Australia Pastors Convicted for ‘Vilifying Islam’

[juliagoolia]

CBN.com – Two Christian Pastors in Australia have been found guilty of "vilifying" Islam in a major ruling by a legal tribunal.

snip

The judge decided that the seminar on Islam held by pastors Danny Nalliah and Daniel Scot was hostile and demeaning to Muslims. But Scot and Nalliah say they’ll keep fighting by appealing their case in Australia’s federal court. They hope a judge will strike down Victoria state’s racial and religious tolerance act.

The controversial law allows a person to sue if he feels he’s been humiliated by another race or religion.

http://www.cbn.com/CBNNews/CWN/122404australia_pastors.asp
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This is so fitting. "Madrases"(sp) are not OK even if they are Christian Madrases teaching hate. Good for Australia, we need a similar law here.

I know this might be more than 48 hours but its pretty current and probably missed by other DU users.

[shady lane]

1. This is a crazy law

I agree with you. It means you cannot even read the bible out loud without getting sued for "offending" someone. It will get overuled and thrown out, the same as the Canadian law is being challenged.

[juliagoolia]

2. i do not think we agree

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11717178%255E421,00.html

They were not accused of reading the bible out loud.

"It was done, not in the context of a serious discussion of Muslims' religious beliefs," Judge Higgins said.

"It was presented in a way which is essentially hostile, demeaning and derogatory of all Muslim people, their God, Allah, the prophet Mohammed and in general Muslim religious beliefs and practices."

[damntexdem]

12. Just reporting science, stating political views, ...

and certainly airing religious views are all perceived by some as 'essentially hostile, demeaning and derogatory' of their religions. And believe me, I certainly do intend to be hostile, demaning, and derogatory to the religious nutcases trying to push their religious ideologies into American law.

[pelagius]

3. Sorry, but I think a law like this would be a disaster for America.

These "pastors" are low-life morons who should be exposed for the fools they are, but let them speak their piece.

The only antidote for "too much" free speech is more (and better!) free speech.

[juliagoolia]

4. Ok, what about the schools in Pakistan

and in Saudia Arabia that the USA is having them dismantle. The religious schools? Is that also the same things as good and better free speech, only in this case for Arab Muslims??

[pelagius]

6. I'm not sure I understand your point...

I'm not opposed to religious schools. In fact, I sit on the board of one! Here in the United States, where we have a wise tradition of church and state separation, I do oppose the public financing of religious schools.

In other countries, the educational tradition is different and I'm willing to accept that the American model doesn't always apply.

As I understood it, in your original post, you (a) decried dumb statements made by religious bigots and (b) suggested that the United States needs a law against such statements. I'm with you on (a), but can't endorse (b).

If I've misunderstood you, please accept my apologies and correct me.

[brentspeak]

8. What about them?

You're putting your apples in this thread's oranges.

[vpigrad]

5. Good!

Put all of those hate-mongers in prison.

The freedom of speech ends when you start advocating violence against another.

[pelagius]

7. I didn't see...

...any calls for violence in the reported statements.

[brentspeak]

9. Er, you ARE a Democrat, I hope... n/t

[JohnLocke]

10. Free speech mean anything to you? (nt)

[damntexdem]

11. This is exactly the type of law the Fundies will try to pass.

Then they'll use it against the rest of us, while they freely villify Islam, and anything else that doesn't toe their line.

It's a horrible law. There can be no religious freedom without the right to blasphemy, not to mention the right to criticize religions and their members. Were such a law passed here, I would urge all to break it.

[pelagius]

13. Well said!

There can be no religious freedom without the right to blasphemy, not to mention the right to criticize religions and their members.

Speaking as a Christian, I say "Amen, brother!"

[skippythwndrdog]

14. Another totalitarian law.

Hope it comes off the books soon. The more freedom, the better.