Calls for Blasphemy Laws to be Repealed

Many calls have been made recently for the ancient blasphemy laws to be repealed, after the government announced new plans to outlaw incitement to religious hatred. Some have expected the repealing of the law, which only applies to Christianity – to be announced in the Queen’s speech last week along with brand new legislation plans to protect all religious beliefs.

However, Home Office minister, Fiona MacTaggart has made the government’s position very clear that it did not plan to give all religions equal protection under blasphemy laws. She commented on BBC Radio 4, “At the moment we have got no plans to deal with blasphemy.” The new law “is not about what you say about faith. It is about whether you incite hatred of people on the basis of their faith.”

Opposing party representative of the Liberal Democrats, MP Evan Harris said in response that many religious people of religions other than Christianity were expecting the new law to be a tool which would put them on an equal legal footing with Christianity. Also that it would give them greater protection against such extreme and controversial incidents as the release of ‘The Satanic Verses’ by Salman Rushdie.

He added that unless the blasphemy law was fully repealed that the freedom of discussing religions would be greatly restricted.

On BBC Radio 4, Harris said, “There is a great deal of worry that such a law will prevent, either directly or indirectly through self-censorship, legitimate criticism of religion, which – given the world we face at the moment – is absolutely critical.”

He continued by saying that repealing the blasphemy law would “send a signal” that the new legislation would be designed in a way that would prevent the incitement of hatred and not inhibit debate.

He concluded, “People of religious views are sensitive and do take offence, but in free society, we need to ensure that people are free to criticise religions and criticise each others religions.”

In a statement by the Home Office to the BBC, it was reported “The priority is to fill the gap in criminal law so that people of all faiths are protected against incitement to religious hatred. It is going to be taken forward in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill. The Home Office will continue to keep blasphemy laws under review but at the moment we have no plans for repeal.”