Matthew Shute wrote:I have to wonder whether they've thought this through, though. What about an imam denouncing paganism or Hinduism? Won't that kind of thing count?

Thommo wrote:

Matthew Shute wrote:I have to wonder whether they've thought this through, though. What about an imam denouncing paganism or Hinduism? Won't that kind of thing count?

I don't think so, from a strictly neutral point of view a religion is a body of people who worship a god and since there's only one true god (PBUH) these beliefs are not religions. Further since the gods of these religions don't exist there's no actual harm to any real living person, unlike when someone defames, picking an example at random, the prophet Mohammed (PBUH), who is actually harmed by defamation as he still lives at Allah's side in paradise.

Thommo wrote:

Matthew Shute wrote:I have to wonder whether they've thought this through, though. What about an imam denouncing paganism or Hinduism? Won't that kind of thing count?

I don't think so, from a strictly neutral point of view a religion is a body of people who worship a god and since there's only one true god (PBUH) these beliefs are not religions. Further since the gods of these religions don't exist there's no actual harm to any real living person, unlike when someone defames, picking an example at random, the prophet Mohammed (PBUH), who is actually harmed by defamation as he still lives at Allah's side in paradise.

chairman bill wrote: Well done. Though to be fair, this religious apologetics shit is quite easy, so long as you can get into the fuckwitted mindset required. I find it quite easy, but I'm not sure that's a good thing

The official insisted that the draft law does not clash with freedom of expression.

“The law does not interfere in any way with the freedom of opinion and expression which is well protected and guaranteed. All penal laws in Arab countries criminalise defamation of religions but there are no specific sanctions when an abuser is outside the country. Therefore, the main goal of this law is to deter all forms of defamation of religions and give each country that ratifies it the right to file lawsuits against those who offend religions, even if they are not residents,” he said.

Blackadder wrote:This is a nation that will be hosting the football World Cup in 2022. They shouldn't be allowed to host a fucking coffee morning until they progress beyond 14th century twatbastardness.

chairman bill wrote:And clearly, any UK refusal to accede to the demands for extradition by an Arab state, would be Islamaphobia & nothing more

Alan B wrote:

The official insisted that the draft law does not clash with freedom of expression.

“The law does not interfere in any way with the freedom of opinion and expression which is well protected and guaranteed. All penal laws in Arab countries criminalise defamation of religions but there are no specific sanctions when an abuser is outside the country. Therefore, the main goal of this law is to deter all forms of defamation of religions and give each country that ratifies it the right to file lawsuits against those who offend religions, even if they are not residents,” he said.

My emphasis.
Yeah, I can just see the EU or the US ratifying this pile of excrement - but I suppose that there will be some GOP members who will try to push this through...

Blip wrote:this sort of cunning stunt

Beatsong wrote:

Blip wrote:this sort of cunning stunt

Spoonerism?

False Accusers Get Death Sentence Under New Pakistan Blasphemy Laws.
Pakistan’s constitutionally mandated Council of Islamic Ideology told the government anyone who wrongly accuses a person of blasphemy against Islam must be executed—a measure intended to protect innocent people who are often killed by mobs.

The CII demanded the measure after endorsing Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, which allow a death sentence for people found guilty of desecrating the Quran, the Prophet Muhammad, mosques or Islamic beliefs.

Charges of blasphemy are sometimes leveled to settle scores or acquire property, a Pakistan Today editorial said on Friday (Sept. 20).

“Once a person is arrested it takes years, sometimes eight to 10 years, to prove his or her innocence in courts. Even if honorably acquitted, the innocent victim is not safe” and sometimes “killed inside the jail or after they were released,” the editorial said.

Alan B wrote:
If they did away with the blasphemy laws they wouldn't have got themselves in this position.