Category - blasphemy

Laws against blasphemy are an offence

Press Office — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:12:33 +0100

Commenting on the passing into Irish law of an offence of "blasphemous libel", Simon Barrow, co-director of the religion, society and politics thinktank Ekklesia, said:

Outrage as Ireland makes blasphemous libel a crime

staff writers — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:07:16 +0100

Irish President Mary McAleese has signed into law the Defamation Act, which includes clauses that create the offence of "blasphemous libel". Civil rights campaigners are dismayed.

Religious Defamation

Jordan Tchilingirian — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:11:58 +0000

Start: 01/03/2009 - 14:00

End: 01/03/2009 - 15:30

A year after the repeal of blasphemy from English law, religious defamation laws are tightening their grip on the world, with the apparent support of the United Nations.

Woman prosecutes art centre over 'lewd' Jesus statue

staff writers — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:51:09 +0100

A Christian is taking an art centre to court over an exhibition which included a statue of Jesus she believes was lewd and offensive. Civil rights activists say this is an attempt to reinstate blasphemy laws by the back door.

Civil rights activists criticise UN religious defamation resolution

staff writers — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:53:23 +0100

Civil rights organisations and national leaders are expressing alarm at a United Nations General Assembly resolution that demands respect for religion but which critics say has been used to justify suppression of religious minorities.

Churches to meet with Muslim leaders in Denmark

Ecumenical News International — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:21:47 +0100

With tensions running high on blasphemy and other issues, church leaders in Denmark say they will seek further conversations with their Muslim counterparts following the open letter by 138 prominent Islamic scholars.

Churches consulted as abolition of blasphemy law takes a step forward

staff writers — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 08:20:26 +0000

The Prime Minister's office has said that it will consult Britain's churches over the scrapping of the country's blasphemy laws, after the principled need to do so was strengthened by a tabled amendment in the House of Commons.

Pakistan elections rescheduled amid fears of minorities

staff writers — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:29:04 +0000

Pakistan's elections, originally scheduled for 8 January, will now take place on 18 February, the authorities have announced amid widespread scepticism. Campaigners for Christian and other minorities fear for the future.

Christians and Humanists welcome High Court’s decision on blasphemy

staff writers — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 19:10:35 +0000

The decision by the High Court not to allow a prosecution against BBC Director-General Mark Thompson for blasphemy to go ahead has been welcomed by Christians and Humanists. Stephen Green of the group Christian Voice, had attempted to prosecute Mark Thompson

British Muslims join protests at Sudan 'teddy' conviction

staff writers — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:51:33 +0000

As schoolteacher Gillian Gibbons' lawyers prepare an appeal against a 15-day jail sentence imposed in Sudan over the naming of a teddy bear, Muslims in Britain have joined in condemning the decision and calling for clemency.