QOTD

[geekchick]

"To criticise a person for their race is manifestly irrational and ridiculous but to criticise their religion - that is a right. That is a freedom [...]

"The freedom to criticise ideas - any ideas even if they are sincerely held beliefs - is one of the fundamental freedoms of society.

"And the law which attempts to say you can criticise or ridicule ideas as long as they are not religious ideas is a very peculiar law indeed.

"It all points to the promotion of the idea that there should be a right not to be offended. But in my view the right to offend is far more important than any right not to be offended.

"The right to ridicule is far more important to society than any right not to be ridiculed because one in my view represents openness - and the other represents oppression."

      
Rowan Atkinson, on a proposed measure in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill

Comments

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I'm glad SOMEONE is finally saying this! For some reason religious beliefs have become an "untouchable" subject for criticism, which really kills any useful examination or debate regarding the place of religion in public life, in politics, etc.