Law To Safeguard Religion Is No Joke, Warns Blackadder
Author: Sarah Hall and Tania Branigan Source: The Guardian (UK)
Title: LAW TO SAFEGUARD RELIGION IS NO JOKE, WARNS BLACKADDER
http://www.witchvox.com/wren/wn_detaila.html?id=11695
Criticizing religion is a "fundamental freedom of society", a leading international comedian affirmed last night, as he headed a coalition opposing measures to outlaw the incitement of religious hatred.
Rowan Atkinson, the star of Blackadder, gave an impassioned defense of the right to lampoon religion as he joined Tory, Lib Dem, and Labour backbenchers, lawyers, and academics opposed to part of the Serious Organized Crime and Police Bill - which today gets its second reading.
The government claims the bill would not prevent free speech or religious satire. But Mr. Atkinson - who used to deliver mock sermons on the comedy show Not the Nine OClock News - warned that British society would cease to permit "open and vigorous" debate and adopt "a veneer of tolerance concealing a snakepit of unaired and unchallenged views". At the meeting in Westminster, he insisted that "there should be no subjects about which you cannot make jokes".
Submitted by and Thanks to: Cat
Additional Article Link: [Click HERE] Options: [Read Full Story]
Author: Sarah Hall and Tania Branigan Source: The Guardian (UK)
Title: LAW TO SAFEGUARD RELIGION IS NO JOKE, WARNS BLACKADDER
http://www.witchvox.com/wren/wn_detaila.html?id=11695
Rowan Atkinson, the star of Blackadder, gave an impassioned defense of the right to lampoon religion as he joined Tory, Lib Dem, and Labour backbenchers, lawyers, and academics opposed to part of the Serious Organized Crime and Police Bill - which today gets its second reading.
The government claims the bill would not prevent free speech or religious satire. But Mr. Atkinson - who used to deliver mock sermons on the comedy show Not the Nine OClock News - warned that British society would cease to permit "open and vigorous" debate and adopt "a veneer of tolerance concealing a snakepit of unaired and unchallenged views". At the meeting in Westminster, he insisted that "there should be no subjects about which you cannot make jokes".
Submitted by and Thanks to: Cat
Additional Article Link: [Click HERE] Options: [Read Full Story]
