Tag Archives: blasphemy and defamation of religion

The Line Still Holds (Just)

Posted on October 14, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

Cross-posted on the Corner: The Daily Telegraph reports: A key proposal by Tunisia’s ruling Islamist party to outlaw blasphemy in the new constitution, stoking fears of creeping Islamisation, is to be dropped from the final text. The agreement to drop … Continue reading →

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New York’s MTA, the First Amendment & the Heckler’s Veto

Posted on September 29, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

Cross-posted on the Corner The New York Times reports: [New York’s] Metropolitan Transportation Authority approved new guidelines for advertisements on Thursday, prohibiting those that it “reasonably foresees would imminently incite or provoke violence or other immediate breach of the peace. … Continue reading →

Posted in law | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

So Unsophisticated, That First Amendment

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

Cross-posted on the Corner: Eric Posner, a professor at the University of Chicago law school frets in Slate: The universal response in the United States to the uproar over the anti-Muslim video is that the Muslim world will just have … Continue reading →

Posted in law, Religion | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Erdogan, Again

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

Cross-posted on the Corner: Turkey’s thuggish (“mildly Islamist”, if you are The Economist) prime minister Erdogan is doing his bit to restrict free speech. The Seattle Times reports: Prompted by the anti-Muslim video produced in California that has stirred deadly … Continue reading →

Posted in law, politics, Religion | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Glimpses of Barbarism

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

From the Economist: In July a mentally disturbed Muslim man, arrested for blasphemy in the Punjab city of Bahawalpur, was dragged out of the police station by a crowd of 2,000 and set on fire. In 2009 accusations of blasphemy … Continue reading →

Posted in culture | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

First Amendment Watch

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

Cross-posted in the Corner: Writing in USA Today, Anthea Butler, an associate professor of religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania, reveals that she hasn’t quite got to grips with this whole First Amendment thing: [W] hy did I tweet … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion | Tagged , | 6 Comments

‘Free Speech Is Free Speech Is Free Speech’

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

Cross-posted on the Corner: Back at the time of the Mohammed cartoon troubles, an article published in the embattled Jyllands-Posten included this phrase: “Ytringsfrihed er ytringsfrihed er ytringsfrihed. Der er intet men.” The translation? “Free speech is free speech is … Continue reading →

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Humiliated in Cairo

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

As, on 9/11, an Egyptian mob storm the US Embassy on 9/11 in Cairo “offended” by a film about Islam made in America, America’s diplomats cringe and kowtow, and jettison the principle of free speech in favor of religious privilege: … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Untold Story

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

Cross-posted on the Corner: Today of all days, it is disheartening to read this: A screening of a controversial documentary on the history of Islam has been cancelled on security advice after its presenter was threatened. Historian Tom Holland’s Channel … Continue reading →

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Christians & Muslims Unite…

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

…against Lady Gaga. The Guardian reports: Christian groups in the Philippines have called for a ban on Lady Gaga’s Manila concerts, alleging that her song Judas is an offensive mockery of Jesus Christ. Youths gathered at a rally outside the … Continue reading →

Posted in Church & State, culture | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments