Should legally defined blasphemy (still) be illegal?

Question

In Britain blasphemy was taken off the statute books not so long ago. I pose a question, how can we promulgate a society of tolerance and open-minded multi-culturalism if open insults to people's beliefs and sheer blasphemy are de facto condoned by the law owing to their absence from the statutes? I am all for freedom of speech but that does not allow one to shout fire in a crowded theatre.....

I am also asking this question in reference to recent calls for adopting elements of Shariah law in Britain, a country that has just turned her face from God....

Answer 1

As much as blasphemy riles me, and I will not pass up an opportunity to castigate a blasphemer, it is ultimately their right, and as such, there should be no laws against it.

Answer 2

Emjay, with the greatest respect - the way Christians are especially singled out pains me too - if you do that, the Islamists will have a field day with every reference made to them, and will block up the courts with their mindless ranting. It will give them a greater platform than the one they already enjoy in Britain.

But do we want multi-culturalism? Look at the results. It has worked with Hindus - who as a rule are splendidly able to co-exist with any and every religious belief - but has failed miserable with the Moslems. Perhaps the time has come to intimate to those concerned that if they cannot live and let live, then they should return to where they came from.

Answer 3

Tolerance does not mean that we have to accept the failed Policy of muti-culturalism and all the illegals it brings to our shores. Europeans are not welcome in Africa or the Middle East so why should we accept the product of a colonic irrigation from their Countries into ours.Its not about religion but about a massive difference in civilisation.We are civilisation and the best it can be just now so we either close our doors to them or they comply with our customs and traditions.

Answer 4

Blasphemy has never been illegal here, I cant see why they would bother.

Schools are eliminating God, every celebrity encourages godlessness  ... Every way you turn God is being squeezed out.

Christians are a bit more relaxed about it as well (turning the other cheek) unlike Muslims who will send suicide bombers in for a Mohammed joke.

As a Christian I tend to avoid people that do not think like myself to avoid conflict

Answer 5

The right to express ideas that are offensive to some is crucial for a democratic society to function.  Period.  No excuses.

Answer 6

I don't care about offending some foreign religion. I want my freedom of speech. I want to say what I want when I want regardless of offense. Since England pretty much defined modern democracy it would be pretty ironic for it to be the most censored nation in Europe.

BTW... are they tolerant of our freedoms, like the freedom to criticize religions? No, last time we criticized Islam, they firebombed embassies.