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Tokyodreamer
SFN Regular
USA
1447 Posts |
 Posted - 10/17/2001 : 07:09:47
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Letter from Rowan Atkinson about a proposed law in the UK:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,59-2001361433,00.html
Scary...
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And if rain brings winds of change
let it rain on us forever.
I have no doubt from what I've seen
that I have never wanted more.
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PhDreamer
SFN Regular
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2001 : 08:51:52 [Permalink]
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Not a lot of background though. Do you have anything that describes the actual law in detail? I find it curious that the British would bother with something like this since it seems like the state religion is just a formality, at least from the limited contact I have had with socially attentive Britons.
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Donnie B.
Skeptic Friend
417 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2001 : 11:11:00 [Permalink]
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This article gives some details about the proposed anti-terrorism laws, with a mention of "extending the law against incitement to include religious hatred":
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,1-2001360446,00.html
This article quotes various MPs, giving their reactions to the proposals:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,11-2001361010,00.html
I haven't found any links to the text of the laws themselves. However, based on the admittedly limited details above, it seems unlikely that a comedian would be prosecuted for incitement to religious hatred; but that would depend on the court's interpretation.
-- Donnie B.
Brian: "No, no! You have to think for yourselves!" Crowd: "Yes! We have to think for ourselves!" |
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PhDreamer
SFN Regular
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2001 : 18:48:26 [Permalink]
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Seems like they are proposing that religion be used as a hate-crime qualifier. A protected class, equivalent to minorities, women, elderly, if you will. I'm sure the intention is to help prevent violence against those from the Middle East or those who physically resemble Middle Easterners. Tough to tell what the scope of the law will be, though.
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2001 : 21:28:40 [Permalink]
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quote:
I find it curious that the British would bother with something like this since it seems like the state religion is just a formality, at least from the limited contact I have had with socially attentive Britons.
That's what I've heard too. But I'm going to write to my on line friend in England whom I trust very much, see what he has to say.
“And the search goes on for the Ayatollah Khomeini's contact lens”?
ROFLOL
Rap Crap is to music what Paint by Numbers is to art.
Edited by - snake on 10/17/2001 21:29:53 |
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ZaphodBeeblebrox
Skeptic Friend
USA
117 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2001 : 23:29:07 [Permalink]
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It sounds a lot like some of the so-called "Safety Laws", in the US.
Some good, most Bad.
All, a Pain in the ASS. BTW, my signature, is NOW looking very, Apropos, to say the Least.
If you Ignore Your Rights, they WILL, go away. |
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Slater
SFN Regular
USA
1668 Posts |
Posted - 10/18/2001 : 08:41:42 [Permalink]
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quote:
It sounds a lot like some of the so-called "Safety Laws", in the US.
Actually it's a "blasphemy law" that's been tacked on to an anti-terrorism bill.
The Fundis tried to get a similar bill passed in the US about 5 years back but failed.
Blasphemy laws were very common in Europe until the 19 century.They are the antithesis of both freedom of religion and speech.
This is the very thing that Hat Monster said England was free of in "Why do you Yanks put up with them". Apparently the Black Adder knows of "cunning plans" that the Hat Monster does not.
NO ONE EXPECTS THE ENGLISH INQUISITION
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PhDreamer
SFN Regular
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - 10/18/2001 : 12:21:15 [Permalink]
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quote:
quote:
It sounds a lot like some of the so-called "Safety Laws", in the US.
Actually it's a "blasphemy law" that's been tacked on to an anti-terrorism bill.
The Fundis tried to get a similar bill passed in the US about 5 years back but failed.
Blasphemy laws were very common in Europe until the 19 century.They are the antithesis of both freedom of religion and speech.
Perhaps, but this isn't apparent from the articles. It certainly looks more like hate crime legislation from my reading. That's why I'm curious to see the text of the proposal, or at least a fair summary.
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