UK Blasphemy Law
I'm more than a little surprised to find out they still have this on the books, and that the government is still uncertain whether or not they should get rid of it.
The government has "every sympathy" for the case for abolishing blasphemy laws, Justice Minister Maria Eagle has said.
Speaking at the end of a debate on proposals to scrap the laws, she told MPs they wanted to first consult the Church of England.
Consult the Church of England? Nice to see that the secular government needs to go ask permission of the Church before changing the laws. It's like the right always says, Christianity has completely vanished as a force in European life.
More on point is this comment:
"The Almighty does not really need the protection of these ridiculous laws and that's why large numbers of people of a religious perspective share the view that these offences need to be abolished," he said.
I mean, if your god is all-powerful, then why get so worried about somebody saying nasty things about him? Such laws are less about belief and more about power.
Dr Harris's amendment to the bill comes after leading figures, including former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey, wrote to the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday, arguing the legislation was discriminatory as it only covers attacks on Christianity and Church of England beliefs.
The letter said it served "no useful purpose" and offered Christian activists a means to intimidate broadcasters, publishers and performers.
The High Court last month rejected an attempt by a Christian evangelical group to prosecute the director general of the BBC for blasphemy over the screening of the musical Jerry Springer - The Opera.
Too true. The ability to launch lawsuits, even nuisance ones you know you're going to lose, can both raise your profile and bleed money from those you disagree with. Shutting down the opportunities this medieval relic presents is a victory for free speech. Here's hoping they get it done soon.
