blasphemy laws

[ranunculus]

Muslim nations are demanding international limits on anti-Islam speech. Suppose the UN gives in and global anti blasphemy laws are in effect. Any critique of Islam could become hate speech. Likewise any critique of Christianity could become hate speech.
Though I'm confused as to how that would work.
According to Islam, Jesus wasn't the son of god, which of course is blasphemy if you're a christian.According to Christianity, Mohammed was not the prophet, which of course is blasphemy if you're a muslim.
So the mere existence of one religion is blasphemous to the other. For anti blasphemy laws to work, wouldn't religious expression have to be made illegal? Isn't merely affirming your faith (I believe in Jesus, I believe in Mohammed, I believe in Shiva) a blasphemous act because you're indirectly saying all those other religions are false?

 

[jpcedotal]

In order from anti blasphemy laws to work, the world must pick one true religion...which is what Islamic crazies are trying to bully through.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

Church state seperation! Freedom of conscience in religious matters. Recognition of an objective 'moral landscape'.

 

[juvenissun]

Muslim nations are demanding international limits on anti-Islam speech. Suppose the UN gives in and global anti blasphemy laws are in effect. Any critique of Islam could become hate speech. Likewise any critique of Christianity could become hate speech.
Though I'm confused as to how that would work.
According to Islam, Jesus wasn't the son of god, which of course is blasphemy if you're a christian.According to Christianity, Mohammed was not the prophet, which of course is blasphemy if you're a muslim.
So the mere existence of one religion is blasphemous to the other. For anti blasphemy laws to work, wouldn't religious expression have to be made illegal? Isn't merely affirming your faith (I believe in Jesus, I believe in Mohammed, I believe in Shiva) a blasphemous act because you're indirectly saying all those other religions are false?

Take Islam out, then your question will not be a question any more.

 

[jayem]

This isn't the Middel Ages. Government suppression of "blasphemy" is absurd. It would be authoritarianism on steroids.

Muslim countries are just grandstanding. The UN has no authority to require anti-blasphemy laws in member nations. AFAIK, it can only impose its will when the Security Council votes to intervene in acts of war by one country against another. This is from Chapter 1, Article 2 of the UN Charter:

7. Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state or shall require the Members to submit such matters to settlement under the present Charter; but this principle shall not prejudice the application of enforcement measures under Chapter Vll.

(Chapter VII deals with acts of aggression, and threats to the peace.)

 

[Git]

Take Islam out, then your question will not be a question any more.

And this is why you should leave thinking to the ones not suggesting the annhilation of an entire religion accompanied by a world domination trip and a few large genocides.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

I heard thaat the catholics support the idea. Or something to do with slander of faith. Not knowing more i can only generalisee. Some of their social policies seem quite high minded but i am against the glorious mass as a macarbre spiritual projection. So cant intuit a definite conclusion friends I would have to see the detail.

 

[variant]

It would be flatly unconstitutional for the US to ratify a treaty that allowed muslim nations to dictate our speech.

 

[NaCl]

I say just reform things in the US (like establishing energy independence) so that we don't have to worry about protests and turmoil in the middle east. Let them scream and not be heard.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

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[GrowingSmaller]

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[GrowingSmaller]

but if you doubt my sincerity i am intent on reporting myself to the authorities.

 

[AlexBP]

This isn't the Middel Ages. Government suppression of "blasphemy" is absurd. It would be authoritarianism on steroids.

Yeah, I think that's kind of the point.

In the USA and Europe, millions of people constantly launch vicious insults against Christianity, Judaism, Mormonism, and other religions, and the political class never objects. Indeed, the political class often cheers them on. For instance, Hillary Clinton has said that she's a big fan of the musical Book of Mormon.

On the other hand, when someone attacks Islam, as they did in the recent YouTube video that led the violence in the Middle East, those same politicians will condemn it and start talking about the need to be respectful to all religions. It's ridiculous hypocricy, of course, but the reason for it isn't hard to see. Christians, Jews, Mormons, Buddhists, and others reach peacefully to attacks on their religion and favor freedom of speech. Muslims do not. When they are attacked, even by an idiotic YouTube video, they're willing to respond with physical violence including mass murder. As a result, politicians in western nations are willing to bow down to them.

Obviously this has not yet reach the point where the United States will outlaw criticism of Islam. Some other countries have already done that. Canada, for instance, has "hate speech" laws that prohibit attacks on religious grounds, as well as racism and homophobia.

Seventy years ago, we had strong political leaders, willing to stand up for our freedoms. Now we no longer do. We are on a path towards less freedom as a result.

 

[Ken-1122]

Muslim nations are demanding international limits on anti-Islam speech. Suppose the UN gives in and global anti blasphemy laws are in effect. Any critique of Islam could become hate speech. Likewise any critique of Christianity could become hate speech.
Though I'm confused as to how that would work.
According to Islam, Jesus wasn't the son of god, which of course is blasphemy if you're a christian.According to Christianity, Mohammed was not the prophet, which of course is blasphemy if you're a muslim.
So the mere existence of one religion is blasphemous to the other. For anti blasphemy laws to work, wouldn't religious expression have to be made illegal? Isn't merely affirming your faith (I believe in Jesus, I believe in Mohammed, I believe in Shiva) a blasphemous act because you're indirectly saying all those other religions are false?

As far as I am concerned, when the Taliban destroyed all of those ancient Buddhist statues 10 years ago; without a peep of outrage from the Muslim community; they lost all credibility to protest when someone insults or blaspheme them. If they aren’t gonna have any respect for someone else’s religion, they have no business demanding respect for theirs.
Ken

 

[WonderBeat]

the only blasphemy is against your own Soul... against the bliss that YOU are..