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| Britain |
| Mr Bean Speaks! |
| 2004-12-08 |
| EFL David Blunkett has told MPs a new law targeting "incitement to religious hatred" will not curtail free speech. Mr Blunkett told MPs it was to protect people who "feel threatened ... and feel society is not embracing them". Awww, that's what they need! A big warm hug! He said: "We are trying to stop groups of people who are prepared verbally, in writing and through the internet, to incite others to hate because of someone's faith not because of the argument about their faith." Ten pounds says they aren't going to find any imams guilty of this.... On Monday, Blackadder star Rowan Atkinson launched a comedians' campaign against the plan. The Mr Bean actor says it is "wholly inappropriate" and could stifle freedom of speech. Speaking at Westminster, Mr Atkinson was backed by a group of writers, MPs and the National Secular Society. They oppose part of the bill which will create a new offence of incitement to religious hatred to protect faith groups, particularly But picking on Joooooos is ok! There are already enough laws to deal with such extremists, they say. Mr Atkinson told a meeting at the House of Commons on Monday night there are "quite a few sketches" he has performed which would come into conflict with the proposed law. He added: "To criticise a person for their race is manifestly irrational and ridiculous but to criticise their religion, that is a right. That is a freedom. The freedom to criticise ideas, any ideas - even if they are sincerely held beliefs - is one of the fundamental freedoms of society. A law which attempts to say you can criticise and ridicule ideas as long as they are not religious ideas is a very peculiar law indeed." He said he had sympathy with the law's backers, particular British Muslims, but added: "I appreciate this measure is an attempt to provide comfort and protection to them. But unfortunately it is wholly inappropriate response far more likely to promote tension between communities than tolerance." |
| Posted by:Desert Blondie |
| #3 Mr Atkinson told a meeting at the House of Commons on Monday night there are "quite a few sketches" he has performed which would come into conflict with the proposed law. Including about half of one of the seasons of Blackadder. |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2004-12-08 8:04:55 AM |
| #2 I reckon that you won't be the last one. :-) |
| Posted by: Sobiesky 2004-12-08 5:12:53 AM |
| #1 Would the last person to leave the country please turn out the lights. |
| Posted by: Howard UK 2004-12-08 4:56:28 AM |