Blasphemy Laws

[User37482]

Tahir Ali (Labour) got up in parliament and asked Starmer

'to prohibit the desecration of all religious texts and the prophets of the Abrahamic religions'.

Just the Abrahamic religions of course no mention of the Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, Taoism etc etc

AIBU to think most people absolutely do not want want blasphemy laws in the UK and would like to retain the right to say what they would like about any religion.

I don’t even know what a desecration of a prophet is? i’m going to assume it’s taking the piss out of one.

There’s over 2500 Gods out there that someone worships. Gonna be a bit difficult to police blasphemy across that wide spectrum or is it only certain Gods that are more important?

What said it all for me is that this questioner wasn't jeered at by all the mps (as he would have been if he'd been a Christian). For me it showed what a load of craven cowards they all are and how they won't stand up for free speech one of the former cornerstones of our culture. Although we already know Labour in particular don't respect free speech all parties would and will throw us all under a bus like that poor autistic boy when push comes to shove. Worrying times particularly for our children.

What would constitute blasphemy?

Probably whatever the listener or reader believes it to be

FWIW, while fully respecting individual choice I object strongly to religion - any religion - influencing public policy at all, but the giveaway here is that he's only asking this for the Abrahamic religions

Why? If one deserves protection why wouldn't all the others?

So I just looked this up, and the only 'news' website going with 'Starmer doesn't rule out blasphemy laws' is GB News. And if you read beyond the headline, it's clear that No. 10 has in fact ruled out new blasphemy laws. Storm. Teacup. With a mad majority, some MPs are going to feel emboldened to throw out stupid stuff. Someone could of course throw out a Private Member's Bill on the subject - I don't see it getting any kind of traction.

Oh we all know which side of the bread Labour butter. Yes I doubt they will come directly out with it now, but it’s clear two tier kier is more sympathetic to certain positions and we need to remain vigilant on exactly what he is doing to favour certain groups over others, especially given some of the MPs in his party

'Two tier Keir'? We're still on about that bullshit?

Actually by referring to “Abrahamic prophets” Mr Ali was asking for it only in relation to Islam,

Yep, it’s stuck because it keeps being relevant.

It's really not, though. I mean, I could refer to anyone using 'Two Tier Keir' as 'Hate Speech Hilda' because they seem to think inciting people to set buildings with people inside is perfectly OK.

It's not even close to being the same thing as this lunacy from one religious person representing a majority Islamic constituency.

And Mr Ali is a twat, that we can agree on.

Anti-blasphemy laws would need to apply to all religions in the interests of equality and diversity, including Jedism and Pastafarianism. I hope the police are given sufficient resources for all the investigations they will need to do.

They're going to have a job arresting all the people who keep shouting out JFCA! Including those who've stubbed their toes 🙈

I'm confused now, Feelingathomenow; surely it's called Abrahamic because Judaism, Islam and Christianity all came down through him - though admittedly by different routes?

Unless you meant he's only really interested in Islam, in which case the point still stands: if that's protected (and personally I don't believe it should be) why not all the other non Abrahamic religions?

@DemonicCaveMaggot

I wouldn’t envisage the police requiring many additional resources to deal with blasphemy offences. Much of the investigation and sentencing could be done within communities by community leaders and elders from the relevant faiths.

Not every criticism of religion should be criminalised, but action should be taken where these are offensive, hurtful or hateful. Faith leaders and elders based within communities should have the right to determine which offences need to be punished and how best to encourage community cohesion.

I could foresee education and training (such as attending a church or mosque service) being used to handle minor misunderstandings or insensitivities. However, more egregious issues such as depictions of Muhammad or burning a bible would need more severe sentences, potentially using relevant religious practices.

I'm Christian and blasphemy offends me but I would be massively anti this in law! We already have protection against hate it discrimination for religious people under the equality act that is all we need. a blasphemy law would be impingement of free speech and that is not a country I want to live in

What religious practices did you have in mind?

Not that I think any of your ideas are anything other than monstrous and deluded, obviously.

Yes exactly

JC is constantly thrown around casually

Wonder what would happen if the same happened about another religious figure

Whole act needs quashing

I think my comments were in response to someone else, park bench though I probably hit quote from your reply. I agree with your points.

Community leaders could use principles from their religion to help determine appropriate punishments. For example, sharia law refers to confiscation of property as a potential consequence of blasphemy.

Thanks for highlighting this op.
I fully believe we need to keep moving away from religion as a world.
We need to get a point of global liberation where people can "choose" not have this enforced brain washing.

Confiscating of property from who? The people who don't believe in the silly religion?

Right, so that would be legalising theft then. I'm not sure whether you're serious or satirical here - it's hard to believe someone could be so tone deaf.

Then there is the indisputable fact that by making someone subject to the rules of a religion they are not a part of, you are essentially ending freedom of religion in the UK.

I assume you’re taking the piss?

Oh do come off it! A picture of Mohammed! And as there are some nutters who would be happy to kill a person for drawing it, I really think you have lost the plot.

I wouldn’t envisage the police requiring many additional resources to deal with blasphemy offences. Much of the investigation and sentencing could be done within communities by community leaders and elders from the relevant faiths

What - kangaroo courts handing out sentences and run by "officials" whose only accountability is to their own community?
Doubtless it would appeal to some but this really isn't the way the UK justice system is run and nor should it be