Atheist charged with blasphemy

[Jasper]

You know that this didn't happen in the states, right?  Liverpool.

Also, will people please stop putting words in my mouth.  There are plenty there already.  I never said he should go to jail and I never said I think that this is a good law to have, I'm saying I won't bother to be outraged in support of his right to make atheism a joke.

Atheism is a joke, just like any other belief system.

Maybe, but they don't know that.

[Doktor Howl]

You know that this didn't happen in the states, right?  Liverpool.

Also, will people please stop putting words in my mouth.  There are plenty there already.  I never said he should go to jail and I never said I think that this is a good law to have, I'm saying I won't bother to be outraged in support of his right to make atheism a joke.

Atheism is a joke, just like any other belief system.

Maybe, but they don't know that.

That just makes it funnier.

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

All I'm saying is he should try to cover his arse with "I was trying to stir debate/I was challenging people's beliefs". He should say "I think Christians are stupid and thus I made fun of them."

Should be protected speech. He should absolutely have the freedom to make fun of people that believe in invisible sky daddies... but he shouldn't try to make it a noble attempt at debate.

He fails at having the balls to be honest.

The UK fails at understanding freedom of speech.

[Jasper]

Uk law on freedom of speech:

The right can be restricted where it is justified in the public interest, for example where national security concerns prevail (see the case of Ponting) or where countervailing interests of privacy, public order or religious tolerance must take priority. In addition, the law may also require that in certain situations information is kept confidential or may place a restriction on its dissemination. This is the case of the confidentiality and defamation laws, as well as the offence of contempt of court. Television, radio and other broadcast media are also subject to legal regulation (see for example the Press Complaints Commission and Ofcom).

This law sucks.

[Doktor Howl]

Uk law on freedom of speech:

The right can be restricted where it is justified in the public interest, for example where national security concerns prevail (see the case of Ponting) or where countervailing interests of privacy, public order or religious tolerance must take priority. In addition, the law may also require that in certain situations information is kept confidential or may place a restriction on its dissemination. This is the case of the confidentiality and defamation laws, as well as the offence of contempt of court. Television, radio and other broadcast media are also subject to legal regulation (see for example the Press Complaints Commission and Ofcom).

This law sucks.

If the right can be restricted, it's a privilege.

[Jasper]

Yup.

I am momentarily taken aback to, for once, be looking at a law that I like less than the US equivalent.

[Doktor Howl]

Yup.

I am momentarily taken aback to, for once, be looking at a law that I like less than the US equivalent.

Three words:  First.  Amendment.  Zones.

[Jasper]

  OH SONOVA-

[Jasper]

...Hey, can anybody set one of those up?

[Doktor Howl]

...Hey, can anybody set one of those up?

Dunno.  Try it.

I think it's time to resurrect the Temporary Autonomous Zone idea.  In a big way.

[Elder Iptuous]

I thought the temporary autonomous zone was just a mental excercise that relied on being caught, in the case of doing anything verboten....
???

[Triple Zero]

You know that this didn't happen in the states, right?  Liverpool.

But it's also not okay if it happens in Liverpool...

Also, will people please stop putting words in my mouth.  There are plenty there already.  I never said he should go to jail and I never said I think that this is a good law to have, I'm saying I won't bother to be outraged in support of his right to make atheism a joke.

Well, the article says he is facing a maximum of 7 years in prison.

And since you were agreeing with the article, I figured you were also agreeing with sending the guy to prison over this.

If not, then, what is your point?

Fine him 50 eurobucks for being an asshole? Sure, why not.

[Jasper]

You just quoted my point.  I think the guy's a tard, and I wish he didn't get caught doing stupid shit in the name of atheism, because it helps them establish the legal precedent for further outspoken atheists to get put in jail.

[Bruno]

Who determines which religions are protected?

If someone writes offensive Star Wars fanfic, can followers of the Jedi religion press charges?

[Jasper]

No (legal) reason why not.