Russia - Denying God Exists = Trouble

[agchristie]

Did you know this offence was criminalized in Russia a few years ago?

Can you imagine a crime in the UK for 'offending someones beliefs'?

Believers - how offended do you feel when you are criticised for your beliefs?

Non-believers - can you imagine having a month of psychological tests?

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russian-faces-year-prison-denying-existence-god-n530111

[Jackdaw33]

Can you imagine a crime in the UK for 'offending someones beliefs'?

Yes, just say the word Muzzie and you're up on a hate crime charge.

[agchristie]

Jackdaw - point taken. I was meaning more a crime in the UK for simply denying the existence of God in an exchange with a believer and thus hurting his/her feelings ;)

[naomi24]

Blasphemy laws in this country were repealed in 2008.

[agchristie]

Naomi - thanks, fairly recent then!

[Canary42]

Why do the Islamaphobes have to infect every thread ?

[agchristie]

DB > Try doing it about Allah

Isn't the silent protest the way forward? ;)

[agchristie]

Canary, good evening - what are your thoughts please?

[benhilton]

According to this report , the penalty wouldn't be for denying the existence of God , but for a blogging exchange "...containing insults against one of the religions and the religious feelings of believers..." .
It's also the first time this law will have been used in Russia .
Link :
http://tass.ru/en/society/860259

[ichkeria]

There is a saying in Russia that explains these bizarre cases:
'For my friends everything - for my enemies: the law'
In other words laws are passed simply in order to be used on an ad hoc basis against anyone the state seems it necessary to persecute. It could be denying the existence of God, it could be hosting a website 'detrimental to the security of the State'
I wonder if there is a country in the world with more laws but more lawlessness and less 'rule of law' as we are lucky enough to understand it

[agchristie]

benhilton - thanks for link.

Ichkeria - I dread to think how many laws exist in Russia!

[ichkeria]

If you ever get a chance, look at the list of items you are banned from sending to Russia. I used to be able to feel off some of the more bizarre ones as a party piece but I've forgotten them

Anyway, I digress. Let religion have its day :-)

[ichkeria]

Er um I meant 'reel' off of course

[agchristie]

Ich, I will!

I once wanted to send something in the post to Slovenia once. The counter clerk had to check the official GPO guide to see what was banned. There weren't many things listed but one curiously was 'fork whistles'!!

I never did check what they were!

Anyway, I digress...

[naomi24]

//Russia's Investigative Committee — the equivalent of the FBI — charged Krasnov with "offending believers' feelings," which was criminalized in Russia after a notorious performance by punk band Pussy Riot in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior in February 2012. Two band members were jailed in 2012 for performing an anti-Vladimir Putin song at the cathedral.//

Is there a connection between ‘offending believers’ feelings’ and performing an anti-Vladimir Putin song?

[naomi24]

Canary42, // Why do the Islamaphobes have to infect every thread ?..//

Divebuddy at 19:41 is right though, isn’t he?

[agchristie]

Naomi, coincidence isn't it? I recall the outcry over the Pussy Riot incident with many people crying injustice.

[naomi24]

ag, I find this new law quite bizarre.

[jomifl]

The term 'islamaphobe' is rather ironic since most of the hatred in the world seems to emanate from islam.