Tony's Law

[brionon]

How do you feel about not being allowed to criticize a Religion ? I'm against Racism but not being allowed to criticise an idea ? In the immortal words of that lady on Lenny Henry's Show, 'I don't think so.''

[Loosehead]

You are and you will be allowed to criticise religion. It was discussed on lunch time news today. For example "Life of Brian" is still ok as will be most of what comics do. What will be illegal is inciting action against a particular religion or using one religion as a basis for persecution of non participants. For example it will be illegal to stand on street corners inciting followers to "Slay the infidel"

[BigDogsWang]

So is it more likely to affect the Abu Hamza's of the world then?

Excellent. I'm all for it.

[brionon]

It has always been illegal to stand on a street corner and say ''Slay the infidel.''

[OBonio]

Why should it be illegal to say anything? I don't give a monkeys what Abu Hamza rattles on about. His opinions mean nothing to me. I would expect anyone who disagrees with my opinions to ignore them too. It is wrong to stop people saying anything they want to. Simple as that.

[El D]

I can't work out whether it is the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end. . .

Quite Obonio, the last time I let some air vibrations hurt me was - oh no wait they can't.

Words are meaningless without the authority you personally give them. As for old Abu, the most worrying thing is not that he can stand there and waffle, but that people listen to him. Remove their desire to listen and there will be no need for this infringement of free speech, its a pathetic attempt to deal with the symptom and not the cause.

Frankly I wait to be flabberghasted yet again as the herd follows meekly along while our civil liberties are trashed

[acw]

It's called the Social Contract.  Everyone's free to emmigrate. 

[netibiza]

acw why emigrate - don't you think we have stupid laws abroad aswell - there's no getting away from them.

[acw]

Yeah, netti, you're right.  I was just feeling very obtuse. 

I think the heart of the problem lies in people who play the race card.  Genuine discrimination should be targetted and punished.  However, a small minority are too quick to call foul when as majority of other people in their situation would not have done so. 

All I can say is that I hope that every person who chooses to complain about this law exercised their democratic right and voted just over a month ago (all those entitled to and physically able to I mean).  (PS - People who want the democratic option of NOT voting, should make a point of doing so by spoiling their ballot paper and submitting it anyway).  If you didn't vote - don't complain about legislation - you had your chance. 

[QmunkE]

I'm sure the law is against Inciting Religious Hatred, not criticising religions - it's there to stop those such as the aforementioned Abu Hamza from preaching to impressionable people that other religions are evil, and that they should attempt to do whatever they can by whatever means to rid the world of anyone who doesn't follow their religion.

Is it really illegal to shout "slay the infidel"? Even if you don't indicate what infidel you would like slain?

[milly143]

I hate to be a bother but Im not really sure I understand. Are you saying that if, for example, I said I thought arranged marriages set by a certain religion were morally wrong, then I would be breaking the law or I have completely gone off the mark?

[brionon]

This Government says ''Oh but we don't intend to do this or that with this new law'' BUT what of future Governments ? This law is so Unclear it could be used for anything. May we say that torturing Kids to drive out the Devil is fair or is it ''Tending to stir up Religious hatred? And what does 'Tending'' mean in a court of law ?

[whiteeagle]

People of the answerbank this proposal is political correctness gone mad.We are adults and entitled to free speech. One man's meat is another man's poison.We are approaching a time when to be critical of anything may result in any one of us being prosecuted. So what happens is we have a  'Big Brother' situation were people will be reticent to voice any displeasure about anything.

[robbieh]

This isn't political correctness gone amd. Whats printed in tabloid newpapers would indicate this (as always). But the practise and fact of it isn't

[brionon]

ROB, Sorry mate but I don't read the tabloids and I advise you to give it up, it'll addle your brain.

[robbieh]

No don't worry, I find it a pleasure to "browse" the tabloids. Just for a laugh though. Particularly the Express and the Mail. It sometimes helps when trying to understand some of the more misinformed questions posted here on AB and in the general public discussion.

I used to wonder where people got there often extreme, non-sensible, sometimes-racist, often-scared, often-confused, often very much spun, misinformed non-factual ideas/views from - then I "read" the Daily Mail

[undercovers]

it must still be legal to shout "slay the infidel" on a street corner, as an infidel is a non-believer of an unspecified religion or a non-believer of any relgion - thus this cannot be inciting religous hatred as there is no reglion mentioned! so please continue screaming slay the ifidel to you hearts content...

[Little Lady]

I found this on a website and thought it was quite interesting - When you call yourself an Indian or a Muslim or a Christian or a European, or anything else, you are being violent. Do you see why it is violent? Because you are separating yourself from the rest of mankind. When you separate yourself by belief, by nationality, by tradition, it breeds violence. So a man who is seeking to understand violence does not belong to any country, to any religion, to any political party or partial system; he is concerned with the total understanding of mankind.

[Octavius]

I'm confused EI D....

I would suggest that words can hurt, but how would you propose to "remove their desire to listen"...?

Surely they would desire not to listen to you telling them not to desire to listen to something they believe in??