Abolition of the crime of blasphemy

[jake-the-peg]

Today a cross party group are seeking the abolition of the crime of blasphemy.

This crime only protects Christianity and signatories calling for it's abolition bizzarrely include Richard Dawkins and the ArchBishop of Canterbury

Yet it's getting a somewhat luke warm response from the Government.

Is there any good reason to keep a piece of archaic legislation like this that hasn't been sucessfully used for decades?

Does Jesus need the protection of the law?

[Theland]

chakka - It's well nigh impossible to argue with you when you set it all out in such a way, but surely, is there not room for continuing to hold dear, some of those values and influences that historically have been such an important part of our culture and civilisation? What we are talking about here is extending the same rights and priveleges, ie, making a level playing field, for what are in effect the various mainstays of alien culture, in an otherwise nominally Christian society.

[naomi24]

Theland, the question isn't about extending rights to other groups - it's about abolishing a law that applies to only one group. Everyone is entitled to worship (or not) as they see fit, and we must have a level playing field. Do you really see the abolition of this law, which hasn't been used successfully in a very long time, as a threat to your religion, or to the culture of this country? The fact is, it isn't used and therefore no one will miss it, so it won't change a thing.

Crickey, I dread to think how many of us here on R&S would become guests of Her Majesty if the law was regularly invoked successfully. Still, I trust you'd bring us a cake with a file in it!

[Theland]

I would sentence you to a month in Chatterbank!

[naomi24]

Oooo ...... now that really is evil!!