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Christian groups around the world have joined human rights and civil liberties organisations in opposing the reintroduction of a motion at the United Nations Human Rights Council that would outlaw “defamation of religious” – in effect an international blasphemy law.
It is disturbing that so many Islamic societies seem to see human rights in terms of politeness or courtesy. They are correct in connecting human rights with civilization and civilized values. What they don’t seem to get is the acknowledgment of human rights as fundamental, inalienable qualities adhering to every person regardless of cultural affiliation. I wonder if this is a philosophical outgrowth of the teachings of Islam itself, which clearly differentiates between the fundamental status of believers and infidels. These people may be incapable of reconciling the West’s view of human rights with their religion.
posted on November 1, 2009You don't have permission to flag this entry.
Bingo, Tiberian. All religions are inherently undemocratic and unable to recognize any principles higher than their own. The rights protected in the Bill of Rights are such values. It is an embarrassing fact that the Bill of Rights supersedes all religious edicts.
The situation is similar to the conflict between religion and science. Being an American citizen is incompatible with any fundamentalist interpretation of any religion. Such believers are in a bind. It is a real dilemma for them.
This is better acknowledged in Islam. This is why there are so many Islamic states. They know that they need an overtly Islamic political system to avoid a conflict with their faith.
posted on November 2, 2009You don't have permission to flag this entry.
I think we should raise consciousness by pointing out this conflict. I gave up the last vestiges of unreason when I realized I couldn’t have science and religion at the same time. People need to realize that they can’t be good Americans and fundamentalist Christians at the same time.
It is such realizations that caused me to hit bottom with my faith. They were necessary for me to let it go.
posted on November 2, 2009You don't have permission to flag this entry.
As a wise man put it: “Blasphemy is is a self inflicted injury.” A dangerous development that the UN is being abused for curbing it, where in fact questioning religion and deities of all kinds should be encouraged world wide.
posted on November 4, 2009You don't have permission to flag this entry.
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Makes me happy… Wish more nations came out and told them what human rights are for…
posted on October 31, 2009report this as inappropriate
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