Olympic medallist Louis Smith banned for 'mocking Islam'

[WalrusGumboot]

m.bbc.co.uk/sport/gymnastics/37832754

I find this extremely worrying. I hope the ban is overturned. Freedom of speech should be defended and I think it's shameful that British Gymnastics are not being more supportive of Louis.

And why do you think there is difficulty in parents allowing young Muslims girls to join gymnastic clubs it has far more do to with their hymen remaining intact or an attitude that girls shouldn't do sports which in this day and age is beyond ridiculous

It's certainly not anything to do his silly joke between him and his friend

how sportsmen and women behave when they are in private is down to them, if a crime is committed they should be stripped of their membership or not allowed to represent their country

No crime has been committed by him

Have there been death threats? Any evidence?

well it was reported on the news when he visited a mosque

I am not sure what sort of evidence you are wanting and rather an odd comment to make

Because people were talking about how shocking the death threats are. I just wondered what they consisted of.

Really

You are a card Bertrand.

Well, if that means not thinking racism is funny, and thinking a 27 year old should know better than this then yep. Guilty as charged.

No mention of death threats in the Daily Mail, by the way.

Really Bertrand Russell? www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3835467/I-blame-Louis-Smith-reveals-s-death-threats-JIHADISTS-apologises-mocking-Muslims-drunken-video.html

how is it racist exactly ?

Oh well it's not in the DM yet it's being discussed in parliament

How is it racist? Hmm. Where to start?

Well, mocking language and accent is a good place......

"And why do you think there is difficulty in parents allowing young Muslims girls to join gymnastic clubs it has far more do to with their hymen remaining intact or an attitude that girls shouldn't do sports which in this day and age is beyond ridiculous "

Louis Smith is an ambassador for his sport. It's does no favours offending people for their religious background.

The fact is that Louis Smith's gymnastics has been bankrolled by thousands of recreational gymnasts and the national lottery over the years. It's not unreasonable to be disappointed by his behaviour in public and to be glad that BG punished him.

I am sorry Louis Smith has had death threats. That is wrong and disportionate. Two wrongs do not make a right. The people who have made death threats need to be jailed.

I hope that Louis Smith will learn from his silly behaviour and I wish him the best with his future career.

So mimicking accents is racist

Taking the piss is out of religion is racist

Could list a whole load of comedians and shows that shouldn't be on air along with people joking within a group and taking the piss racist

Good grief

Oh come on. Could anyone seriously look at that video and not think it was racist?

Preserve me from the Professionally Unoffended!

Do you want your child to aspire to be like Louis Smith after watching that video? Does his behaviour meet the expected standards of someone represents the uk internationally?

There are lots of young gymnasts who would love the honour of representing the uk. It's a privilege that comes with responsiblity. Yes, that means not getting drunk and being a prat.

He was speaking Arabic, which is a religious language, not linked to any race. And I didn't notice any accent (his friend possibly, but tbh I've heard Arabic in many different countries and it's not easy to detect a specific accent.)

Or are you saying it's also racist for a comedian to intone in the manner of a priest at mass 'In nomine Patris et Filii' while making a joke about child molestation?

No I look at the video and think it's two young men who are drunk being stupid

I do feel mocking Christianity is different, and I am a Christian. This century, Christians weren't a minority in Britain, so any mocking came from a position of power.

It is irrelevant that Christianity is the majority. Demographics cannot be absolutely equal in any society. Are you saying that only faiths in the minority should be able to mock if they want to? A minority can cause just as much offence as a majority faith.

I believe that Smith mimicked how muslim people pray, is that right? That's very tame actually compared to the jeers and laughing some Christians receive on their way to church on a Sunday from muslim males.

So if I go to a majority Muslim country, their religion is open to criticism and satire from me as a non Muslim?

Bertrand How can it be racist? Islam has followers from all nationalities. What are you on about. Time to find another word.

Check out Sennels on How Islam managed to stay medieval for 1,400 years

10news.dk/?p=675

Bertrand I was commenting on your picking up on the issue of death threats as if this were a very unlikely part of the unfolding tale.

But I think you probably knew that..

"So if I go to a majority Muslim country, their religion is open to criticism and satire from me as a non Muslim?"

Nope, you will go to prison or be killed.

"Bertrand How can it be racist? Islam has followers from all nationalities. What are you on about. Time to find another word."

Yep. I know. Rather my point.That's why this is racism. Presumably if they were mocking religion they would do it in their own language..........