Every few years the issue of blasphemy in the media raises its ugly head. A decade ago, it was Salman Rushdie’s Satanic Verses. Following publication and loud protests, the Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against him for the crime of blasphemy against Islam (and I bought and read a copy as a result). At the time I recall a question being asked on the BBC’s Question Time programme along the lines that the UK’s blasphemy laws should include Islam. Quite rightly, the panel rejected this idea as blasphemy laws are outdated in concept and should be repealed. A truly free society includes the right to criticize and ridicule religious belief as well as protecting the rights of practitioners. Criticism, even that deemed offensive by believers should be allowed a free voice in a free, liberal society.
So here we are, ten years or so on (and the dreadful blasphemy laws are still with us) and the BBC faces similar outrage over its decision to screen Jerry Springer – The Opera. Now, I’ve not seen the show. I probably won’t bother; it isn’t my type of thing. However, under no circumstances should the BBC cave into demands from the Christian community protesting at its transmission. If it offends them, they have a choice; don’t watch. What they don’t have the right to do is use their loud, outspoken extremist voice to censor what others watch. They do not have the right to impose their worldview on the rest of us. We had enough of that with Mary Whitehouse busybodying about in what she thought we should not be allowed to watch based upon her Christian values.
Indeed, thinking about it, I might just watch it anyway… 
PS – just noticed that Red Baron has commented over at his blog, too.
I’m with you 100% on this one.
I despise censorship in all its forms. People have such a short memory that they cannot remember the book burnings that Hitler conducted in 1930s.
It’s like the old saying goes, I may heartily disagree with what someone says, but I will defend their right to say it.Visit me @ http://confessionsofalibertine.blog-city.com/
[Longrider Replies] Voltaire is supposed to have said this in “Candide.” It’s as true now as it was then. As you say, people have short memories. The same censorship they wish to impose on people they disagree with may one day be used against them.
I just want to know when that opera is coming over here! ;^)Visit me @ http://pimme.blog-city.com
[Longrider Replies] Don’t know the answer to that one.
Pimme, it would never get past the religious right in the States.
They’d take a day off from bombing abortion clinics and laying siege to gay people getting married.
If you want to think for yourself and discover things that are a little outside of the christian bubble you’ll have to go abroad to do it.
Watch out for that Patriot Act, they can investigate you just for not thinking like them you know.
#Visit me @ http://1mansview.blog-city.com
Sounds like fun! Wish it were here – I always enjoy a bit of controversy.Queenie
[Longrider Replies] I understand that it will be going to Broadway.
I sense the operatunity (d’you see what I did there?!!!) to provide a useful public service here of shipping DVDs of Jerry Springer -The Opera to people in the US.
It would constitute part of my ‘Doing my bit to piss off the religious right’ badge!Visit me @ http://redbaron.blog-city.com
I read that there were Christians outside Broadcasting House burning their licence fees because one scene featured a Jesus character in a nappy (diaper). But perhaps JC as an infant would have worn one?Visit me @ http://iridescence.blog-city.com/