To want to burn one of each Religious text today?

[JustMakingAPoint]

Not because I hate or dislike them.

Not because I think burning books is good (I do not)

But because I should be able too. Because we have no Blasphemy laws and mean as it is, it’s not illegal and shouldn’t be.

And I want to do it to all of them to make the point it’s not about Islam, though it is provoked by today’s news.

This country is secular, blasphemy laws do not exist. And they shouldn’t.

if it takes every person burning a single religious book of their choosing to make the point - then I’m up for that.

I don't burn books, its so environmentally bad but I have sent plenty to recycling. Its actually not against the law to destroy a book regardless of its contents, unless(rarely) on the grounds of the historical importance of that particular copy, and then its the same as the destruction of any other artifact by any means. Actually its the INTENT which is illegal.....same as do you know who burns the most American Flags in America? Its the American Government and military organisations. This is because burning flags is considered a proper and acceptable way of disposing of flags which are too worn or damaged to be used. Its not considered correct to fly a worn or damaged flag so to prevent them being used as rags they are burned. So you destroy away OP, but not by burning, the smoke is soooooobad for the planet.

This was a few years ago. It was on the news. Presumably it'll be on YouTube somewhere but I think you're trying to suggest it's made up. It isn't.

I have to say, as a Pagan, if someone burnt copies of the mythological texts that are associated with pagan religions (The Mabinogi, Irish Mythologies, Roman, Greek, Egyptian, Norse mythologies, modern Druid books, etc) - I'd find it needlessly and unjustly prejudiced - after all, Paganism isn't causing any problems or trying to take people's rights away. But I'd also find it ridiculous and probably laugh at anyone who burned them.

Agree

Whilst you can burn whatever you like as I don’t think anyone cares what you do OP In my opinion Books should never be burnt.

Why would you wish to extinguish learning and others opinions and beliefs
Why would you want to mindlessly offend others in such a pointless act

The Nazis burned books if they didn’t agree with them
Personally I prefer to learn from books…whether I agree or disagree

and Yes we are a Christian country….

We are not a secular country though

We are Church of England

But all info is on the internet now. If we had no printed books at all anymore then people would still have access to the information.

burning books used to be a problem as once gone the information would be gone with them . That is no longer the case so it’s moot whether they exist in printed copy or not.

I agree and I think several posters on this thread are (willfully?) missing the point.
Personally, I wouldn’t want to burn any books, nobody should be prosecuted for choosing to do that though.

If your definition of 'Islamophobia' is 'concerned about calls for laws to make blasphemy against Islam a criminal offence', I am proud to be an Islamaphobe.

There are already blasphemy laws to protect Christianity. Don’t see you protesting about that.

no there isn’t as explained in the quote you responded to

It is perfectly lawful to wear a Crucifix / Cross at work

@inamarina

But the OP specified burning a copy of every religious text as a protest against blasphemy laws. Considering numerous religions, like Hinduism, Buddhism and the numerous Pagan religions, are NOT trying to limit free expression through the law, then what is the justification for burning texts associated with those religions?

Really? What do you know about me?

And what, from my post, makes you think I support blasphemy laws for any religion?

Burning a religious book in your own back garden? Crack on if the mood so takes you.

Standing outside a place of worship burning their book of choice? Clearly offensive and inciting religious hatred.

I hate when people don't put what they are talking about, very attention seeking.

because if someone personally owns a copy they surely are allowed to burn a personal possession that they own. That’s the whole debate - should another person/group be able to criminalise you for destroying someone that you own regardless of what it is?

True of course
Learning won’t be extinguished if all books are burnt

But why would people bother them, if the act of burning does not extinguish the beliefs and teachings.

as an owner of many first editions I’d personally find it a pathetic destruction of historical text

That it may be - But is it or should it be a criminal offence? Do we want our country to move towards being more authoritarian rather than stay based on the libertarian principles we have lived with for hundreds of years.

Yes and she can do that, there's no law against it. Burning it outside a mosque, like the man in the news story being referred to, is inflammatory (literally and figuratively!) and should absolutely have consequences.

The abortion clinic/praying is the best comaparison I've seen on here!

I get your point, but imagine the response OP would get if she specifically targeted any particular religion.
I agree with you that there are several religions that are not trying to limit free expression and criticism through the law, I think that’s how it should be.

There are no Blasphemy laws

Why do people keep saying this on here!

But again, should it be criminalised? Once you start criminalising things like this you move towards authoritarianism.

I find is amazing how many people who would describe themselves as liberals, advocate for more laws when that is the polar opposite of of liberalism. If you are liberal you should be advocating for as few laws as possible

I thought the news story was about it being burned outside the Turkish Embassy.
It was actually a political act

There are already blasphemy laws to protect Christianity.

In the UK? No, there aren’t.

I don't believe in burning any books. Not even 'Mein Kampf'. Where might it end?

And by the way blasphemy laws still exist in one part of the UK: Northern Ireland. And were only abolished in Scotland in 2024. Even in England and Wales, they were only abolished in 2008. Against the strong opposition of the DUP and some Tories, including Edward Leigh who is now Father of the House.