Posted on 02/01/2006 7:00:39 AM PST by Kurt_Hectic
Norway needs anti-blasphemy regulations to protect minorities against derisive and hateful expression, says lawyer Abid Q Raja.
"The point is not to restrict freedom of speech but to give it direction so that weak groups do not feel insulted or mocked. If we do nothing the differences within Norwegian society will increase in the future," Raja told newspaper Dagsavisen.
Raja's statement comes after the new wave of controversy surrounding caricatures of the prophet Mohammed, first published in Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten last September and now recently in the Norwegian Christian weekly Magazinet.
Raja said he perceives the caricatures as a clear insult of Muslims and their faith.
"I would like a new blasphemy regulation that defines limits for what type of offensive expression shall be allowed towards society's minorities," Raja said.
Professor of Public Law Eivind Smith at the University of Oslo is skeptical but believes it is high time to discuss views of blasphemy.
Norwegian law already forbids threats and insults to person on the background of their skin color, nationality, outlook on life or sexual preference. Smith believes it is important than any future tightening of the law favors human rights rather than religion.
"The point is to protect people against insult. God should be able to take care of himself," Smith told Dagsavisen.
Related stories: Danish Mohammed cartoons circulate - 01.02.2006
Can one commit blasphemy if one is not a believer? Such that if one does not believe Allah is the one true God, sacred, etc. How can it be blasphemy?
A contemptuous or profane act, utterance, or writing concerning God or a sacred entity.
The act of claiming for oneself the attributes and rights of God.
PC is the Endangered Species Act for the primitive. Islam at best belongs in a museum.
I am pretty reluctant to support limitations on free speech and was feeling no sympathy for this idea....until I got to the sentence above.
Since Norwegians have made the idiotic P.C. move of protecting other groups from mocking words, the Muslims seems to me to have a reasonable case (to petition for the complete end of individual liberty of thought and conscience).
OK - so far, so good...
but to give it direction so that weak groups do not feel insulted or mocked.
D'OH! I knew there was a catch! There always is.
And I love how he refers to his group as "weak" and in need of special protection so they don't "feel insulted or mocked." I call upon all to mock away!
Ain't that the truth.
Sorry, there's no room for a "blasphemy regulation" in any free country.
Britain has (ancient) blasphemy laws. I know Im setting myself up for a mocking comeback there but the point is theyre never used and they should be abolished.
I should be able to say That meal was good enough for Jehova!
Norway should stear clear of this idea. Can they swallow their pride and admit their Danish neighbours have it right?
"Norwegian Muslims want blasphemy law"?
"Norwegian law already forbids threats and insults to person on the background of their skin color, nationality, outlook on life or sexual preference"
A Norwegian joke book cant be very long.
So, we're protecting people from insults now? Them folks out there in Norway must be a sensitive lot. Of course we already know the muslims are crybabies.
Here it comes...the only "blasphemy" that will become illegal is "blasphemy" against Islam.
So today the Euros are looking longingly at free speech in their rear view mirrors.
The doctrine which from the very first origin of religious dissensions, has been held by all bigots of all sects, when condensed into a few words, and stripped of rhetorical disguise, is simply this: I am in the right and you are in the wrong. When you are the stronger you ought to tolerate me; for it is your duty to tolerate truth. But when I am the stronger I shall persecute you; for it is my duty to persecute error. Macaulay, Sir James Mackintosh.
I could start my own religion and say my "god" (I'm going to call my new deity the Mighty Zot in honor of the pagan Zot worshipers on FReep) has "revealed messages" to me thru "angels."
The latest message commands me and my "followers" to "cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve [and] strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip, And slay them wherever ye catch them and fight them on until there is no more Tumult or oppression" and preach "there is no God but the Mighty Zot and USF is his messenger" as I insult religions my god does not like and draw caricatures of one or two of their founders (hmmm, shall we start with one who lived in the 7th century first) in my "holy book."
Of course I would publish and disseminate this book, my "religious texts" complete with its caricatures and cartoons all over dhimmiland, oops, I mean Norway. All protected by this "blasphemy law" of course.
And then, we would be back to where we started from, unless of course, they decide to abolish similar texts in the Koran, hadeeths and writings of islamic scholars as well...
For now, I'm off to invest some religious beer drinking ceremonies which will come in useful later... it pleases the Mighty Zot.
I was very glad to see that the just Brits turned down a sort of modern version of the blasphemy law, btw, which was of course promoted by Muslims.
One thing the Muslims might consider doing if they don't want to be the object of jokes and negative comments is to refrain from cutting off people's heads, blowing up buildings full of innocent civilians, stoning women to death - well, you get the general idea!
"The point is not to restrict freedom of speech"
OH yes it is! Do they think we are stupid?
CP, CP, CP! You forgot the traditional honorific!!! Let me fix it for you.
the murderous, child molesting, slave owning, slave girl raping, false profit of evil, mohammad (piss be upon him) can kiss my ass!
There. Much better.
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