Tag Archives: blasphemy and defamation of religion

Blasphemy & Identity Politics

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Andrew Stuttaford

This piece by Kenan Melik on the changing definition of blasphemy, at least in the UK (and, by extension, elsewhere in the west) is well worth reading. This, I think, is the key extract: In recent decades, faith has, in … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, law | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Lame Ad, Worse Response

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Via the LA Times: The Benetton clothing company is known for shock ads that have stirred controversy around the globe with images of death row inmates and people dying of AIDS. Its latest campaign, unveiled Wednesday, so offended the Vatican … Continue reading →

Posted in Church & State | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Offended (2)

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

I first came across the French Catholic fundamentalist group, “Institut Civitas’ in a story posted here a month or so ago. Here they are again: Paris police have arrested around 20 Christian fundamentalists who burst into a theatre and threw … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, Religion | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

“Offended”

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Via the Daily Telegraph: South Africa’s advertising watchdog has banned a television commercial depicting angels falling from heaven because they are attracted to a man’s deodorant after a complaint from a Christian.The advertisement for Axe deodorant (known as Lynx in … Continue reading →

Posted in culture | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

First Amendment Burned in Michigan?

Posted on April 23, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Cross-posted on the Corner: On the face of it, the First Amendment does not seem to be in terribly good shape in Dearborn, Michigan: DEARBORN, Mich., April 23 (UPI) — A constitutional law professor says a trial and the brief … Continue reading →

Posted in law | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

On The Run

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Cross-posted over at the Corner. Writing in the Guardian Nick Cohen puts the terrible killings in Pakistan into wider context: One Pakistani journalist I spoke to described his fellow liberals as members of a persecuted minority, who now knew that … Continue reading →

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Tolerance, Lost

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Cross-posted over at the Corner. As so often, ‘blasphemy’ is the excuse. Via AFP: A Muslim mob burned churches and clashed with police in Indonesia on Tuesday as they demanded the death penalty for a Christian man convicted of blaspheming … Continue reading →

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Sherry Rehman

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Andrew Stuttaford

Via the Guardian, another story that only should only increase fears for the future of Pakistan: All Sherry Rehman wants is to go out – for a coffee, a stroll, lunch, anything. But that’s not possible. Death threats flood her … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Bringing Back the Blasphemy Laws (ctd)

Posted on November 26, 2010 by Andrew Stuttaford

Cross-posted over at the Corner: Via the Daily Mail: A teenage girl has been arrested on suspicion of inciting religious hatred after allegedly burning an English language version of the Koran – and then posting it on Facebook. The 15-year-old, … Continue reading →

Posted in law | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Blasphemy Laws by the Back Door

Posted on September 24, 2010 by Andrew Stuttaford

To describe public burnings of the Koran as uncivil behavior is an understatement, but this piece of news doesn’t say much for the state of free speech in Britain: Six people have been arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred … Continue reading →

Posted in law | Tagged , , | 9 Comments