Defemation of religion, the freedom of speech, and the freedom to offend?

[Xanafax]

You will probably have heard about the new Defamation of Religion law being passed around the UN.

Whilst patently a disgusting attempt from the Muslim capital of the world: Saudi Arabia, to curb the freedoms of the whole world, do they have a point?

Should it be allowed to criticise, mock, or in some way negatively portray a religion?

Now I, personally, believe that yes. The freedom of speech is also the freedom to offend. However I have to wonder sometimes, is it doing any good?

No one would reasonably refute that in the name of religion horrific things are done. The things can range from death threats, marches in the street, political movements, non/violent protests and generally other nasty things like stabbings, shootings, acid-attacks, beheadings, hangings etc...

But does giving people carte blanche to systematically ridicule someone else's closely held beliefs lead us towards a world where religion will not be tolerated in its more serious forms, to a world where religion is just a harmless eccentricity - which is a world I would fight to see - or does it just lead to a world where the Desert Dogmas - Christianity with its holier than thou attitude, Muslims with their backward, desert superstitions, or Jews with their claims to God-Given land - beat the living crap out of each other in the name of something essentially unprovable?

[magi13]

This is scary. Goes to show that some people on top believe in the talking snake.

Here's a link to the article by scoop.
Scoop: UN Bans "Defamation of Religion"

[JSB]

The U.N. is very useful in its role as international clubhouse, allowing a framework for formal and informal contacts between nations, development of international projects/agreements, etc., but it isn't a world government. It has no more real power than its member states choose to grant it. I wouldn't worry about this resolution becoming law anywhere other than places where it's already illegal to say rude things about religion.

Plus, if they really enforced this, how would the states who support it ever stop spewing vile slanderous hatred about the Jews? (No, I'm not talking about legitimate reasoned criticism of the policies of the Israeli government.)

That being said, would it kill someone to not go out of their way to insult another person's sacred beliefs? I don't find insulting religion to be immoral, just petty and inconsiderate, on the same level as farting in an elevator.

[Inthon]

^^ nailed it.

[vMike]

There is a big difference. You can merely offend, or you can preach that all infidels should die. One can hurt the feelings, but the other will incite violence, cause death, destruction and war.

[Pyper900]

Originally Posted by vMike

There is a big difference. You can merely offend, or you can preach that all infidels should die. One can hurt the feelings, but the other will incite violence, cause death, destruction and war.

Excellent point! Is it a move to protect Muslims against free reign mockery, or an attempt to silence the infedels and strengthen their hold on the uneducated third world masses?

Everyone should remember how quickly these same people (and yes, I realise that is generalising) leaps at the opportunity to show their disgust through mockery of almost every move made by the US government in the recent past. If we silence freedome of speech where it affects religious choice, what comes next? Freedom of political affiliation and/or opposition?