Scotland is set to modernise its blasphemy law

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See article from theguardian.com

Scotland’s justice secretary Humza Yousaf said the blasphemy law in Scotland would be modernised to cover discrimination against religion. Yousaf said the law would also cover discrimination against age, disability, race and sexual orientation. He said: By creating robust laws for the justice system, parliament will send a strong message to victims, perpetrators, communities and to wider society that offences motivated by prejudice will be treated seriously and will not be tolerated. Blasphemy laws were repealed in England and Wales in 2008.

A Major lack of Perspective…Recently unlocked government papers show that prime minister John Major wanted Britain to derogate the European Convention on Human Rights so as to be able to continue to ban Visions of Ecstasy

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See  article from patheos.com

Newly-released government papers reveal that prime minister John Major considered abrogating from the European Convention on Human Rights if it ruled against Britain in a case involving the film Visions of Ecstasy being banned for blasphemy — Visions of Ecstasy. Documents also revealed that Major was an admirer of Mary Whitehouse.Nigel Wingrove’s 18-minute film depicted Carmelite nun St Teresa’s sexual fantasies about Jesus on the cross, and it was banned by the BBFC, making it the first and only film to be banned in the UK for blasphemy. When film director Wingrove applied to challenge the ban at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), arguing it breached his freedom of expression, Major responded in a document dated August 1994 sent to senior government figures. Major wrote: I must make it clear that I would not tolerate a position which required the Government or the BBFC to grant a certificate to this film or to others of a similar type. This is a matter on which I feel sufficiently strongly to be prepared to consider a derogation from the European Convention on Human Rights if that were to be necessary in the final analysis. I must say I find the position in which we find ourselves wholly unacceptable. In a reply, then Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd warned about doing anything likely to weaken the fabric of the convention, adding that: We cannot, in practice, derogate from it except in cases of war or threats to the life of the nation. Actually it turned out that the UK’s blasphemy laws were backed by the ECHR when it threw out Wingate’s challenge two years later. Visions of Ecstacy was finally given an 18-rated certificate in 2012 after the common law offence of blasphemous libel was abolished in England and Wales in 2008.

Having faith in the alternative laws available to prosecute blasphemy…Ireland published legislation to repeal its blasphemy law

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Ireland’s Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has published legislation to repeal the country’s constitutional blasphemy law The Thirty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018 will be debated in the Oireachtas in September and it is intended that the referendum will take place in October. Its removal will bring Ireland into line with internationally accepted norms. (ie where ‘blasphemy’ can be prosecuted under different laws) The minister also said he hoped that debate around the referendum will be conducted in a calm and inclusive manner and that he does not believe that this matter is especially controversial.

Burning passion for free speech…Denmark repeals its blasphemy law and drops a prosecution for Quran burning

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A Danish man who posted a video of himself burning the Quran on Facebook will not stand trial after politicians abolished an outdated blasphemy law.The man was seen setting a large leather-bound copy of the holy book alight in a four-minute clip called Consider your neighbour: it stinks when it burns. He faced up to four months in prison after prosecutors were alerted to the footage, which was posted to a Facebook group called Yes to freedom — no to Islam in December 2015. They brought blasphemy charges under clause 140 of Denmark’s penal code, which bars people from publicly insulting or degrading religious doctrines or worship. But the case has been dropped after Danish MPs revoked the 334-year-old legislation, and declared they do not believe that there should be special rules protecting religions against expressions. MP Bruno Jerup told the Jyllands-Posten newspaper: Religion should not dictate what is allowed and what is forbidden to say publicly.  It gives religion a totally unfair priority in society. Threatening or degrading behaviour based on people’s religious beliefs will still be punishable under other Danish laws.

Ending the god given right to ban the criticism of religion…Petitioners call for the abolition of Denmark’s blasphemy law

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See article from opendemocracy.net

Denmark’s blasphemy ban was recently revived when a man was charged for burning the Quran. Signatories argue that an expression grossly offensive to religious believers merits protection as peaceful ‘free speech’. We the undersigned respectfully urge the Danish Parliament to vote in favour of bill L 170 repealing the blasphemy ban in section 140 of the Danish criminal code, punishing “Any person who, in public, ridicules or insults the dogmas or worship of any lawfully existing religious community”. Denmark is recognized as a global leader when it comes to the protection of human rights and freedom of expression. However, Denmark’s blasphemy ban is manifestly inconsistent with the Danish tradition for frank and open debate, and puts Denmark in the same category as illiberal states where blasphemy laws are being used to silence dissent and persecute minorities. The recent decision to charge a man — who had burned the Quran — for violating section 140 for the first time since 1971, demonstrates that the blasphemy ban is not merely of symbolic value. It represents a significant retrograde step in the protection of freedom of expression in Denmark. The Danish blasphemy ban is incompatible with both freedom of expression and equality before the law. There is no compelling reason why the feelings of religious believers should receive special protection against offense. In a vibrant and pluralistic democracy, all issues must be open to even harsh and scathing debate, criticism and satire. While the burning of holy books may be grossly offensive to religious believers it is nonetheless a peaceful form of symbolic expression that must be protected by free speech. Numerous Danes have offended the religious feelings of both Christians and Muslims without being charged under section 140. This includes a film detailing the supposed erotic life of Jesus Christ, the burning of the Bible on national TV and the publication of cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammed. The Cartoon affair landed Denmark in a storm of controversy and years of ongoing terrorist threats against journalists, editors and cartoonists. When terror struck in February 2015 the venue was a public debate on blasphemy and free speech. In this environment Denmark must maintain that in a liberal democracy laws protect those who offend from threats, not those who threaten from being offended. In this environment Denmark must maintain that in a liberal democracy laws protect those who offend from threats, not those who threaten from being offended.Retaining the blasphemy ban is also incompatible with Denmark’s human rights obligations. In April 2017 Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagtland emphasized that “blasphemy should not be deemed a criminal offence as the freedom of conscience forms part of freedom of expression”. This position is shared by the UN’s Human Rights Committee and the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Expression and Religion. Since 2014,The Netherlands, Norway, Iceland and Malta have all abolished blasphemy bans. By going against this trend Denmark will undermine the crucial European and international efforts to repeal blasphemy bans globally. This has real consequences for human beings, religious and secular, around the globe. In countries like Pakistan, Mauritania, Iran, Indonesia and Russia blasphemy bans are being used against minorities and political and religious dissenters. Denmark’s blasphemy ban can be used to legitimize such laws. In 2016 the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief pointed out that “During a conference held in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) [in 2015], the Danish blasphemy provision was cited by one presenter as an example allegedly indicating an emerging international customary law on “combating defamation of religions”. Blasphemy laws often serve to legitimize violence and terror. In Pakistan, Nigeria and Bangladesh free thinkers, members of religious minorities and atheists have been killed by extremists. In a world where freedom of expression is in retreat and extremism on the rise, democracies like Denmark must forcefully demonstrate that inclusive, pluralistic and tolerant societies are built on the right to think, believe and speak freely. By voting to repeal the blasphemy ban Denmark will send a clear signal that it stands in solidarity with the victims and not the enforcers of blasphemy laws. Jacob Mchangama, Executive director, Justitia Steven Pinker, Professor Harvard University Ahmedur Rashid Chowdhury, Exiled editor of Shuddhashar, 2016 winner International Writer of Courage Award Pascal Bruckner, Author Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Human Rights Activist Founder of AHA Foundation, Dr. Elham Manea, academic and human rights advocate (Switzerland) Sultana Kamal, Chairperson, Centre for Social Activism Bangladesh Deeyah Khan, CEO @Fuuse & founder @sister_hood_mag. Fatou Sow, Women Living Under Muslim Laws William Nygaard, Publisher Flemming Rose, Author and journalist Jodie Ginsberg, CEO, Index on Censorship Kenan Malik, Author of From Fatwa to Jihad Thomas Hughes, Executive Director Article 19 Suzanne Nossel, executive director of PEN America Pragna Patel – Director of Southall Black Sisters Leena Krohn, Finnish writer Jeanne Favret-Saada, Honorary Professor of Anthropology, Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Maryam Namazie, Spokesperson, Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain Fariborz Pooya, Host of Bread and Roses TV Frederik Stjernfelt, Professor, University of Aalborg in Copenhagen Marieme Helie Lucas, Secularism Is A Women’s Issue Michael De Dora, Director of Government Affairs, Center for Inquiry Robyn Blumner, President & CEO, Center for Inquiry Nina Sankari, Kazimierz Lyszczynski Foundation (Poland). Sonja Biserko, Founder and president of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia James Lindsay, Author Mahal Mali, Publisher and editor, Areo Magazine Julie Lenarz – Executive Director, Human Security Centre, London Terry Sanderson President, National Secular Society Greg Lukianoff, CEO and President, FIRE Thomas Cushman, Professor Wellesley College Nadine Strossen, John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law, New York Law School Simon Cottee, the Freedom Project, Wellesley College Paul Cliteur, professor of Jurisprudence at Leiden University Lino Veljak, University of Zagreb, Croatia Lalia Ducos, Women’s Initiative for Citizenship and Universals Rights , WICUR Lepa Mladjenovic, LC, Belgrade Elsa Antonioni, Casa per non subire violenza, Bologna Bobana Macanovic, Autonomos Women’s Center, Director, Belgrade Harsh Kapoor, Editor, South Asia Citizens Web Mehdi Mozaffari, Professor Em., Aarhus University, Denmark Øystein Rian, Historian, Professor Emeritus University of Oslo Kjetil Jakobsen, Professor Nord University Scott Griffen, Director of Press Freedom Programmes International Press Institute (IPI) Henryk Broder, Journalist David Rand, President, Libres penseurs athées, Atheist freethinkers Tom Herrenberg, Lecturer University of Leiden Simone Castagno, Coordinamento Liguria Rainbow Laura Caille, Secretary General Libres Mariannes General Andy Heintz, writer Bernice Dubois, Conseil Européen des Fédérations WIZO

Why are people so ready to believe ludicrous claims?…Irish police investigate Stephen Fry for blasphemy over an old TV programme highlighting the nastiness and injustice of God

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Police in Ireland are investigating a complaint of blasphemy regarding comments made by Stephen Fry on a television programme shown on Ireland’s state broadcaster, RTE in 2015?.Under Ireland’s Defamation Act 2009 a person who publishes or utters blasphemous material shall be guilty of an offence . While being interviewed on The Meaning of Life TV programme, Fry was asked what he would say to God if he had a chance. Fry replied: I’d say ‘Bone cancer in children, what’s that about?’ How dare you create a world in which there is such misery that is not our fault. It’s not right. It’s utterly, utterly evil. Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid god who creates a world which is so full of injustice and pain? Fry’s humerous and powerful reply on YouTube has been viewed more than seven million times. A member of the public, who asked not to be identified, said he made the complaint against Fry more than two years ago at Ennis garda station in County Clare. After hearing nothing for 18 months, the complainant wrote to the head of the Irish police, Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan. The man was then contacted by a detective from Donnybrook garda station in Dublin to say they were looking into the blasphemy claim.

Keeping Blasphemy Law Out of Europe…European Parliament passed 2 resolutions opposing any attempts to establish blasphemy laws

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See article from maltatoday.com.mt

On 13 June, MEPs voted in favour of 2 resolutions to set the EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief, which explicitly mention the need to protect the rights of both believers and non-believers and oppose any attempt to criminalise freedom of expression on religious grounds. The first resolution ( 2011/2081(INI) ), focusing on press freedom: Recognizes that governments have the primary responsibility for guaranteeing and protecting freedom of the press and media. The resolution also points out that governments also have the primary responsibility for hampering freedom of the press and media and, in the worst cases, are increasingly resorting to legal pressures in order to restrict that freedom, e.g. through the abuse of anti-terrorism or anti-extremism legislation and laws on national security, treason or subversion. The EP endorses a balance between the concerns of national security and press freedom. The resolution goes further to deplore the fact that journalists are frequently wounded or murdered or are being subjected to serious abuses throughout the world, often with impunity, and stresses the importance of combating impunity. The second resolution ( 2013/2082(INI) ), centering on religious freedom, endorses the firm opposition of any attempt to criminalise freedom of speech in relation to religious issues, such as blasphemy laws. The EP predictably condemns all forms of violence and discrimination, but goes further to emphasize that particular attention should be paid to the situation of those who change their religion or belief, as in practice they are subject in a number of countries to social pressure, intimidation or outright violence.

Visions of Ecstasy…Now resurrected on UK DVD

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See more at Melon Farmers cuts details: Visions of Ecstasy

Visions of Ecstasy is a 1989 UK erotic short by Nigel Wingrove. With Louise Downie, Elisha Scott and Dan Fox. See IMDb Passed 18 uncut for nudity and sex involving religious images for: UK 2012 4Digital/Redemption R2 DVD at UK Amazon released today, 2nd April 2012 Previously Banned Previously banned by the BBFC for: UK 1989 Axel VHS The BBFC decision was subsequently appealed to the Video Appeals Committee who upheld the ban. The decision was later confirmed by the European Court. DVD Features Included with this historic film is a 40 page, booklet written by the films director, Nigel Wingrove, in which he explains how the film came to be made, the effect its banning had on his life and future work, and how his continuing battles against film censorship led eventually to the resignation of the BBFC’s then director, James Ferman, the legalisation of pornography and a general relaxations of film classification overall. Also included on this DVD are the director s first erotic short film, Axel (1986) and his nunsploitation feature, Sacred Flesh (2000), in which a Mother Superior struggles with her sexual desires in a series of imagined dialogues with Mary Magdalene will her mind torments her with images of sexual perversion, lesbianism and sadomasochism. Sacred Flesh was cut by 25s by the BBFC when it was submitted in 2000. Additional extras include extensive stills, press gallery and interviews.

Blasphemy at the BBFC…A new page of occasional news and detailed BBFC cuts or bans in the name of religious offence

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See Detailed Cuts: Blasphemy at the BBFC

Thankfully religion doesn’t feature very often in British film censorship decisions. However the few instances that have been spotted to date have been gathered together onto this page. Cuts and bans for blasphemy have been recorded for the following films: Belladonna: My Ass is Haunted. 2004 US adult video by Belladonna. The Big Bang. 1987 France/Belgium animated comedy Sci-Fi by Picha Catacombs. 1988 Italy/US horror by David Schmoeller. The Devils. 1971 UK drama by Ken Russell The Last Temptation of Christ. 1988 US/Canada drama by Martin Scorsese. Multiple Maniacs. 1970 US comedy crime film by John Waters. Visions of Ecstasy. 1989 UK erotic short by Nigel Wingrove. See Detailed Cuts: Blasphemy at the BBFC

Visions of Ecstasy…The Resurrection

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Thanks to Jon See more at Melon Farmers cuts details: Visions of Ecstasy

Visions of Ecstasy is a 1989 UK erotic short by Nigel Wingrove. With Louise Downie, Elisha Scott and Dan Fox. See IMDb Passed 18 uncut for nudity and sex involving religious images for: UK 2012 4Digital/Redemption R2 DVD at UK Amazon for release 26th March 2012 Previously Banned Previously banned by the BBFC for: UK 1989 Axel VHS The BBFC decision was subsequently appealed to the Video Appeals Committee who upheld the ban. DVD Features Included with this historic film is a 40 page, booklet written by the films director, Nigel Wingrove, in which he explains how the film came to be made, the effect its banning had on his life and future work, and how his continuing battles against film censorship led eventually to the resignation of the BBFC’s then director, JamesFerman, the legalisation of pornography and a general relaxations of film classification overall. Also included on this DVD are the director s first erotic short film, Axel (1986) and his nunsploitation feature, Sacred Flesh (2000), in which a Mother Superior struggles with her sexual desires in a series of imagined dialogues with Mary Magdalene will her mind torments her with images of sexual perversion, lesbianism and sadomasochism. Sacred Flesh was cut by 25s by the BBFC when it was submitted in 2000. Additional extras include extensive stills, press gallery and interviews.