Freedom and Islam

[Piss]

Do the liberal/ left wing users of this site imagine that Imams and Mullahs would allow such discussion were they to gain power here in the UK?

[andy hughes]

No, I don't expect they do, but since that is a purely hypothetical notion, everyone is free to debate as they wish, and are no doubt grateful for that freedom.

[norfolk boy]

Unfortunately andy there is only limited freedom of speech in this country.If you insult various groups you can be arrested.Though the insulting remarks of the one brain cell cretins are not right in a civalised society,however is it right to deny them this freedom of speech.

[andy hughes]

I assumed from the wordking of your question, that you were referring to governmental power, as opposed to 'power' in its generic sense. In the generic sense, then of course they can gain power, but wether or not it makes a significant difference to the way our country lives is debatable.

[andy hughes]

Actually NB, 'insulting' a religious group is not an offence, but inciting racial hatred is an offence, although, as the law stands, Moslems are not at present included in the law, so feel free to insult Moslems as much as you want, but do bear in mind that isolated extremeist clerics do not represent the Moslem faith as a whole, that would be the equiavalent of saying that Gerry Adams or ian Paisley speak for all Christians. Extremism arises from a right to free speech, its continous minority status adds to the argument that people are fundamentally sensible, and keen on a peaceful life.

[TommyC]

Well said, Andy...

[Michael H]

Ditto.