New Commons push for an end to Britain's blasphemy laws

An MP will this week seek to bring an end to Britain's controversial blasphemy laws - as a broad cross- section of believers, humanists and civil rights campaigners continue to argue that they are unnecessary, repressive and outdated.

Today British Humanist Association (BHA) and the comedian Stewart Lee urged MPs to vote for the abolition of the offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel when it is considered by the Commons at the instigation of Liberal Democrat MP Dr Evan Harris.

Report from Ekklesia: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/

Question: To abolish or not to abolish?

(please feel free to comment (and or vote in the poll at the bottom of this web page)



Comments

Diana said…
I just want to know if the blasphemy laws are abolished will I be able to call a teddy bear Mohammed without fear of repercussions?
January 10, 2008 at 1:10 PM
Question of Identity said…
If ever there was blatant blasphemy in recent years, it was in the 'Jerry Springer the Opera' production, though I think I am right in saying, a court last year failed to make a guilty verdict on this matter. Possibly these laws are unenforceable . I have heard that the Government are open to consult the church about this matter, it will be interesting how 'the church' responds. Will scrapping these laws put the final nails in the coffin into the idea of this nation being part of Christendom?
It was interesting that John Sentamu talked about God being 'violated and blashpemed' not by words but by the actions of our world:
"In the killing, raping and looting fields of Darfur; in the broken nation and a broken people of Zimbabwe who have been force-fed with injustice and can swallow no more; for the unreconciled children of Abraham in the Middle East – the Palestinians without a viable state they can call home and Israelis hungry for peace and security; for the refugees, the homeless and people caught up in human trafficking; in the walls of silence about the abduction of Madeleine McCann, the murder of Rhys Jones and the failure for any to take responsibility for the Omagh bombing – God is being violated and blasphemed."
Diana - thanks for your comment. Of course the blasphemy laws in other countries often seem very unjust
January 10, 2008 at 3:01 PM
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