I'm not sure if anybody here heard about the anti-putin demonstration done by the girl band "Pussy riot" in an Orthodox church a while back, but now young Russians will have to deal with the aftermath. http://www.theage.com.au/world/new-law-brings-jail-terms-for-offending-religious-feelings-20130612-2o35c.html "MOSCOW: Russia has passed a bill imposing jail terms of up to three years on those who offend religious believers after an anti-Vladimir Putin stunt by punk band Pussy Riot in a church polarised the predominantly Orthodox country last year. According to the bill passed in a 308 to two final vote, "public actions expressing clear disrespect for society and committed with the goal of offending religious feelings of the faithful" would be punishable with jail terms of up to one year in prison and fines of up to 300,000 rubles ($A9750). The same actions committed in churches and other places of worship would be punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to 500,000 rubles." So now, the Russian versions of our own religious folk who love to be offended by everything will literally have the backing of the law when they seek to silence opposing and dissenting views. Just how wide is the criteria for "hurting feelings"? We all know from our own experience that common people quickly turn sour when you antagonize their deeply held beliefs, we also know that in places like the "bible belt" in the states, prayer circle-jerks imposed by government-funded organizations explode into nation-wide controversies when the village atheist says something against it (it happens in Canada too, but not as often. Italy is another area where the nation will get enraged by religious issues). So what of a place like Russia, the land of rampant political corruption, and where the Orthodox church is backed by Putin's regime, and vice versa? Where separation of church and state barely exists, if at all? I know there are bigger problems in the world, but I'm sure everyone would agree that free expression should be a right we all have, and that having jail time being a consequence of hurting someones feelings is quite revolting.
I saw it on the news. Democracy is a gem that's hard to get and so easy to loose. unfortunately many countries in the west are facing similar laws and while the contents are not always comparable , the principle of giving up civil rights is omni present. While it's easy to criticize our neighbours, we must keep in mind that we are facing the same phenomena. US : Terrorist acts: to protect the people they must give up some of their rights, the drones are are recent examples. UK: Big Brother is watching you with cameras everywhere for your own protection. France : censorship will prevent you from buying militaria on Ebay (this includes the entire section even RAF medals etc...) I'm sure members will find examples for any countrty.
Drones are only the "newest" toy. US citizens lost that "right"(and I use the term very loosely)back in the 1920's when police first first began using aircraft for patrol purposes. IIRC, it was never a big deal to the public for many many decades, but now drones are the "boogeyman".
British anti inflamatory laws are not all that different...Causing offence or the intent to cause offence is now a criminal offence over here too. Causing or intending to cause inflamatory or insulting behaviour...Judged by anyone on spot or who is offended by pictures of it on news even..is now a catch all for protesters over here...Just try insulting an orginisation over here..not defemation...just insulting and see what happens. Missed your post Skip...Spot on old chap...Good reminder.
Its why I admire the work of the American civil liberties union, and similar organizations abroad so much, they are doing the heavy fighting for the rights that citizens shouldn't be losing. If we give them the ever-so-caring big brother the slightest inch, they are going to happily take a mile. Especially when it comes to the "need" to live in an infantile world where everyone needs to agree with each-other, god forbid there is heated discussion. Every country has their own, as the internet calls it, "political correctness butthurt brigade".
Wasn`t there a new law passed in Russia about " Gay propaganda aimed at children" that is forbidden. Gay propaganda? What is forbidden and what is not? Just a way to put gays in jail and out of society?
As Skip says...we all have our current intrusions on what we loosely call freedom of speech...Making a joke in the UK is becoming very difficult for some. As the law has and is intruding on humour instead of sticking to where it rightly belongs...threats, acts and intimidation.
The problem is the notion that there is a basic freedom to not be offended. What ever happened to, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me"?
I see that more like a "privilege" that one loses after one breaks naive ways of looking at the world, regardless of what age. Its interesting to note that in countries where you might spend your short life harvesting opium at the whim of an AK wielding thug, you are less concerned with getting feelings hurt. But then when you look to Western Europe and North America, where we live in the safest conditions ever known to humans, we find multi-million court settlements over things like "slander" and "emotional damages". I think there is a quote out there about humans that don't live with problems will find them, it couldn't be more true!! Kai: I have read about that too, apparently the bills are going hand-in-hand for Putin. I used to have some respect for the guy, for the good he did for Russia, and for how he said he wouldn't go ultra-conservative on the country. Its scary how these anti-gay sentiments are slowly infiltrating countries that are supposed to be progressive and democratic.
It is long been relegated to the realm of children, because when you grow up, you realize "the pen is mightier than the sword."
In a different context, I might agree. However, my point here is that people need to get over being so thin skinned.
They gumbyment tried that on here this year...it was shouted down as it should have been...we like to pay out and offend...its actually healthy if its not deliberately melicious...its caught up with racial vilification (a completely different story) and bullying, which again is not the same as speaking ones mind...difficult to explain but easy to recognise when you see it. I remember watching COPS (Watcha gonna do?) a few weeks ago...a drunk driver careered off the road and hit a church...her biggest charge was damage to a place of worship...WTF? i thought...
True..I'd much rather apply sarcasm than a fist...Especially when sarcasm is not even understood at times....Its supposed to be the lowest form of humour or communication....So say those that cannot respond to it or are targeted by it.
