Xipe Totec
Something nasty in the woodshed
Not really I've got a good solicitor
You need to read more poetry.
Free speech
- Thread starter Ianonabike
- Start date
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You need to read more poetry.
AuroraSaab
Pharaoh
It's the Qur'an burning case. The book burner was fined for an aggravated public order offence; the man who was on video assaulting him and brandishing a knife pleaded guilty to an assault charge and got a suspended 20 week sentence.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce9v4e0z9r8o.amp
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xr12yx5l4o.amp
So not really getting away with it but seems a relatively light sentence. People get similar just for being in possession of a knife, never mind chasing a guy round with it.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce9v4e0z9r8o.amp
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xr12yx5l4o.amp
So not really getting away with it but seems a relatively light sentence. People get similar just for being in possession of a knife, never mind chasing a guy round with it.
AuroraSaab
Pharaoh
And of course burning any book shouldn't be an offence either, however upset it makes other people.
Psamathe
Veteran
I didn't think burning a book was an offence. I don't think said individual was pursued because he was burning a book but rather other aspects to him behaviour and what he was doing.
eg There is no law stopping me setting fire to the contents of my bin in my garden. But set fire to a bin and throw it at a hotel with intend to hard those inside and you get arrested for other aspects of what you are doing.
AuroraSaab
Pharaoh
He was burning a religious book and shouting insulting comments about a religion. Insulting, offensive, insensitive, but it shouldn't be a crime in my opinion, regardless of which religion or belief system it is. We did away with blasphemy laws a while ago and we shouldn't in effect be reintroducing them by the back door.
Psamathe
Veteran
Maybe intent and nature is relevant. Had he been burning "The Ladybird Book Of Trains" he would probably not have been arrested ie no law against burning books. Had he been standing presenting an orderly talk about his beliefs then I doubt he would have been arrested ie no laws about blasphemy.
C R
Guru
I fail to see why a religious text should get any more respect than a book about trains. Trains at least are useful.
AuroraSaab
Pharaoh
If he'd been burning Mein Kampf and insulting the Nazis would he have been charged? Or a zodiac book and slagging off Astrology? Unless he was actively inciting violence - which he wasn't in the reports I've read - it's a mistake to give taking offence priority over freedom of speech.
Bromptonaut
Rohan Man
- Location
- Bugbrooke, Northants
I agree with that.
The offence here wasn't about burning the book per se. Offender did so in a way that the they knew was going to provoke a reaction from others.
CXRAndy
Squire
If you're not committing an offence, others reaction is no reason to be arrested or charged
Bromptonaut
Rohan Man
- Location
- Bugbrooke, Northants
It is if you intend to cause offence. In other words it's the intention to provoke a response that's the problem, not the burning itself.
Bromptonaut
Rohan Man
- Location
- Bugbrooke, Northants
Your opinion, shouted from under the bridge.
The law says otherwise.
If you don't like the law campaign to get it changed.
AuroraSaab
Pharaoh
Deliberately eating a pork pie in front of a Jew or Muslim might be intended to cause offence. Wearing a Satanic design t shirt to a church wedding might also be. None of them should be a criminal offence and other laws shouldn't be manipulated to make it one.
