Liberals and the left should oppose the UNs "Defamation of Religion" ban
Tim Howard
"Defamation of Religion". At next month's Racism Conference, the will
consider formal action on the draft, which would pressure every nation
to amend its laws to prohibit this defamation. Although it is not only
gear toward Muslims, Islamic nations are supporting this potential UN
law. Now, what constitutes "defamation of religion" is in the opinion
of that religion. In Islamic states, saying you are not a Muslim is
itself a crime. Do we want that kind of standard applied to all
religions all over the world? And what about nations with many
different religions that conflict in their views? The real point
however is that a religion should have no specific protection under the
law. The individuals that practice a certain religion should, but no
religion should be above criticism or even ridicule. Religion is just a
set of ideas, and free nations allow people to criticize, and even
condemn any idea they choose to (Actually there are notable exceptions,
like in Europe where they put people in prison for denying the holocaust
or supporting Hitler. I wonder how those Zionists will like having the
shoe on the other foot?) A nation that does not allow criticism of a
religion is a theocracy.
My complaint is that I have only read condemnation of this ban on
defamation from conservative and right-wing blogs and websites on the
'net. I think the liberals and the left should speak out against the
UN's assault on free speech. Sometimes we get so preoccupied with
criticizing our home country (whichever that may be) and Israel that we
fail to remember that radical Muslims are not our friend and oppose
everything we stand for. And don't think other religions like
Christianity who are opposing this measure won't try to take advantage
of it if it passes the UN. Many Christian "leaders" in the USA would
like to shred the Constitution and institute a theocracy if they could
get away with it. I am not so concerned with US law as I am with
Europe, where those countries do not have constitutions. The
secularists and humanists should be talking about the "Defamation of
Religion" ban and not let the right-wing Christians claim this issue for
their own.
mEG
This ban is supposed to make saying anything bad about Islam against
the law. What bullshit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tim Howard
before all the other religions try to adopt the same thing. The there
will be a true religious war with everyone involved.