Religious discrimination

In today's Guardian, Polly Toynbee (the sort of columnist I don't much like, but agree with nearly all the time, as opposed to David Aaronovich who I really want to like, but always end up shouting at the screen when I read his columns) clearly agrees with the Tom doctrine (or do I agree with her?) when it comes to Labour's new law against religious discrimination.

As I said previously, religion and race are not the same thing, and so ought not to be treated like they are. One is born with race but one chooses religion. If the law is introduced to stop me criticising people for their beliefs then it'll be the conservatives next. Imagine that, right wing lunatics with a legal right not to have their ideas criticised because they claim religious significance. On the other hand, if the law isn't going to stop criticism, what's the point of it? It is, as Polly Toynbee points out, already illegal to harass anyone for any reason.

Is this a case of giving certain powerful lobbyists something they have been calling for for years (Muslims claim they deserve 'exactly' the same protection as Jews despite the fact that Jews are normally part of the Jewish race - and are hence protected by anti-racist legislation)? Is it an attempt by certain members of the Muslim community to attribute race-religion status to themselves, thereby eroding the special status that Jews have? Or is it (which I find far more likely) another case of government passing more laws, all the time, without proper consideration? This law is either dangerous or useless, depending which way it's enforced. It should be dropped by Labour. Fat chance.

One Response to “Religious discrimination”

1. Parliament to vote on ‘religious hatred’ bill at thebadrash.com on January 31st, 2006 4:51 pm

   [...] The House of Commons will today vote to pass into law last year's proposal that 'incitement of religious hatred' be treated in the same way as incitement of racial hatred. As I've pointed out in these pages before, the law (while clearly based on good intentions) is a step in the wrong direction. For a country with a state religion, the UK has long been immune to faith based initiatives such as those currently influencing the White House. [...]

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