Repeal of British Blasphemy Laws Urged

Ekklesia yesterday reported that the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, has said that the UK’s blasphemy laws – which protect only Christians – are redundant and should go. Ekklesia, a UK Christian think tank agrees, and the Church of England is unlikely to oppose the proposal if other protections are in place. Ekklesia says that granting special privileges to Christianity does not help it, and restricts the free flow of argument needed on religious issues. Originally, the government had proposed an end to the blasphemy laws as part of its proposal to enact Britain's controversial Racial and Religious Hatred bill which is now also before the House of Lords. (See prior posting.) Subsequently, the government changed its mind. The proposal to repeal the blasphemy laws is being introduced in the House of Lords by Lord Avebury, a respected and long-standing campaigner for human rights, refugees and freedom of speech.