom of Speech by the Constitution. The Hate Crimes were put into law to do just that. We have the right to Hate just as we have the right to Love. The Constitution of the United States is slowly but surely being replaced with the Socialist Version of the European Constitution, read it for yourself:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1318061/posts?page=6#6
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1318038/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1318034/posts
http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=view&id=954
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1254190/posts
That's what upsets them the most.
I dare you to go stand outside a Mosque right here in good ole America and say such things. You will be charged with a hate crime.
Jan--you have echoed my every thought here. Your passionate commitment to the truth is inspiring. NEVER FORGET is our watchword. The day we forget is the day we dishonor those slaughtered on 9/11 and beyond.
Unfortunately, a much fate will befall me. I will most likely be murdered.
Very good point, my friend.
As long as you are not personally attacking them or advocating personal harm for them you can say what you will about their religion.
The PC clowns in this country want everything they espouse to be "protected", and any opposition to be stifled through so called "hate speech" laws.
For example, if I express my opinion about gay marriage and it opposes some gay activist's sense of what's right, he can fefer to me as "Adolf" with impunity, but I can't call him a "Fag" because that's "hate speech".
Sorry, it's all just words, deal with them and learn how to debate properly, or just shut up and walk away.
The ones "hurt" by our words are the ones who support those who HURT us with their actions - Islamofascists and their supporters are the threat to the world at large.
Hate ACTIONS far outweigh the effect of Hate SPEECH.
09/11/01: Never FORGET, Never FORGIVE, Never LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN!
A really wonderful post, Jan.
NO ONE can deny me the right to point out that islam is not the religion of peace that they claim to be.
No REAL religion, in modern times, kills innocents--or even those who renounce that 'religion'
No religion of merit has 'preachers' that order death sentences on those who show diagreement with that 'religion' or murder in cold bood others who may have facilitated or assisted the criminal prosecution of those who may have either committed murder, or other criminal acts wihin a nation.
We must be vigilant, as the failure to do so will result in yet another 9/11
Good post. But I would take it one step further...failure to kill Islam will result in "Taliban Planet".
That would be the natural progression if left unchecked---
Very well said Dark!
I will NOT allow that to happen hee---EVER!
I find Islamic barbarism, bigotry, antisemitism, and its political system that institutionalizes gender and religious apartheid HIGHLY OFFENSIVE!
I also find the way they are happy to use democracy as a tool to further their own aims, or vote in sharia in some places highly offensive as it undermines and destroys the free democratic process that they use to get power and influence in the first place.
I'm also highly offended that they dare to try and silence us when we point out thier goals, and try to warn others.
Islamic intolerance offends me. Let them choke on that.
It amazes me that the apologists would try to stifle any criticism of Islam by going the hate speech route.
According to the laws of islam, no one can do so without the penalty of death.
This religion has no belief in any freedoms except that which it grants---and that is NONE.
Very Sad
Muslims can dish it out but they can't take it.
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