To not want blasphemy laws in the UK?

[Blueybanditbingochilli]

https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/24516089.sutton-man-61-chanted-who-f-allah-jailed/

Thug sentenced for violent disorder and threatening police, all good.

But the chanting? Maybe I’ve got the wrong end of the stick but I thought criticising religion, even crudely, is permitted in the UK and not a crime so long as it doesn’t stray into harassment or incitement of another crime.

Labour are allegedly considering new legislation around the extent to which people can criticise Islam.

AIBU to think people should have the right to criticise religion (even crudely), and that we should not revert to having blasphemy laws in the UK? I apply this to all religions, including my own, and not just Islam.

All religion is an abomination. Christianity included. However I think everyone enjoys a bit of the ceremony and traditions of it ie Christmas carols and midnight mass. It should absolutely be allowed to be criticised.

Criticism of religion is fine, hate speech, being derogatory against believers of religion, and threatening behaviour is not. So you can say you think c is silly about y religion but not their followers are c for following said religion as that's hate speech

True except it doesn't always work that way. You can say 'all Christians are idiots for their beliefs' and it will be fine but you can't say Islam (or even Judaism) is xyz even though you didn't mention their followers. Either way, it's considered Islamophobia/Anti-semitism.

I bet they wouldn't mind if it were Christianity or Judaism, I'm guessing. It's such a hypocritical double standard.

You're making stuff up in your head and then getting angry about it.

I sure hope so!

So are we being primed for some religions to have a special status in Britain now?

Who exactly thinks it's ok to say all Christians are idiots for their beliefs? I would very much think that's not an ok thing to say?!

Intelligently criticise religion all you want. Don't criticise people for belonging to that religion. It's really not rocket science.

Humdingerydoo
**
criticise religion all you want. Don't criticise people for belonging to that religion. It's really not rocket science“

Religion in the same para as science. The irony.

Indeed.

So we can’t/shouldn’t criticise Tom Cruise for his beliefs?

Unofficially is doing a lot of heavy lifting in this sentence.

It says he pleaded guilty anyway.

No, you should criticise him for his words and actions, not his beliefs.

Why is that ironic? 😳

@stinkydoveproducts "So are we being primed for some religions to have a special status in Britain now?"

No. We are being primed by "bad actors" to think that is going to happen.

Do you not think his actions stem from his beliefs though and the two are intertwined?

How about Abu Hamza? Justin Welby?

Angela Rayner being the actor?

No.

When his beliefs translate into inappropriate words and actions, then you can criticise those words and actions. You can also criticise Scientology, but should read up on it first so you know what you are actually criticising rather than just a general "I hate Scientology" without actually knowing why. There is plenty to hate about it, so shouldn't be hard to find a reason.

All this pearl clutching about Christianity and blasphemy seems historically ignorant of the fact that Britain had anti blasphemy laws and that many Christian nations and communities did until fairly recently. Any place Christiands hsve been in charge politically sect members have received preferential treatment and tax benefits and government power for membership in the favoured sect.

There are also cases of pogroms and sectarian violence throughout the world with incitement to violence on the basis of religious identity being the cause of mob violence and mass murder. The partition of India, the troubles in Ireland, the current state of Tibetan exile and of the Uighers in China all include a toxic mix of racism and religious hatred.

Depends if it crosses in to hate crime I guess. I don't agree with blasphemy laws per se, and do believe people have a right to crudely criticise religion, but not to abuse people based on their religious beliefs.

It's remarkable how a thug who has plead guilty to violent disorder and who has been jailed for violent disorder is being presented as some sort of free speech martyr, persecuted for harmless protected beliefs.

I find it quite a chilling deliberate twisting of the truth with a rather dark agenda behind it.

Blasphemy and Hate Speech are wildly different.

Blasphemy is simply taking the name in vain (usually done by people of that religious background/culture). Hate Speech is actively attacking others (for their different background).

Saying 'Good god' or 'Jesus Christ' or 'What the hell' when startled or getting bad news etc... (especially if you grew up in a christian country from that background) is clearly wildly different to taking part in race riots, attacking police and chanting 'fuck insert god' which clearly crosses into hate speech not 'blasphemy'.

The only two-teir policing is that Muslims and people of colour are treated less favourably than white people. I'm sure that's what you meant rather than a racist Tommy Robinson dog whistle.

I'm guessing the headlines are to cause anger for clicks. He was part of a mob that attacked the police. It was violent. He pled guilty to Violent Disorder and he was jailed. He could have pled not guilty and gone to court.