Devon Humanists

10 December 2007

Article for consideration by Janette Menday

Did you get a Teddy Bear for Christmas?

What have we learnt from the recent teddy bear ordeal of middle-aged schoolteacher Gillian Gibbons in Sudan?

Firstly, some Sudanese children are now in no doubt that any slight on their religion, no matter how naïve or well intentioned, will result in punishment. Fear always helps to keep the masses in line. It intimidates those who don’t agree and gives the faithful a sense of power, self-righteousness and ‘belonging’ for displaying their faith.

But secondly, we have learnt that blasphemy is an obscure law that should have no place in a civilised society that prides itself on freedom of speech, tolerance and equality. However, are you aware that Britain still has such an ancient law, protecting the Christian god Yahweh from insult? Interestingly in 1838 this protection was restricted to the tenets and beliefs of the Church of England so it now only applies to the protestant god and not to the catholic!

Now before the religious hounds start howling, remember that our current politicians are working feverishly to obtain religious equality in this country. Although multi-culturism is no longer fashionable, diversity is. Politicians are spending taxpayers’ money on building new faith schools for the Christian, Muslim and Sikh faiths. If diversity is the latest fad, then logically the blasphemy law should be extended to include all religions. What chaos might this lead to? For example, what would happen if, with typical British humour following the teddy bear episode in Sudan, a Devon farmer called his new boar Mohammed?

Take heart - there is a more logical and reasonable option. To repeal the blasphemy law altogether so that our freedom of speech is protected and all faiths and beliefs, including humanism, are made equal.

Following the failed attempt by Christian evangelists to prosecute the BBC for blasphemy over the show Jerry Springer – the Opera, the QC Mark Mullins representing Christian Voice said, “It is tantamount to saying that blasphemy is of little, if any, relevance in today’s society.”

Spot on Mr Mullins. I could not agree more.

In 2001 Home Secretary David Blunkett said a moment would come when it would be time to confine blasphemy to history.

For those wanting that time to be now, there is a petition on the Downing Street website calling for the blasphemy law to be repealed – see http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/revokeblasphemy. There is also a petition to offer asylum and sanctuary to all those accused of blasphemy in their home countries where they may face execution – see http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/sanctuary

North Devon Humanists meet every third Thursday in The Inn on the Square, Barnstaple [new venue: Fremington Parish Hall Annexe] at 7.30 pm for a couple of hours of debate and welcome everyone and all opinions. Next meeting is 17 January. Please call Keith Denby on 01598 763455 for more information.