Should Blasphemy be Illegal?

I don't think it should be illegal. I take my freedom of speech seriously and to make that illegal would set a bad precedent. If this were to go into effect, what would be the next thing the government decides we can't speak up about?

Of course, that doesn't mean it's not a douchey thing to do. But I think we should be able to do it if we want.

 

The problem with something like this is that "disrespect to a deity or religion" could mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people, and how are we going to decide what is acceptable and what is not?

I was going to try and play devil's advocate a bit, but I honestly can't come up with any examples of when I'd find a law like this acceptable. It's not like it's actually promoting acceptance or tolerance- people are still going to feel how they feel about other religions, whether or not they're allowed to speak their minds about it. Not wanting to offend people isn't a good enough reason to take rights away.

 

Times were different when the ancient Greeks and Romans worshipped these deities. I don't know what exactly the ancient Greeks and Romans thought about incest, but it's not like it's unheard of, particularly in the past in monarchies in order to preserve bloodlines.

I suppose the reason for this sort of law would be to try and protect people's rights to religion- that no one has to be made to feel ashamed of what they believe in by anyone else. But doing that by not permitting free speech is sacrificing one right for another, which seems stupid to me.

And really, I don't see why anyone should care what anyone else says about their religion. If your belief is sound, I don't see why you would need to concern yourself with detractors.

 

I haven't posted yet. Hm. I don't necessarily think it should be illegalize. But I don't necessarily think you should be able to say whatever you want, whenever you want or in this case 'do'. Silent protest or whatever but the over the top things like burning a Bible, Quran, or a Laozi statue. I think nobody should disrespect anothers religion like that. Maybe a fine would be better than making it illegal.

I wouldn't say no longer.

On the topic of incest, it would seem. It's still acceptable in countries even America most noticeably 1st cousin marriages. I wouldn't be surprised if we were to allow immediate family marriages in the years to come.

 

I think your wrong then! ^_^

Well if you want to believe that every person receives things by a legal and uncoincidental mean then yes. They would have to buy one.

About the issue of burning/destroying a flag or bible. In this country, we have the freedom of religious to express ones religion, not to follow a religion, or to switch ones religion. Disrepecting someone's religion in such a matter as this; I believe to be a form of persecution. And persecution in my opinion is contrary to the right to religion.

Really! It doesn't matter to me whether its your property or not. To buy something then to burn it to make a statement against a religion is again dumb. Like I said, I don't think its okay to do whatever you want just because you have the capability of doing it. A 'fine' isn't really something serious. It'll just discourage some from doing it such as littering. Whatever you want to do in the privacy of your own home is perfectly fine, in most cases. But to deliberately cause an uproar for the point of saying 'f you', shouldn't be done thus I believe must have a repercussion of some sorts.

A fine is the most lenient in my opinion. Maybe a higher action should be taken but I can personally settle for a fine.

I just think if you give people too much freedom. They begin to abuse it. Likewise with the government.

 

I love when people play 'it's freedom of speech' card. Freedom of Speech is not absolute neither should it ever be. There are restrictions on what you can say and do so don't think that its absurd a legislation could be passed regarding Blasphemy to a degree.

That's exactly what it is. A white lie is still lying. Stealing a paper clip is still stealing. Get it! There's petty and there's extreme.

 

No! That would idiotic. You can't regulate that anyway.

Petty things such as a white lies, stealing a paperclip, or saying "Oh God" is nothing to truly bark over or even remotely try to outlaw or prohibit. I was just saying although stealing is stealing. There's a remotely acceptable type and an unacceptable one.

 

@JRose
Truly, I don't pity people. Everyone has their own story and people cope different ways. But no amount of turmoil can excuse a person from doing this or doing that. I think; we use 'mental disorders' and 'self defense' as a crutch sometimes. Not saying that people who have their hand forced should be punished to the full extent of the law but sympathizing with people can lead to misjudgment.

EDIT: It seems more of a personal thing for you then to try and respect everyones' rights.

Yes, it's that little crutch you use for everything to try to excuse ignorance.

I didn't ask you too.

What are you talking about? I did't say we had 'no freedom of speech'.

Slow down Mr.Autocracy. Let me enlighten you.

I really don't know where you have been all your life or what your status is with the outside word. But your freedom of speech is restricted. Censorship, harassment, copyright, anti-bulling legislation all of which restricts freedom of speech.

It's very naive to think you can say anything you want and get away with it.