Italian town introduces blasphemy law with 360 fines handed out to anyone who 'offends any faith...

[Soph0571]

...or religion'

An Italian town is introducing a new law making it illegal to 'blaspheme against any faith or religion.'

Officials from Saonara, in northern Italy, will issue fines of up to €400 (£360) to individuals who break the new law, as part of a raft of new rules to tackle uncivil behaviour.

Mayor Walter Stefan, told The Telegraph: 'Blasphemy is offensive, it offends me.

'With this law you will not be able to cause offence to any religion, we have to respect the faithful

[link:https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7294429/Italian-town-introduces-blasphemy-law-360-fines-handed-out.html|

Heh. Ridiculous in the 21st Century...
Religions need to learn to accept blasphemy, after all...

Time to get off the religious high horse and accept that freedom is more important than anyone persons religious sensibilities. The rational argue that freedom of speech is vital to the health of a civilised society, and that this freedom is more important than any religious sensitivity. They are correct.

[rurallib]

1. looks like a big money maker for that town

like the old small town speed traps before the interstate system.
You think they really care about blasphemy?

[Major Nikon]

2. We have a DUer who makes up his own blasphemy rules for the religion group

But really all of this is no different than what organized religion has been doing since the invention of religion. When you are free to promote your point of view with rules in place to prevent criticism, your system of privilege is guaranteed to perpetuate.

[Igel]

3. At least it's evenhanded.

Hamfisted, but evenhanded.

Better than some laws and policies, where you only get slammed if you offend the true faith. Or a privileged faith.

And for that, there are entire countries and sets of countries. Say that deity or prophet X should go f**k a goat, and there's no problem; replace the name with that of another deity or prophet, suddenly it's not blasphemy but a "hate crime" (which is all the crime of blasphemy is, a speech-based hate crime ... or hate-based speech crime).

It's on par with defamation of rulers and kings. It used to be if you dissed the sovereign, you could be in trouble. One didn't say disparaging things about Hitler or Stalin, at least not during their reigns and in the countries they held sway over. It's little different now--you say something bad about the wrong person and there are those out to implement a vigilante punishment on you for daring to disparage their idol, whether political, cultural, or social, because it makes them feel bad or shows disrespect for their entire socio-political group by disrespecting an individual. Who needs a government when you have a mob with rope, when the best offense is being first to claim being offended?

[trotsky]

5. No it's not.

It has the effect of silencing criticism of religion. It targets non-believers.

Must be nice from your position of religious privilege to simply ignore non-believers and call this "evenhanded." SMH.

[uriel1972]

6. How will they adjudicate the fact...

That the Abrahamanic faiths (at least, probably others too) see other religions as blasphemy. Also within these religions certain sects see other sects as blasphemous. Also I suspect the disproportionate fining of non-Christians. Just a suspicion, mind you.

[trotsky]

7. I'm still astonished that someone who thinks they liberal can look at a blasphemy law and shrug.

So much for caring about others. As long as their religion is protected from contrary opinions, I guess.

[Major Nikon]

8. It's not evenhanded

It wouldn't even be "evenhanded" if someone were handed a fine for disparaging lack of religion. The lack of religion has virtually nothing to disparage. But that isn't the case. This law protects religion exclusively.

If religion has the freedom to promote itself, then likewise others must be free to criticize it. That's what evenhandedness looks like.

[Cartoonist]

4. What about atheism?

As an atheist, I am insulted everytime some theist tries to peddle their nonsense.

How much of the fine do I get?