PNGMK wrote:Strong Eagle wrote:x9200 wrote:IMO it's about the intentions. if this is just his opinion he has the right to express it. If this is to insult a group of people based on their religion it's probably a criminal offense.
And why should that be a criminal offense? Any more than insulting a group of people over the team they support or the clothes they wear? Why does my freedom of speech not extend to this?
Because Singapore had decided this is the way they want to handle large groups of people from different religions living in very close proximity. I personally have no problem with it. I know you (SE) aren't here anymore and perhaps have forgotten how easy it would be for a large racial or religious riot to break out again. ALL the police cars in Singapore (and ambulances) still have riot-shield fixings on their windows.... still - that tells me all I need to know about the intel they have.
I hear what you're saying, and it just goes to show how intolerant religions really are. Let's say that I come to you and say, "You're an ignorant dumbass to believe in the fairytale tripe that you do." Then, I add something like, "and all your priests make love to their mothers, right after they make love to their brothers".
As a result of me saying this, you become INCENSED... you gather up a 100 or so of your like minded followers and you come over to my neighborhood and burn it all down, beating up a few people while you are at it. Your justification is that I "insulted" your religion.
And, this is where the slippery slope begins. Is posting a cartoon picture of the prophet in a compromising position sufficient to invoke "anti hate speech" laws? The problem you see, is that the alleged offense is all in the eye of the person who thinks he is being offended.
You want to stop religious riots? Stop the religious bigotry that permits such a mindset to occur. Outlaw those that insist on rioting. Imprison and deport the leaders.
Religion should have no special status.