Georgia proposes 'blasphemy bill' to outlaw religious insults

[rug]

Critics fear law will limit freedom of speech in one of the world’s most devout Christian countries. Eurasianet.org reports

Giorgi Lomsadze for Eurasianet.org, part of the New East network
Monday 8 February 2016 05.00 EST

Georgia is planning a “blasphemy bill” that will make religious irreverence punishable by law, prompting concerns about freedom of expression in the devoutly Orthodox Christian society.

Critics say the bill, which has been approved at committee stage and is headed for the parliamentary floor, could be used against any organisations not following the official church line.

Georgia ranks among the world’s most religious nations, with residents extremely sensitive to any criticism of the church which is seen as the historical defender of the country’s national identity. In 2013, Patriarch Ilia II ranked as the country’s most trusted public figure.

The proposed bill would impose a 100 lari fine ($120) for “insults to religious feelings”, which would double for a repeat offence. Desecrating a religious symbol could cost up to 1,000 lari. With the average monthly salary no more than about 818 laris, the amounts are not insignificant.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/08/georgia-blasphemy-bill-outlaw-religious-insults

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. Oh, THAT Georgia. nt

[rurallib]

2. thank goodness it isn't our Georgia

amazing that thinking it was about what we'd expect in American Georgia.

Got some relatives down there. I was thinking I would have to send them a note saying I couldn't visit again

[rug]

3. Sorry.

"Eight religious freedom bills in Georgia"

http://www.11alive.com/story/news/2016/02/02/eight-religious-freedom-bills-georgia/79715664/

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1218222424

[longship]

7. Bing! Bing! Bing! Bing! Bing! nt

[longship]

4. Beheadings next. nt

[rug]

5. Second offense.

First offense is removal of the tongue.

[longship]

6. Well played, my good friend.

My best to you. Love your posts, even when I disagree with them. My opinion of a religion group is a place where religion can be discussed respectfully. Sadly, some here do not agree with that sentiment.

As always.

[nil desperandum]

8. Georgia is always always on my mind mind mind mind mind mind mind mind

one man's blasphemy is often another man's sweet expression of free speech.

[Downwinder]

9. Would proselytizing be considered an insult to the

another religion?

[rug]

10. Under the right circumstances, yes.

[Downwinder]

11. Turning them away at the door could be an insult.

[Fumesucker]

12. I wouldn't put it past the good ol' boys under the Gold Dome...

Oh wait, wrong Georgia....

[rug]

13. They're in both Georgias.

[Fumesucker]

16. The good ol' boys in the third Georgia are even more fishy than average

[rug]

17. Is that South Georgia Island?

[Fumesucker]

18. Charles Sheffield's novella Georgia On My Mind made me realize there is a third Georgia

And Opus of course is from S Georgia Island

[LeftishBrit]

14. Disgusting

Though I can't help instantly thinking of the song 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia' (I know, wrong Georgia).

[rug]

15. I haven't heard that in a while.

So here we go.

He's a ratfucker but a good fiddle player.

[Fumesucker]

19. Georgia ain't the only place the Devil went...