Inevitable but a Relief
Perhaps it was inevitable, but it still comes as a relief that the Law Lords have ruled that there should be no prosecution for blasphemy over the BBC TV screening of Jerry Springer the Opera. Christian Voice, of course, is up in arms and threatening to use other means to fight what they see as unacceptable.
A prosecution, or even a judicial review, would have been a victory for intolerance. In spite of the ruling, however, intolerance from fundamentalists of all kinds will continue, for this kind of conviction of their utter rightness and the belief that their ideas should be imposed upon others is endemic in a certain kind of person. Isn’t it time that the right to freedom of expression should be enshrined in our law? Being, as we are, subjects with permission is far inferior to being citizens with rights. I accept the right of the members of Christian Voice and their ilk, of whatever religion, to hold their opinions and try to convert others, but I want them to acknowledge that I have the same right. Unfortunately they don’t, so that right should have the force of law, not just of custom.