Russian Parliament Passes New Blasphemy Law

[naomi24]

http://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2013/06/russian-parliament-passes-new-blasphemy-law-as-protesters-call-for-secular-state

Why? This can only be a retrograde step, surely?

[emmie]

it is, shouldn't it be let those who wish to remain atheists, outside of any religion get on with their lives and those who wish to follow their specific religion do so, without fear of harm, reprisals for talking about, debating the points of view, i can't see what harm it does to say i don't care for Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and debating the points, it seems ludicrously heavy handed.

[Octavius]

From the link it seems to be that they can go about their general athiest, christian, jewish, islamic lifestyles, providing they don't offend or desecrate religious sensitivities. Only those that 'go out of their way' to insult religion will be prosecuted. Isn't that pretty much the same here?

I suppose it could be a worry for the AB Anti-theists based in Russia.

[jno]

a continuing reaction to the Stalin years, when atheists busied themselves executing believers. No suggestion now that blasphemers will be killed, so it's clear this is a more tolerant regime than that of gosateizm.

For ciriticing Putin, however, no penalty could be too harsh.

[Octavius]

That bear wrestling horse riding piece of man hunk has been placed on this planet for the purposes of fawning adulation. Any less would require your removal from society.

[keyplus90]

At least one more country has learnt that secularism did not good to the lives of the common people there. As for the law and as Octavius mentioned, that as long as someone is going about their daily life then there are no worries attached. No one should spread hate in the name of freedom of speech as freedom of speech should never be freedom to insult whoever you wish and however you wish. Well done Russia for showing the world that does not matter how you believe in God, but you may not go far without believing in one.

[Octavius]

"Well done Russia for showing the world that does not matter how you believe in God, but you may not go far without believing in one."

Well I can't agree with that. A society that encourages all beliefs and non beliefs to coexist without fear and reprisal from either side is the preference surely?

[keyplus90]

I don’t care if someone dislikes it but personally I have always liked Russia for their principles. And more so since the invasion of Afghanistan by USA & CO. Being a Pakistani, I know that during the Russian invasion of Afghanistan whole tribal areas of Pakistan had become a training camp from then known heroes and Mujahidin from all over the world, who Americans supplied training and weapons with the help of Pakistani army and ISI before pushing them into Afghanistan to go and fight against Russia as it was a Jihad. Still Russians did not fire a SINGLE BULLET into those areas and respected the sovereignty of Pakistan. And now only because invaders are different so the fight there for the freedom has become terrorism, and every day American drones ( and so much more) are attacking and killing innocent people in a country that is standing shoulder to shoulder and are supposed to be allies who have lost over 50K people (including over 22K security personnel), whole country has been destroyed economically, socially, and somewhat geographically, in a war that is simply not their war.

Sorry to put this here as it has nothing to do with the question.

[Octavius]

You are right, it has nothing to do with the question.

And you didn't answer mine.

[Khandro]

The law is aimed at //"intentional" and "public" displays that cause "offense to religious sensibilities," and up to three years in jail for desecrating religious sites and paraphernalia".//
Why should anybody have problem with that?

[LazyGun]

Massively retrograde step. Religions special pleading demanding legal protections to protect their delicate sensibilities. It amounts to curtailment of free speech and free expression.Under laws like this, the danish cartoonist responsible for the mohammed cartoons would be facing jail time. Salman Rushdie would be looking at jail time for writing "The Satanic Verses". Burning a book would be an offence.

[sandyRoe]

It's clear that the authorities don't think the laws on hooliganism draconian enough.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/17/world/europe/russia-pussy-riot-trial

[Octavius]

Either that or this is part of Putins three step plan to full god status.

[sandyRoe]

Demi-God, surely? He's a bit on the wee side.

[Octavius]

Them's dangerous words Sandy. People have been stabbed with a poisoned umbrella for less.

[sandyRoe]

They don't impale people on poisoned brollies now. It's much more civilised. They invite you for tea in some post hotel and poison your tea with radioactive material.

[Khandro]

LG; What would it take for someone to 'intentionally offend your sensibilities' ?

[LazyGun]

Lots can offend my sensibilities, Khandro - many of your posts,for a start - does not mean I would expect the Law to intervene and lock up you, or anyone else who might express an opinion or write a book or draw a cartoon, or stage a public demonstration that I find offensive.

There was a very public demonstration in London at the time of the outraged sensibilities of some vocal muslims over the danish mohammed cartoons. We had muslim activists attending organised marches on the streets of London, holding placards calling for death to the cartoonists, others calling for the beheadings of anyone who insulted islam. Those placards and that sentiment offended my sensibilities, but I would not lock them up for carrying the placards that were offensive. It might be considered under a separate charge of incitement to murder though...

[naomi24]

Khandro, //The law is aimed at "intentional" and "public" displays that cause "offense to religious sensibilities," //

Bearing in mind what LG has just said, perhaps you would agree that a law banning free speech altogether would be more appropriate. Then no one's sensibilities would be offended.

[Khandro]

LG; No doubt many things may offend your sensibilities - including some of my (and other's) posts. What I asked was 'intentionally', which is quite different.

[naomi24]

Khandro, and that’s what I meant too. You can hardly claim that the actions of the people that LG has described, are unintentional.