Today the UK parliament votes on the proposed Racial & Religious Hatred Bill (BBC story here). [EDIT: Since publishing, this link has changed to the BBC story reporting the defeat of the new law. Hooray!]
There is much opposition to this bill (and, I’m sure, much support too) from various quarters, much of it valid. One of the most vocal opponents is the actor/comic Rowan Atkinson, who claims the bill is an infringement of freedom in general and, specifically, an infringement on his right to make humour at the expense of religion. He has claimed it should be everyone’s right to: “cause trouble, or create discomfort, or offence, as long as your words or behaviour are not threatening”.
He’s right. This proposed law is appalling, and the government is trying to slide it past parliament by the most devious means. It has hooked it up with the existing law banning Racial Hatred.
Continue reading Religious Hatred? You betcha!
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