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
They know we're not stupid. That's why they try to speak our language when defending their sick society. They say they're defending free speech (good), but in the same breath wish to give it "direction" (i.e., censorship) (bad). They say they're standing up for honor and morals (good), but to them it means murdering their sisters and daughters for wrongly perceived sexual activity (bad). They claim to be for peace (good), which to them means only Muslims exist (bad). Etc., ad nauseum.
At least they keep us on our toes by forcing us to read between the lines every time their self-appointed leaders or spokesmen open their mouths. Cultural conservatives, particularly, need to be careful every time a mullah or imam complains about declining morals, promiscuity, or incivility. They mean something WAY further back than 1950s Americana. I'm in the far-from-culturally-conservative minority on FR, but I still take English words coming from Islamic vocal chords with a grain of salt.
Make that many grains.
Though shalt not take the fjord's name in vain.
WHEN ARE WE GOING TO SAY, ENOUGH!
I like it!
Norwegians are a joke. In fifty years they'll be extinct and Norway will be more Muslim than Saudi Arabia.
A joke calling a joke a joke is nothing more then a joke.
Norwegian Muslims! Uffda! I never thought I'd live to see the day that there was such a thing.
I have a Norwegian joke book!
Religous beer drinking?
All hail Lord Zot! (the first round is on USF!)
Norwegian jokes are usually about Sven, Ole, Lena, and their friends.
For example:
Ole and Lena on their honeymoon trip
Ole and Lena got married. On their honeymoon trip they were nearing Minneapolis when Ole put his hand on Lena's knee. Giggling, Lena said, "Ole, you can go a little farther now if ya vant to"... so Ole drove to Duluth.
Norwegians love to insult one another, and also their Swedish neighbors.
Muslims don't belong in Norway because they have no sense of humor.
As near as I could get from the translation engine.
All the smart Norwegians left your country over 150 years ago to come here. Your grand kids will likely bow to Mecca seven times a day.
Lets not do THIS all over again!!!
Zeus still sucks! ;oP
Groovy.. Islam and Qu'ran are blasphemy..
Not to speak of most of Sharia Law is illegal in most countrys..
Time for a serious dicussion..
Any volunteers?
Spoil sport. ;-)
Give me one good reason why not, kufr.
I disagree, I am deadly serious, infidel.
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