The West has lost its freedom of speech

[bellenuit]

There is no greater enemy of Islam than freedom of speech.

+1

Who is Raif Badawi?

https://scarcesense.wordpress.com/2015/01/13/who-is-raif-badawi/

 

[SirRumpole]

Of course, because The Koran (which actually makes up only about 18% of Islamic doctrine and rather less if the mountain of repetition it contains was taken out) teaches two behaviours – one peaceful and the other violent according to circumstances and in the same manner in which Mohammed behaved , viz
“When you are not in a position of power, be quiet and do not draw attention to yourself. Use the time to build up strength and numbers until you become powerful enough to begin Jihad.“

In that case, they have now drawn attention to themselves, but my previous remarks about their chances of success still apply.

 

[Bintang]

In that case, they have now drawn attention to themselves, but my previous remarks about their chances of success still apply.

I wish I could make myself agree with you.

 

[Bintang]

+1

Who is Raif Badawi?

https://scarcesense.wordpress.com/2015/01/13/who-is-raif-badawi/

Once again.... Q.E.D.

 

[Calliope]

If Abbott wants to restore any credibility this is one broken promise he should honour.


Now is the time to say:

‘‘We made a mistake last year when we gave up on getting rid of section 18C. The Coalition is the party that values free speech, not Labor or the Greens.

“And the value of a strong commitment in favour of free speech is that it lets malcontents know that if they want to live in a free, democratic Western society they will just have to learn to live with occasionally being offended. No one gets to play the self-perceived victim. If you think you’re on the right side of an argument, say why. Don’t try to silence others who disagree.

“At the far end of that path lies shooting and stabbing others whose views you don’t like. So all in all being able to go to court to silence views that offend you is a really bad idea.

‘‘Accordingly, this government will honour our promise and introduce legislation to amend s.18C. If Labor or the Greens or the independents and small party senators block it, so be it. At the next election voters can make their choice knowing that the Coalition is the free speech party.’’

This would do wonders in rebuilding support with the government’s core supporters. More importantly, it is the right thing to do, especially when there are people out there who think they can murder people who offend them.

There is plenty of time for the Coalition to romp home at the next election. Putting daylight between itself and Labor on the free speech issue is a good place to start.

And it’s the principled thing to do, too.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/do-the-right-thing-on-free-speech/story-e6frg6n6-1227185063448

 

[SirRumpole]

At the next election voters can make their choice knowing that the Coalition is the free speech party.’’

Strange, I thought the Coalition believe that nothing is free.

 

[Calliope]

Yes. We all know that freedom of speech comes at a price. The price is to devepop cojones.

 

[SirRumpole]

Yes. We all know that freedom of speech comes at a price. The price is to devepop cojones.

The price is to be able to back up your arguments with facts, not just bigotry.

 

[Calliope]

Naturally I agree. Let's have a few of yours, or even opinions, on the aborted repeal of 18C.

 

[Tisme]

Pig is off the menu for writers:

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/t...as-not-to-offend-muslims-or-jews-9976568.html

 

[SirRumpole]

Pig is off the menu for writers:

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/t...as-not-to-offend-muslims-or-jews-9976568.html

So that's why they were going to get rid of Peppa Pig

 

[pixel]

Pig is off the menu for writers:

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/t...as-not-to-offend-muslims-or-jews-9976568.html

That's got to be an Urban Myth, a Porker Par Excellence.
If OUP argue that certain words or concepts diminish their ability to sell books into 150 countries, they'd have to block more topics than just pork and pigs. How about words like "bikini", "gay", or "pill" in books destined for the Vatican. "Goldilocks" would have to be forbidden in just about every Muslim country, lest the thought of a woman's hair incite limitless lust in laddies' loins. And aren't dogs also unclean animals in that particular superstition?

The mind boggles, and I sincerely hope that kind of nonsense stays well away from Australia's shores.

 

[Calliope]

How about words like "bikini", "gay", or "pill" in books destined for the Vatican.

Do you think that these words could affect the microscopic sale of books in the Vatican? Maybe... but rubbishing and denigrating the Vatican and the Pope is probably a more popular pastime than upsetting Muslims, and it would probably enhance the sales of the books elsewhere. Probably not in Islamic countries, where they are averse to gays. bikinis and the pill.

 

[Bintang]

Pig is off the menu for writers:
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/t...as-not-to-offend-muslims-or-jews-9976568.html

That's got to be an Urban Myth, a Porker Par Excellence.

You could be half-right pixel. The article begins by stating – "in an apparent bid to avoid offending Muslims and Jews".

I’m, fairly sure there is no risk of offense to Jews, not when you can find the children’s book “Baxter the Pig Who Wanted to be Kosher” favourably reviewed by the Jewish Book Council



However, I have been searching for the Islamic version of this book without success, i.e. "Baxter, the Pig Who Wanted to Be Halal".

 

[DB008]

Sky News - grow some balls.

 

[Bintang]

Sky News - grow some balls.

Shame on Canada - they need to grow some balls as well

 

[Calliope]

Shame on Canada - they need to grow some balls as well

Section 18C still leaves the door open for similar charges here. I know that we have prejudiced judges here too, but I dont think any of them would be crazy enough to inpose jail time. Even Bolt didn't get jail time, but was convicted because the judge didn't like his "tone" I guess if he had used "tones" like Brazau used he could still be in jail. Of course, the chattering class would love that, but it makes a mockery of freedom of expression.

Mr Abbott, tear down this crazy law!

 

[pixel]

Shame on Canada - they need to grow some balls as well

He said "things like 'I don't like Muslims'."

Unless we know what else he said "like" and in what context, it's easy to jump on the band wagon and cry foul.

Hating all people for their religion is a stupid generalisation. It's akin to Hitler hating all Jews. Who would want that covered under "freedom of speech"?
Rejecting aspects of a particular religion, ideally also offering a rational explanation for having formed such an opinion, would be far more palatable. Many Muslims that I know, as well as Jews and Christians, are only too willing to accept criticism and agree that their respective "Holy Scripture" is in dire need of an update.
Sadly though, these enlightened ones are rarely going public because they have also realised that religious belief is a rather persona "matter of the heart", as opposed to the more fundamental acolytes that feel the need to promote their brand and recruit members into their organisation.

It's the organisations, not the people, that I find appalling.

 

[Bintang]

It's the organisations, not the people, that I find appalling.

If the content of the video is correct and truthful in its entirety then it is the judge who gave this guy jail time who I find appalling.

 

[Calliope]

Rejecting aspects of a particular religion, ideally also offering a rational explanation for having formed such an opinion, would be far more palatable. Many Muslims that I know, as well as Jews and Christians, are only too willing to accept criticism and agree that their respective "Holy Scripture" is in dire need of an update.
Sadly though, these enlightened ones are rarely going public because they have also realised that religious belief is a rather persona "matter of the heart", as opposed to the more fundamental acolytes that feel the need to promote their brand and recruit members into their organisation.

Interesting. These many Muslims who confide in you that they want to update their "holy scripture" are playing a dangerous game. Any Muslim who thinks they can update, rewrite or revise the quran ("the word of god") would be considered an apostate.

Muslims believe the Quran was verbally revealed by God to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel (Jibril), gradually over a period of approximately 23 years, beginning on 22 December 609 CE, when Muhammad was 40, and concluding in 632 CE, the year of his death. Muslims regard the Quran as the most important miracle of Muhammad, a proof of his prophethood, and the culmination of a series of divine messages that started with the messages revealed to Adam and ended with Muhammad. They consider the Quran to be the only revealed book that has been protected by God from distortion or corruption.

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