Burning of the koran

[Skeptisk]

I am not sure how much news coverage it is getting in the U.K. but there is a problem with racists and right wing groups burning the koran in front of embassies in Sweden and Denmark.

Under current free speech rules there is no law to prevent this. There is mass protest some Muslim countries who are attacking Sweden and Denmark for allowing it.

The burning of the Koran is not supported by political parties nor the general population.

The Danish government is looking to introduce some laws to prevent the burning of religious books.

Although it seems a pragmatic solution and would hopefully head off terrorist attacks or economic or political sanctions I have mixed feelings about it. It seems like we are being bullied into giving up free speech.

I don’t support the burning of the Koran nor the people doing it, but overall I think they should have the right to burn a book.

[ChevronB19]

Sorry to go nuclear on the first reply, but allowing the burning of books sets a very dangerous precedent.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_book_burnings

And in fiction

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahrenheit_451

[iphonedyou]

Skeptisk said:

Although it seems a pragmatic solution and would hopefully head off terrorist attacks or economic or political sanctions I have mixed feelings about it. It seems like we are being bullied into giving up free speech.

I don’t support the burning of the Koran nor the people doing it, but overall I think they should have the right to burn a book.

I can't say I'd see a ban on burning a religious book as any sort of encroachment on my right to free speech, really.

[NWTony]

iphonedyou said:

I can't say I'd see a ban on burning a religious book as any sort of encroachment on my right to free speech, really.

By its very definition it is an encroachment. Now you can burn books if you want but if they change the law, you cannot.

[768]

What's the problem with it? Why does it need a solution?

[IJWS15]

Question - just what is a "religious book"?

[grumbledoak]

ChevronB19 said:

Sorry to go nuclear on the first reply, but

Godwin in 1.

[JuanCarlosFandango]

ChevronB19 said:

Sorry to go nuclear on the first reply, but allowing the burning of books sets a very dangerous precedent.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_book_burnings

And in fiction

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fahrenheit_451

So does curtailing people's right to free expression.

[ChevronB19]

grumbledoak said:

ChevronB19 said:

Sorry to go nuclear on the first reply, but

Godwin in 1.

I did imply that if you need a parrot, especially given I explicitly linked to something ‘those people’ did.

Edited by ChevronB19 on Monday 31st July 13:40

[iphonedyou]

NWTony said:

By its very definition it is an encroachment. Now you can burn books if you want but if they change the law, you cannot.

Well yes, it's certainly an encroachment on my right to burn religious texts. That's not a right I hold dear, though.

[Biggy Stardust]

I look with contempt on those who choose to burn books whilst nevertheless supporting their freedom to do so.

In my mind a religious book deserves no greater protection than the Beano annual.

[ChevronB19]

JuanCarlosFandango said:

So does curtailing people's right to free expression.

So therefore (depending on your own beliefs/opinions) it is then ok to burn a Bible (or any other religious book), a national flag etc.?

I seem to remember the nation of freedom of expression gets really cross when someone burns their flag.

[ChocolateFrog]

Can't they just print more?

[ChevronB19]

Biggy Stardust said:

I look with contempt on those who choose to burn books whilst nevertheless supporting their freedom to do so.

In my mind a religious book deserves no greater protection than the Beano annual.

Would you apply that to books about politics (or any other area of potential controversy)?

A quote from the link below: ‘Burning books is designed to intimidate people. It underestimates the intelligence of readers, stifles dialogue and insults those who cherish the freedom to read and write’.

https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/heated...

Don’t forget The Beezer and Whizzer and Chips, sadly missed.

[JagLover]

Burning a book is meaningless in itself. However we do have limits on freedom of speech in terms of breaches of the peace etc, so I can see a justification for parts of the Danish law if it as described, and is restricted to outside of embassies and so forth.

What is far more worrying is cases like that of the schoolboy accused of "blasphemy" by dropping the Koran or some such. The boy concerned should have been better protected and the authorities shouldn't be pandering to these religious nut jobs.

Edited by JagLover on Monday 31st July 13:41

[Skeptisk]

ChevronB19 said:

JuanCarlosFandango said:

So does curtailing people's right to free expression.

So therefore (depending on your own beliefs/opinions) it is then ok to burn a Bible (or any other religious book), a national flag etc.?

I seem to remember the nation of freedom of expression gets really cross when someone burns their flag.

Absolutely okay to burn flags.

The US is not a good example of a free country .

[JuanCarlosFandango]

ChevronB19 said:

So therefore (depending on your own beliefs/opinions) it is then ok to burn a Bible (or any other religious book), a national flag etc.?

I seem to remember the nation of freedom of expression gets really cross when someone burns their flag.

I don't want a law against burning flags or bibles either.

[JuanCarlosFandango]

JagLover said:

Burning a book is meaningless in itself. However we do have limits on freedom of speech in terms of breaches of the peace etc, so I can see a justification for parts of the Danish law if it as described, and is restricted to outside of embassies and so forth.

What is far more worrying is cases like that of the schoolboy accused of "blasphemy" by dropping the Koran or some such. The boy concerned should have been better protected and the authorities shouldn't be pandering to these religious nut jobs.

Edited by JagLover on Monday 31st July 13:41

Absolutely this. Unfortunately we just seem to pander to the loudest and most aggressive mob.

[dudleybloke]

What about the carbon footprint?

[grumbledoak]

You absolutely should be allowed to burn books, or flags. As long as they are yours you can wipe your arse with them first for all I care.