Posted on 06/29/2007 8:30:21 AM PDT by Eurotwit
Strasbourg (dpa) - Responding to the scandal caused by caricatures of the prophet Mohammed, the European Council intends to strengthen its efforts to prevent hatred and violence against religious groups, it stated in a resolution passed in Strasbourg Friday.
The resolution, which was passed with a large majority, also said that "criticism of religious groups should be tolerated in democratic societies."
However, the council put a limit on religious criticism and freedom of opinion: it was not allowed to incite hatred, disturb the public order or be targeted at members of religious groups.
The incitement of hatred and violence against religious groups was to be punished in the 47 member states of the European Council, the resolution said.
Germany already has laws to that effect, and offending religious convictions is punishable.
Enlightened Islamic religious communities in Western countries could play an important role in the fight against extremism, legislators from the Netherlands and from Scandinavia said.
"They could help to protect youths from seduction by fundamentalists and to fight customs such as forced marriages," Dutch socialist Anja Meulenbelt said.
So far, one had expected Muslim immigrants in European countries to adapt to local customs in a one-sided way, she said. That had to change, she added. "Racism can easily hide behind the protective wall of religious criticism."
Independent Russian legislator Anatoly Korobejnikov said Muslims would soon be in a majority in Western Europe due to demographic developments. He demanded more religious studies lessons in schools, which would not interfere with the separation of State and Church.
"The Church might be separate from the State, but not from society," he said. In this way, dialogue between Christians, Muslims and other religious groups could be fostered.
Ok...
“So far, one had expected Muslim immigrants in European countries to adapt to local customs in a one-sided way, she said. That had to change, she added.”
Perhaps this is one of the local customs the Dutch should adopt to and accept:
“Dozens of boys and girls have been systematically abused, intimidated and molested by a group of older boys in the Utrecht neighbourhood of Overvecht for almost a year, the Telegraaf reports.”
http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=19&story_id=41308
Or perhaps this:
Dramatic rise in school violence in Berlin
Berlin (dpa) - Violence at schools in immigrant-dominated districts of Berlin has soared in recent months, with the opposition Christian Democratic Union Party (CDU) accusing the city government of turning a blind eye to the violence at the city’s educational facilities.
http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=26&story_id=41288
Isn't that the essential oxymoron?
Criticism of religious groups is now permitted it’s just illegal.
If this weren't so disgusting it would be hillarious.
Caricatures of Mohammed are a scandal. Muslims cutting the heads off of live non-Muslims as the scream out in pain - nothing to see here... move along. Just the Religion-O-Peace doing it's thing.
This story really made my blood boil.
On the same day that islamics have just attempted mass murder in London, they come up with this.
Our leaders are traitors of our Western civilization.
I used to reject such claims as hyperbole, but no longer...
Cheers.
Kissing freedom goodbye.
Wanna know where you are headed America? Read the latest.
“...criticism and freedom of opinion: it was not allowed to incite hatred, disturb the public order or be targeted at members of religious groups...[sic]”
This in fact gives muslim groups an effective veto over what is protected free speech.
Kiss freedom goodbye alright.
Except off course it has been happening for a good while already.
Cheers.
Absolutely. They are systematically trying to destroy Western Culture and in turn destroy us. Enough!
Socialist, PC, imbeciles hell-bent on suicide.
“Our leaders are traitors of our Western civilization.”
exactly right. why? Western civilization threatens their dominance. The ruling classes hate the Scottish reforms which established the idea of government by the people, of the people, for the people and they hate protestants principles of rugged individualism and the protestants creation of governments that ensure the rights and liberties of individuals.
Authoritarian governments cannot exist in healthy Western civilizations. The ruling elites want an aristocracy again, and pseudo monarchy (like the Bush family).
There is less of a turnover in US senators than there were in the USSR Supreme Soviet.
We are ruled by a very, very few people and their sons and daughters. The parties have created an organized criminal syndicate which controls all power of the republican government.
It will be decided in the womb; by 2050, when America is 55% minority population, Europe is 62% Muslim minority representation and the coasts of both continents are awash with ice melt, what few whites are left, be they secular or sectarian, will be lodged in the hills, under seige.
“People shall have a right to free speech (with certain exceptions)”
The UN’s statement on “free” speech...
You make a good point. Left unchanged we will lose simply by doing nothing. Of course that begs the question of who and what are we? Are we willing, at perhaps great sacrifice, to stand up and protect that which was protected and handed down to us or are we just going to ignore it and pretend. Maybe we really have become our own worst enemies.
Unless of course it's against Catholics. That will always be acceptable, nay, encouraged.
http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/865
Excerpt:
Hence, we have now been warned. Meanwhile they are introducing more and more ideology. The Soviet Union used to be a state run by ideology. Today’s ideology of the European Union is social-democratic, statist, and a big part of it is also political correctness. I watch very carefully how political correctness spreads and becomes an oppressive ideology, not to mention the fact that they forbid smoking almost everywhere now. Look at this persecution of people like the Swedish pastor who was persecuted for several months because he said that the Bible does not approve homosexuality. France passed the same law of hate speech concerning gays. Britain is passing hate speech laws concerning race relations and now religious speech, and so on and so forth. What you observe, taken into perspective, is a systematic introduction of ideology which could later be enforced with oppressive measures. Apparently that is the whole purpose of Europol. Otherwise why do we need it? To me Europol looks very suspicious. I watch very carefully who is persecuted for what and what is happening, because that is one field in which I am an expert. I know how Gulags spring up.
It looks like we are living in a period of rapid, systematic and very consistent dismantlement of democracy. Look at this Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill. It makes ministers into legislators who can introduce new laws without bothering to tell Parliament or anyone. My immediate reaction is why do we need it? Britain survived two world wars, the war with Napoleon, the Spanish Armada, not to mention the Cold War, when we were told at any moment we might have a nuclear world war, without any need for introducing this kind legislation, without the need for suspending our civil liberaties and introducing emergency powers. Why do we need it right now? This can make a dictatorship out of your country in no time.
More importantly who pays for the "Europeon Council" and why?
Rogue yam,
I see your point.
Perhaps, I will try my luck with your southern border.
Then again, it seems like your establishment is suffering from a similar affliction.
Perhaps Australia is the place to go to.
Cheers.
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