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.

It’s becoming the main issue for many many voters and will be the election decider

Evidence?

You do realise the “relevant religious practice” for Islam would be Sharia law which punishes blasphemy with death? Really? You now want people killed for drawing a picture. Jesus Christ!

Look at this thread.

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.

We definitely do not want blasphemy laws.

A handful of randoms on Mumsnet is not evidence. I meant real evidence. Polling data across multiple samples, that sort of thing.

Look at the way the Sarah Everard protestors in London were treated during covid compared to the Muslim parents outside the school where the cartoon was showed. The police there were told to be strictly hands off despite the protestors breaking lockdown restrictions

Speaking of covid restrictions I see this particular MP was found to have attended a large funeral at the time, so if there was a "hands off" attitude from the police I guess it would have suited him just fine?

Edited to add link; apparently someone called the police so perhaps they weren't able to ignore it, though even tthat might be considered surprising in light of response times: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/police-called-up-100-mourners-18028561

There have always been laws circumscribing free expression where that expression goes sufficiently beyond community standards. That's what the blasphemy laws were for, ie, when Christianity formed the basis for societal norms. But those laws have scarcely been used in 50 years.

Now, human rights form that basis and (for better or for worse) the hate speech laws are the new equivalent. The MP is a bit behind the times.

We've had 50 years of free expression and I worry that the walls are closing in again.

Starmer did say no...sort of. He should have been curt and turned the guy down like a bedspread, leaving no room for ambiguity. I like Starmer in many ways, but he is a bit "steeped in human rights law," and it really shows sometimes. He also comes across as naive when it comes to optics and how these things look in the eyes of other people. This was a clear opportunity to draw a firm line in the sand, and he fudged it. Not good.

If someone wants to draw a picture of Mohammed with a penis coming out of his head, that's their prerogative. It's an unkind thing to do, but it shouldn't be illegal.

He can’t not know now how it looks though has he come out today. And said a firm no?

Starmer's a spineless fool. It'll probably be passed, then we're really in trouble.

During Covid I lived very close to the area that MP represents. There was a lot of social gatherings right the way through Covid that the police seemed to have no interest in stopping.

This is Britain, we take the piss out of everything, believe we’re going to win the World Cup, take queuing very seriously and moan about the weather.

I could have moved to Dubai in my early twenties but even with the promise of a huge salary I didn’t fancy the culture.

If individuals feel extremely passionate about Islam, and would prefer a culture based upon its principles, there’s plenty of countries that put them to the forefront of their laws and societal norms. They should probably have a word with their grandparents who left those places behind and travelled half way across the world to these soggy lands.

This MP also needs to give his head a wobble as if he’s prioritising this nonsense when I’m presuming his constituents are facing the same issues to here: fuel poverty, reliance on food banks, classroom sizes, unable to get a GP appointment, prison system at collapse… nope, you can’t be rude about certain sky fairies.

@Feelingathomenow

That's why people get so fed up when the rules don't apply to certain cultures, why is that?

Somehow it ends up more trouble than it’s worth for the police

So effectively above the law

It would represent giving in to a small group who are very vocal and seeking to control others and what they say. (and then onto what they do)

So no change there then.

I completely agree with your suspicions and your concern. This would place certain religions at the top of the hierarchy beyond criticism and scrutiny.

Two tiers. This will embed the preference given to certain groups.

Very well said.

I totally disagree with you and your patronising post. Most people do have a very clear understanding of what particular religions stand for and why their values and practices are an anathema in 21st century Britain. You can preach open-mindednesss and kindness, but what you really want is censorship that allows the dangerous practices to flourish.

Oh I don’t know, @ParkBench5 is clearly open minded and I wonder whether she would like to attend a Gnostic mass with me. Some people are a bit quesy about the cake of light instead of the rstandard Eucharist, made with honey flour, seman , menstrual blood and vaginal fluids but its good she knows that individual religious practices should be respected.

Some people could find the priest kissing the naked breasts of the priestess a bit of a shock if they’re Church of England, but well it’s all about being accepting.

Maybe after that more sex magic(k) rituals are the next logical step.

looking forward to our trip.

I see no prospect of these proposed laws being enforced with Christianity in mind. I think you need to make your point more precisely.

Starmer is a dangerous cunt whoever the fuck voted for him needs to reflect on this. He’s useless - he should just have come out and said - we will never introduce blasphemy laws. Unless of course he plans to.

Steamer has splinters in his bum from all the fences he sits on.

So what "religious leaders" do you think have a "hold over people" ?

er, most of them?