New crime of blasphemous libel proposed for Defamation Bill - goodbye free speech ?

[cHeal]

As hundreds of women and some children came to pray, a preacher called for adulterers, homosexuals, women who act like men and Muslim converts to other faiths to be killed, saying: "Kill him, kill him. You have to kill him, you understand. This is Islam."

Channel 4 said: "Worshippers are repeatedly told they must lead separate lives from non-believers and not tolerate other religions. Christian teachings are described as "vile and disgusting, an abomination."

At private, invite-only prayer meetings linked to the mosque, the reporter films the leading preacher from the women's prayer circle issuing strict diktats on women's personal
freedoms - decreeing they must not travel far without a male member of the family to escort them, and instructing them not to integrate with British society or work in a non-Islamic environment."

In the same mosque, the reporter visited the bookshop and discovered books and DVDs still on sale, promoting extremist, anti-Semitic, misogynistic and intolerant messages, Channel 4 said.

"Unbelievers are described in one DVD as: 'Evil, wicked, mischievous people - you can see the evil in their face.' Whilst Jews, 'have abominated, filthy, disgusting gross belief - their time will come like every other evil person's time will come.' "

What of this Mohammad boy?

[imokyrok]

Do you believe in pink unicorns or are you simply a Dawkins disciple? If the former then the onus is on you to tender your proof. See, there's a civil way to deal with the issue.

Lessons in civility from the man who threatens hospitalisation for those who disagree with him. The irony!

[tmesis2008]

Do you believe in God? The onus is on you to prove it if so!! You can't play drakes and ducks with it.

Is Alterego actually suggesting now that he wants to sue people on behalf of Allah? Does Allah need the protection of the Irish courts. And, if he feels that he does, surely he can get on his Sunday Best, and make an appearance in court himself, eh?

[imokyrok]

I'm a little afraid that this thread is being sidetracked by the UK troll. Perhaps we should forget about specific religous arguments for the moment and get back to discussing the potential impact of this law on this countrys free speech.

[greenwithirony]

But surely even a public pronouncement of one's atheism, a belief that God does not exist, is itself offensive & likely to cause outrage amongst many believers, & therefore could be prosecuted???

[the_Observer]

Religion is far too dangerous a human invention to grant further legal protection and privilege. This is the first time I ever considered a politician dangerous. Completely useless and incompetent, yes. But not dangerous.

[imokyrok]

Religion is far too dangerous a human invention to grant further legal protection and privilege. This is the first time I ever considered a politician dangerous. Completely useless and incompetent, yes. But not dangerous.

The scary thing is that he sees himself as the next Taoiseach.

[FutureTaoiseach]

Reply from Pat Rabbitte:

[FONT=Arial]Thank you for communication concerning the government decision to include a section on blasphemous libel in the Defamation Bill. The Bill is at Committee stage and the proposed new section has not yet been reached.[/FONT]

The Labour Party is opposed to the inclusion of such a section. We support the proposal from the Constitutional Review Group to remove the reference in the constitution by way of referendum.

Tactically we have taken a "belt and braces" approach i.e. if the Minister refuses to excise the reference in the Bill our amendment will seek to constrain the government's proposal. According to this morning's newspapers, the Minister intends to press ahead.

Sincerely

Pat Rabbitte TD[SIZE=3][FONT=sans-serif] [/FONT][/SIZE]

[corelli]

Reply from Pat Rabbitte:

Very good. So that is both main opposition parties opposed.

I really want to see what the "liberal" Greens have to say on this issue. They are an absolute disgrace if they let this pass.

[marmurr1916]

Reply from Pat Rabbitte:

Exactly the same reply I got, still nothing from Dermot Ahern (not even an acknowledgment).

I've suggested to Pat Rabbitte that he change the word 'merit' to 'purpose'.

Instead of an exemption for material of "literary, artistic, social or academic merit", there'd be an exemption for material wtih "literary, artistic, social, academic, political or religious purpose",

That way the exempted material doesn't have to be of merit.