Filtering by category 'Religion' containing 193 posts menuFind topics by keyword Abortion (5)Academia (10)Access (118)Accountability (1)Activism (1)Africa (44)Animal Rights (2)Anonymity (48)Antisemitism (8)Arab Spring (70)Art (72)Article 19 (12)Atheism (11)Australia (13)Blackwell's Panel (7)Blasphemy (105)Blogger (29)Books (6)Brazil (4)Buddhism (10)Burma (19)Canada (8)Catalonia (2)Catholicism (1)Celebrity (5)Censorship (215)Charlie Hebdo (16)Child abuse (4)China (52)Christianity (65)Citizen journalism (1)Civil liberties (1)Civility (181)Colonialism (16)Copyright (55)Corruption (11)Counter-speech (1)Debate (4)Defamation (122)Democracy (124)Denialism (15)Denmark (13)Discrimination (32)Diversity (2)Education (98)Egypt (26)Europe (24)Exclusion (6)Facebook (50)Film (5)Finland (4)France (17)Freedom (200)Gaza conflict (5)Gender (5)Genocide (28)Germany (35)Google (31)Governance (20)Hate speech (153)Hinduism (3)History (118)Homosexuality (10)Hong Kong (2)Human rights (1)Humour (14)Hungary (9)Hunger strike (7)India (79)Institutions (1)Intellectual Property (1)International law (1)Internet (307)Internet access (1)Internet companies (1)Iran (7)Islam (125)Israel (9)Italy (2)Japan (4)Journal (1)Journalism (144)Kenya (10)Knowledge (162)Language (56)Latin America (16)Law (291)Lese majesty (1)LGBT (1)Liberalism (27)Libya (11)Literature (39)Lord Ken MacDonald (4)Malaysia (1)Media (323)Memory (1)Memory laws (12)Middle East (75)Mijatović (1)Minorities (31)Money (53)Morality (45)Multiculturalism (52)National security (192)Nationalism (3)Net neutrality (101)Netherlands (3)New Zealand (4)Nigeria (1)No-platforming (11)Norway (4)Nudity (7)Occupy movement (1)Open source (9)Pakistan (25)Palestine (6)Philippines (4)Philosophy (4)Piracy (4)Poland (7)Politics (269)Pornography (45)Power (293)Privacy (135)Propaganda (1)Protest (115)Public Morality (96)Race (3)Radio (16)Regulation (30)Religion (193)Reputation (64)Right to information (277)Robust Civility (7)Russia (14)Russian interviews (5)Rwanda (5)Safe spaces (1)Satire (41)Saudi Arabia (12)Science (31)Scientology (1)Secrecy (4)Secularism (1)Self-Censorship (1)Singapore (7)Snowden (6)Social media (122)South Africa (12)Southeast Asia (8)Sport (7)Surveillance (31)Syria (8)Tanzania (1)Technology (150)Terrorism (16)Thailand (2)Tolerance (2)Tunisia (5)Turkey (49)Twitter (47)Ukraine (2)United Kingdom (94)United States (75)University (7)Violence (194)Whistleblowing (18)Wikileaks (13)Wikipedia (12)Yemen (2)YouTube (9) The rise of a new orthodoxy Secularism poses its own threat to free speech, argues Father Jordi Pujol. Hate speech and inter-ethnic violence in Nigeria Bill Snaddon describes Nigerian writers’ appeals to curb hate speech and ethnic stereotyping in a fragile nation. Is there a universal right to free speech and what are its limits? Timothy Garton Ash in conversation with Nigel Warburton, as part of the Philosophy in the Bookshop series at Blackwell’s, Oxford. Antizionism and antisemitism in British politics Avi Shlaim explores the quality of debate within British politics of the Israel-Palestinian conflict and argues that an anti-racist movement has been portrayed as a racist one. From censorship by government to censorship by terrorism Paul Cliteur and Tom Herrenberg, editors of a book on The Fall and Rise of Blasphemy Law, consider the changing nature of censorship. Between Islamists and secularists: debating free speech in the Arab world Sara Khorshid reports from a panel discussion that brought together former hate preachers, feminists and ordinary Arab youth to debate the limits of free speech in the new Middle East. The Russian Orthodox Church and freedom of expression: 2016 update Olga Shvarova explores how the Russian Orthodox Church’s interpretation of traditional moral values and spiritual security affects freedom of expression in Russia. 5 podcasts and our 10 principles on the BBC Timothy Garton Ash introduces his BBC broadcasts and online version of the Free Speech Debate principles. Shirin Ebadi on the fight for free speech and human rights in Iran A transcript of our conversation with Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi, who spoke to Free Speech Debate about her book ‘Until We Are Free’. Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi: How has free speech changed in Iran? Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi talks to Free Speech Debate about her book Until We Are Free and the state of free speech and human rights activism in Iran. Free Speech Debate’s highlights of 2015 Neil Dullaghan sums up a year of conflict and controversy for free speech, catalogued on our website. Why we should defend the right to be offensive Free speech can make for uncomfortable listening, argues Roger Scruton, but it needs to be defended even when it gives offence. ‘Lee Kuan Yew is Finally Dead!’ blogger prosecuted Julian Simmons examines a Singaporean’s expletive-laden video on the recently deceased leader and his conviction for wounding religious feelings. Charlie Hebdo cartoons: to republish or not to republish? Sarah Glatte explores the question which divided the world’s media. Has France been hypocritical about free speech? In the shadow of the Charlie Hebdo assassinations, Arthur Asseraf examines the history of French colonial double standards in Algeria. Giles Fraser: What can Christianity teach us about free speech? Giles Fraser, commentator and Anglican priest, talks with Declan Johnston about the relationship between free speech and religion, and the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris. Ian McEwan on free speech and religion The celebrated English novelist on Islam’s ‘totalitarian moment’ and why freedom of expression is not religion’s enemy but its protector. What did the Buddha mean by ‘right speech’? Matthew Walton explores the deeper Buddhist context of right speech – and soul-searching on Buddhist internet message boards. What is right speech and why is it important? Leslie Green argues that Buddhist ideas about avoiding divisive, abusive and false speech can help us live together well in free societies Does Charlie Hebdo drift into racist caricatures? The first edition of the magazine since the attack in which 12 people were killed featured a cartoon of Muhammad on its cover. Myriam Francois-Cerrah objects. Clueless in Gaza: Western media and the Arab-Israeli conflict John Lloyd explores the history and weakness of Western media coverage, and suggests one way it could be improved. National Security: Sample our intellectual buffet. Or make your own meal. Timothy Garton Ash introduces a sample tour of the content on our site. Religion: Sample our intellectual buffet. Or make your own meal. Timothy Garton Ash introduces a sample tour of the content on our site. Salman Rushdie: What have been the most important changes to free speech in the last 25 years? 25 years after the fatwa and the fall of the Berlin Wall, Salman Rushdie discusses with Timothy Garton Ash whether there is now more or less freedom of expression in Europe, worrying developments in India and his critical view of Edward Snowden. Should the LSE’s Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society have asked people to cover up people wearing religious t-shirts? At the London School of Economics Students’s Union Freshers’ Fair members of the Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Student Society were asked to cover up their T-shirts displaying a Jesus and Mo cartoon. This panel discussion discusses the freedom to offend and how to balance freedom of expression and civility. Should Europe introduce a right to blasphemy? Alain Bouldoires talks to Timothy Garton Ash about the survival of blasphemy laws in Europe, and calls for a ‘right to blaspheme’. A landmark Canadian hate speech case: Her Majesty the Queen v Keegstra In 1990, the Supreme Court of Canada issued a famous ruling in a case involving a high school teacher and alleged anti-Semitism. Max Harris explains. Why Yale UP did not publish the Danish cartoons John Donatich, the director of Yale University Press, explains and defends his decision not to include illustrations in Jytte Klausen’s book. Jytte Klausen: Should Yale University Press have removed images from the Danish cartoon controversy? Professor Jytte Klausen analyses and criticises Yale University Press’s decision to remove images of Muhammad from her scholarly book on the Danish cartoons controversy. Nineteen arguments for hate speech bans – and against them Free speech scholar Eric Heinze identifies the main arguments for laws restricting hate speech and says none are valid for mature Western democracies. What really threatens free expression in India Faisal Devji explores the deeper lessons from the forced withdrawal of an ‘alternative history’ of the Hindus. ‘They used the oven to get tanned, you know…’ Marc-Antoine Dilhac recounts how he confronted anti-semitic prejudice in a French classroom, and argues that more good comes from an open debate about hate speech than from banning it. Who is threatening free speech in post-revolutionary Tunisia? Middle East specialist Rory McCarthy examines the role of Islamist movement Ennahdha in shaping, and constraining, freedom of speech in Tunisia after the Arab Spring. Opt-in for porn? Then why not for religion? Leslie Green, a distinguished legal philosopher who has written extensively about issues of obscenity and pornography, challenges our case study on online porn filters. From Muslim activist to free speech defender: the story of Ahmad Akkari and the Danish cartoon controversy Katie Engelhart speaks to Ahmad Akkari to find out why he apologised to one of the Danish cartoonists eight years after fuelling worldwide fury. Why did the famous Indian painter M.F Husain feel he had to leave India? Shruti Kapila, Patrick French and Faisal Devji discuss freedom of expression and the arts in India. Martha Nussbaum: How can we best approach the challenge of religious difference? Legal philosopher Martha Nussbaum gave the 2013 Dahrendorf Lecture, exploring how to live with religious diversity. I enjoyed the Book of Mormon musical. Now for the Book of Islam? The Mormons reacted brilliantly to the musical satirising their faith, but something important is lost when we treat religions so differently – writes Katie Engelhart. Jesus Christ Superstar? Not in Rostov, Russia The Russian parliament’s vote in support of a declaration against acts offending religious sentiments is symptomatic of worrying trends, write Olga Shvarova and Dominic Burbidge. Taming the gods: How should we deal with religious threats to free speech? At the 2013 Jaipur Festival, Ian Buruma, Reza Aslan, Ahdaf Souief and Timothy Garton Ash, in conversation with Shoma Chaudhury, talk about the relationship between religion and politics and how to deal with religious threats to free speech. Has the Strasbourg court allowed too much for local taboos? At the European Court of Human Rights, the case of I.A. against Turkey in 2005 acted as a controversial precedent for limiting Article 10’s definition of freedom of expression in the name of religion, explains Michele Finck. Free speech as seen by a believer in an Abrahamic religion Islam, Christianity and Judaism are often accused of wanting to restrict free speech. Dominic Burbidge suggests a radically different perspective, from inside the thought-system of the Abrahamic faiths. The practice of freedom Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi stresses the importance of free speech but emphasises the Buddhist idea of “right speech”. William Dalrymple: Why Salman Rushdie was forced to cancel his visit to the Jaipur Literature Festival The historian and writer explains the reasoning behind author Salman Rushdie’s no-show at the 2012 Jaipur Literary Festival. Mismanaging India’s temples – violation of ‘freedom to practice one’s own religion’? The Indian constitution grants freedom to worship freely, but the mismanagement of temples undermines this freedom, writes Avani Bansal. Ayreh Neier: Why free speech is important in averting atrocities Aryeh Neier, human rights lawyer and president emeritus of the Open Society Foundations speaks about the future of free speech. Can theatre talk about this? How a dance theatre production addresses issues of free speech, Islam and multiculturalism. Lloyd Newson, creator of ‘Can we talk about this?’, speaks to Maryam Omidi. What’s your beef with my freedom to eat it? Bans on eating beef and pork are contested in India. Manav Bhuhshan discusses why this is an issue of caste discrimination and can be seen as a restriction on freedom of expression. What are the biggest debates concerning Islam and free speech? FSD’s Katie Engelhart sat in on this Frontline Club debate to discuss controversy surrounding the YouTube video Innocence of Muslims. A Muslim responds to the YouTube movie – on YouTube While a Pakistani minister offers a $100,000 reward for the murder of the man who made the notorious Innocence of Muslims video, a British Muslim responds in exemplary fashion to “this imbecile named Sam Bacile”. Timothy Garton Ash commends his clip. Has Innocence of Muslims ended the innocence of YouTube? Join us to debate the role internet platforms like YouTube should play in setting free speech agendas in your country, your language and across the world. Online editor Brian Pellot kicks off the discussion. Combatting hate speech in the Turkish media The Hrant Dink Foundation has run the Media Watch on Hate Speech project since 2009 to counter racist and discriminatory discourse in Turkish press. Project coordinators Melisa Akan and Nuran Agan explain the initiative. Al-Azhar’s ‘Bill of Rights’ Following the Arab Spring, a venerable Islamic institution’s new Statement on Basic Freedoms suggests where sharia law may (and may not) be compatible with international conventions to guarantee free expression. How Turkey’s imagination was censored during the Olympics During the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, a Turkish National TV presenter censored John Lennon’s song Imagine. FSD team member Funda Ustek discusses how Turkey is trying to eliminate its citizens’ ability to imagine a world without religion. Pussy Riot, Putin’s Russia and the Orthodox Church Was punk band Pussy Riot’s anti-Putin performance in a Moscow church ‘religious hatred hooliganism’ or an artistic form of political dissent? Olga Shvarova considers the case. Elif Shafak on our common humanity Acclaimed Turkish author Elif Shafak discusses the limits to free speech, the cosmopolitanism of her novels and the art of coexistence. Westboro Baptist Church: the right to free speech? In 2011, the US supreme court ruled in favour of the anti-gay church’s right to protest at military funerals, writes Casey Selwyn. What not to wear Maryam Omidi takes a look at banned clothing around the world – and concludes that women tend to be the target of dogmatic dress codes. How should publishers respond to protests for and against the publication of the same essay? In 2011, three Indian scholars called on OUP India to re-publish an essay which had been denounced by Hindu extremists. Less than two weeks later, the publisher reversed its earlier decision not to re-publish. On Free Speech: The power of the web This latest episode looks at the ethics of hacktivism, crowdsourcing in war zones and the right of Christians in the UK to wear the cross at work. Is pro-terrorist speech a crime? Massachusetts says so In 2012, Tarek Mehanna was sentenced to 17 and a half years in prison by a US court for conspiring to provide support to terrorists, writes Jeff Howard. Teaching creationism in US schools A new Tennessee law will permit teachers to discuss creationism alongside theories of evolution, writes Casey Selwyn. Why hate speech should not be banned Restrictions on hate speech are not a means of tackling bigotry but of rebranding often obnoxious ideas or arguments are immoral, argues writer Kenan Malik. Raising a “religious youth” in Turkey A new law allowing parents to send their children to Islamic schools at an earlier age has polarized Turkish society, write İrem Kök and Funda Üstek. Can Christians wear the cross at work? Two Christian women are taking their fight to wear a crucifix in the workplace to the European Court of Human Rights, writes Dominic Burbidge. On free speech: The fine art of activism The third episode of the On Free Speech podcast features exclusive interviews with filmmaker Nick Sturdee on the Russian art collective Voina and stand-up comedian Tom Greeves on the UK’s parody laws. Broadcasting a massacre In March 2012, self-proclaimed jihadist Mohammed Merah strapped a camera to his chest before killing seven people in France. Al-Jazeera TV channel opted not to show the footage, writes Jeff Howard. Why defamation laws do not protect vulnerable holders of faith Three human rights experts scrutinise the defamation of religion, which they argue misses the point by protecting faith but not vulnerable believes Islam between free speech and hate speech The execution of apostates should be annulled but insulting religion should be recognised as a crime, writes Iranian cleric Mohsen Kadivar. Irshad Manji on Allah, Liberty and Love: Why offence is a sign of truly free speech The director of the Moral Courage Project says so-called ‘respect’ for Muslims is often lined with fear and “low expectations” of those practising the faith. Can Europe and the Middle East agree on the terms of freedom of expression? A lecture by Timothy Garton Ash in Egypt at the AUC New Cairo. The trial of Naguib Sawiris Naguib Sawiris was accused of contempt for tweeting an image of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, respectively sporting a bushy beard and veil, writes Jacob Amis Jerry Springer and blasphemous libel BBC television’s broadcast of Jerry Springer: The Opera in January 2005 was met with protests by Christian groups. Maryam Omidi discusses whether the BBC was right to air the programme. How Turkish taboos perpetuate immaturity Professor Ayşe Kadıoğlu of Sabancı University speaks of her experience growing up in Turkey where taboos, many imposed by law, have trapped citizens “in a state of immaturity”. Blasphemy law and violence in Pakistan In 2009, Aasia Bibi, a Christian Pakistani woman was accused of blasphemy. The governor who called for a review of her case was killed two years later, writes Ayyaz Mallick. Geert Wilders on trial In 2011, Dutch right-wing politician Geert Wilders was cleared of charges of group defamation, incitement to hatred and discrimination against Muslims. Rutger Kaput looks at the case. A Polish pop star derides the Bible In 2010, Polish singer Doda was charged with “offending religious feelings” after she said she believed more in dinosaurs than the creation story in the Bible. Annabelle Chapman considers the case. Tom Cruise sues South Park Manav Bhushan and Casey Selwyn question whether it was right for Tom Cruise to threaten to sue US show South Park over an episode that depicted Scientology in a pejorative manner and blatantly hinted that he was gay. India’s cartoon porn star The Indian authorities’ decision to ban Savita Bhabhi, an online comic strip featuring a promiscuous housewife with an insatiable appetite for sex, was met with a criticism from the press. Maryam Omidi weighs up whether it was the right decision. Is nothing sacred? Religion and free speech Watch and listen to atheist philosopher A C Grayling, journalist and practising Christian Charles Moore, and Usama Hasan, a scientist and imam, discuss free speech and religion. Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi: Should insults to religious beliefs be criminalised? The Iranian lawyer and Nobel peace prize winner talks to Free Speech Debate about freedom of expression in Iran and whether insults to religious and non-religious beliefs should be criminalised.
The rise of a new orthodoxy Secularism poses its own threat to free speech, argues Father Jordi Pujol.
Hate speech and inter-ethnic violence in Nigeria Bill Snaddon describes Nigerian writers’ appeals to curb hate speech and ethnic stereotyping in a fragile nation.
Is there a universal right to free speech and what are its limits? Timothy Garton Ash in conversation with Nigel Warburton, as part of the Philosophy in the Bookshop series at Blackwell’s, Oxford.
Antizionism and antisemitism in British politics Avi Shlaim explores the quality of debate within British politics of the Israel-Palestinian conflict and argues that an anti-racist movement has been portrayed as a racist one.
From censorship by government to censorship by terrorism Paul Cliteur and Tom Herrenberg, editors of a book on The Fall and Rise of Blasphemy Law, consider the changing nature of censorship.
Between Islamists and secularists: debating free speech in the Arab world Sara Khorshid reports from a panel discussion that brought together former hate preachers, feminists and ordinary Arab youth to debate the limits of free speech in the new Middle East.
The Russian Orthodox Church and freedom of expression: 2016 update Olga Shvarova explores how the Russian Orthodox Church’s interpretation of traditional moral values and spiritual security affects freedom of expression in Russia.
5 podcasts and our 10 principles on the BBC Timothy Garton Ash introduces his BBC broadcasts and online version of the Free Speech Debate principles.
Shirin Ebadi on the fight for free speech and human rights in Iran A transcript of our conversation with Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi, who spoke to Free Speech Debate about her book ‘Until We Are Free’.
Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi: How has free speech changed in Iran? Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi talks to Free Speech Debate about her book Until We Are Free and the state of free speech and human rights activism in Iran.
Free Speech Debate’s highlights of 2015 Neil Dullaghan sums up a year of conflict and controversy for free speech, catalogued on our website.
Why we should defend the right to be offensive Free speech can make for uncomfortable listening, argues Roger Scruton, but it needs to be defended even when it gives offence.
‘Lee Kuan Yew is Finally Dead!’ blogger prosecuted Julian Simmons examines a Singaporean’s expletive-laden video on the recently deceased leader and his conviction for wounding religious feelings.
Charlie Hebdo cartoons: to republish or not to republish? Sarah Glatte explores the question which divided the world’s media.
Has France been hypocritical about free speech? In the shadow of the Charlie Hebdo assassinations, Arthur Asseraf examines the history of French colonial double standards in Algeria.
Giles Fraser: What can Christianity teach us about free speech? Giles Fraser, commentator and Anglican priest, talks with Declan Johnston about the relationship between free speech and religion, and the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris.
Ian McEwan on free speech and religion The celebrated English novelist on Islam’s ‘totalitarian moment’ and why freedom of expression is not religion’s enemy but its protector.
What did the Buddha mean by ‘right speech’? Matthew Walton explores the deeper Buddhist context of right speech – and soul-searching on Buddhist internet message boards.
What is right speech and why is it important? Leslie Green argues that Buddhist ideas about avoiding divisive, abusive and false speech can help us live together well in free societies
Does Charlie Hebdo drift into racist caricatures? The first edition of the magazine since the attack in which 12 people were killed featured a cartoon of Muhammad on its cover. Myriam Francois-Cerrah objects.
Clueless in Gaza: Western media and the Arab-Israeli conflict John Lloyd explores the history and weakness of Western media coverage, and suggests one way it could be improved.
National Security: Sample our intellectual buffet. Or make your own meal. Timothy Garton Ash introduces a sample tour of the content on our site.
Religion: Sample our intellectual buffet. Or make your own meal. Timothy Garton Ash introduces a sample tour of the content on our site.
Salman Rushdie: What have been the most important changes to free speech in the last 25 years? 25 years after the fatwa and the fall of the Berlin Wall, Salman Rushdie discusses with Timothy Garton Ash whether there is now more or less freedom of expression in Europe, worrying developments in India and his critical view of Edward Snowden.
Should the LSE’s Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society have asked people to cover up people wearing religious t-shirts? At the London School of Economics Students’s Union Freshers’ Fair members of the Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Student Society were asked to cover up their T-shirts displaying a Jesus and Mo cartoon. This panel discussion discusses the freedom to offend and how to balance freedom of expression and civility.
Should Europe introduce a right to blasphemy? Alain Bouldoires talks to Timothy Garton Ash about the survival of blasphemy laws in Europe, and calls for a ‘right to blaspheme’.
A landmark Canadian hate speech case: Her Majesty the Queen v Keegstra In 1990, the Supreme Court of Canada issued a famous ruling in a case involving a high school teacher and alleged anti-Semitism. Max Harris explains.
Why Yale UP did not publish the Danish cartoons John Donatich, the director of Yale University Press, explains and defends his decision not to include illustrations in Jytte Klausen’s book.
Jytte Klausen: Should Yale University Press have removed images from the Danish cartoon controversy? Professor Jytte Klausen analyses and criticises Yale University Press’s decision to remove images of Muhammad from her scholarly book on the Danish cartoons controversy.
Nineteen arguments for hate speech bans – and against them Free speech scholar Eric Heinze identifies the main arguments for laws restricting hate speech and says none are valid for mature Western democracies.
What really threatens free expression in India Faisal Devji explores the deeper lessons from the forced withdrawal of an ‘alternative history’ of the Hindus.
‘They used the oven to get tanned, you know…’ Marc-Antoine Dilhac recounts how he confronted anti-semitic prejudice in a French classroom, and argues that more good comes from an open debate about hate speech than from banning it.
Who is threatening free speech in post-revolutionary Tunisia? Middle East specialist Rory McCarthy examines the role of Islamist movement Ennahdha in shaping, and constraining, freedom of speech in Tunisia after the Arab Spring.
Opt-in for porn? Then why not for religion? Leslie Green, a distinguished legal philosopher who has written extensively about issues of obscenity and pornography, challenges our case study on online porn filters.
From Muslim activist to free speech defender: the story of Ahmad Akkari and the Danish cartoon controversy Katie Engelhart speaks to Ahmad Akkari to find out why he apologised to one of the Danish cartoonists eight years after fuelling worldwide fury.
Why did the famous Indian painter M.F Husain feel he had to leave India? Shruti Kapila, Patrick French and Faisal Devji discuss freedom of expression and the arts in India.
Martha Nussbaum: How can we best approach the challenge of religious difference? Legal philosopher Martha Nussbaum gave the 2013 Dahrendorf Lecture, exploring how to live with religious diversity.
I enjoyed the Book of Mormon musical. Now for the Book of Islam? The Mormons reacted brilliantly to the musical satirising their faith, but something important is lost when we treat religions so differently – writes Katie Engelhart.
Jesus Christ Superstar? Not in Rostov, Russia The Russian parliament’s vote in support of a declaration against acts offending religious sentiments is symptomatic of worrying trends, write Olga Shvarova and Dominic Burbidge.
Taming the gods: How should we deal with religious threats to free speech? At the 2013 Jaipur Festival, Ian Buruma, Reza Aslan, Ahdaf Souief and Timothy Garton Ash, in conversation with Shoma Chaudhury, talk about the relationship between religion and politics and how to deal with religious threats to free speech.
Has the Strasbourg court allowed too much for local taboos? At the European Court of Human Rights, the case of I.A. against Turkey in 2005 acted as a controversial precedent for limiting Article 10’s definition of freedom of expression in the name of religion, explains Michele Finck.
Free speech as seen by a believer in an Abrahamic religion Islam, Christianity and Judaism are often accused of wanting to restrict free speech. Dominic Burbidge suggests a radically different perspective, from inside the thought-system of the Abrahamic faiths.
The practice of freedom Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi stresses the importance of free speech but emphasises the Buddhist idea of “right speech”.
William Dalrymple: Why Salman Rushdie was forced to cancel his visit to the Jaipur Literature Festival The historian and writer explains the reasoning behind author Salman Rushdie’s no-show at the 2012 Jaipur Literary Festival.
Mismanaging India’s temples – violation of ‘freedom to practice one’s own religion’? The Indian constitution grants freedom to worship freely, but the mismanagement of temples undermines this freedom, writes Avani Bansal.
Ayreh Neier: Why free speech is important in averting atrocities Aryeh Neier, human rights lawyer and president emeritus of the Open Society Foundations speaks about the future of free speech.
Can theatre talk about this? How a dance theatre production addresses issues of free speech, Islam and multiculturalism. Lloyd Newson, creator of ‘Can we talk about this?’, speaks to Maryam Omidi.
What’s your beef with my freedom to eat it? Bans on eating beef and pork are contested in India. Manav Bhuhshan discusses why this is an issue of caste discrimination and can be seen as a restriction on freedom of expression.
What are the biggest debates concerning Islam and free speech? FSD’s Katie Engelhart sat in on this Frontline Club debate to discuss controversy surrounding the YouTube video Innocence of Muslims.
A Muslim responds to the YouTube movie – on YouTube While a Pakistani minister offers a $100,000 reward for the murder of the man who made the notorious Innocence of Muslims video, a British Muslim responds in exemplary fashion to “this imbecile named Sam Bacile”. Timothy Garton Ash commends his clip.
Has Innocence of Muslims ended the innocence of YouTube? Join us to debate the role internet platforms like YouTube should play in setting free speech agendas in your country, your language and across the world. Online editor Brian Pellot kicks off the discussion.
Combatting hate speech in the Turkish media The Hrant Dink Foundation has run the Media Watch on Hate Speech project since 2009 to counter racist and discriminatory discourse in Turkish press. Project coordinators Melisa Akan and Nuran Agan explain the initiative.
Al-Azhar’s ‘Bill of Rights’ Following the Arab Spring, a venerable Islamic institution’s new Statement on Basic Freedoms suggests where sharia law may (and may not) be compatible with international conventions to guarantee free expression.
How Turkey’s imagination was censored during the Olympics During the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, a Turkish National TV presenter censored John Lennon’s song Imagine. FSD team member Funda Ustek discusses how Turkey is trying to eliminate its citizens’ ability to imagine a world without religion.
Pussy Riot, Putin’s Russia and the Orthodox Church Was punk band Pussy Riot’s anti-Putin performance in a Moscow church ‘religious hatred hooliganism’ or an artistic form of political dissent? Olga Shvarova considers the case.
Elif Shafak on our common humanity Acclaimed Turkish author Elif Shafak discusses the limits to free speech, the cosmopolitanism of her novels and the art of coexistence.
Westboro Baptist Church: the right to free speech? In 2011, the US supreme court ruled in favour of the anti-gay church’s right to protest at military funerals, writes Casey Selwyn.
What not to wear Maryam Omidi takes a look at banned clothing around the world – and concludes that women tend to be the target of dogmatic dress codes.
How should publishers respond to protests for and against the publication of the same essay? In 2011, three Indian scholars called on OUP India to re-publish an essay which had been denounced by Hindu extremists. Less than two weeks later, the publisher reversed its earlier decision not to re-publish.
On Free Speech: The power of the web This latest episode looks at the ethics of hacktivism, crowdsourcing in war zones and the right of Christians in the UK to wear the cross at work.
Is pro-terrorist speech a crime? Massachusetts says so In 2012, Tarek Mehanna was sentenced to 17 and a half years in prison by a US court for conspiring to provide support to terrorists, writes Jeff Howard.
Teaching creationism in US schools A new Tennessee law will permit teachers to discuss creationism alongside theories of evolution, writes Casey Selwyn.
Why hate speech should not be banned Restrictions on hate speech are not a means of tackling bigotry but of rebranding often obnoxious ideas or arguments are immoral, argues writer Kenan Malik.
Raising a “religious youth” in Turkey A new law allowing parents to send their children to Islamic schools at an earlier age has polarized Turkish society, write İrem Kök and Funda Üstek.
Can Christians wear the cross at work? Two Christian women are taking their fight to wear a crucifix in the workplace to the European Court of Human Rights, writes Dominic Burbidge.
On free speech: The fine art of activism The third episode of the On Free Speech podcast features exclusive interviews with filmmaker Nick Sturdee on the Russian art collective Voina and stand-up comedian Tom Greeves on the UK’s parody laws.
Broadcasting a massacre In March 2012, self-proclaimed jihadist Mohammed Merah strapped a camera to his chest before killing seven people in France. Al-Jazeera TV channel opted not to show the footage, writes Jeff Howard.
Why defamation laws do not protect vulnerable holders of faith Three human rights experts scrutinise the defamation of religion, which they argue misses the point by protecting faith but not vulnerable believes
Islam between free speech and hate speech The execution of apostates should be annulled but insulting religion should be recognised as a crime, writes Iranian cleric Mohsen Kadivar.
Irshad Manji on Allah, Liberty and Love: Why offence is a sign of truly free speech The director of the Moral Courage Project says so-called ‘respect’ for Muslims is often lined with fear and “low expectations” of those practising the faith.
Can Europe and the Middle East agree on the terms of freedom of expression? A lecture by Timothy Garton Ash in Egypt at the AUC New Cairo.
The trial of Naguib Sawiris Naguib Sawiris was accused of contempt for tweeting an image of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, respectively sporting a bushy beard and veil, writes Jacob Amis
Jerry Springer and blasphemous libel BBC television’s broadcast of Jerry Springer: The Opera in January 2005 was met with protests by Christian groups. Maryam Omidi discusses whether the BBC was right to air the programme.
How Turkish taboos perpetuate immaturity Professor Ayşe Kadıoğlu of Sabancı University speaks of her experience growing up in Turkey where taboos, many imposed by law, have trapped citizens “in a state of immaturity”.
Blasphemy law and violence in Pakistan In 2009, Aasia Bibi, a Christian Pakistani woman was accused of blasphemy. The governor who called for a review of her case was killed two years later, writes Ayyaz Mallick.
Geert Wilders on trial In 2011, Dutch right-wing politician Geert Wilders was cleared of charges of group defamation, incitement to hatred and discrimination against Muslims. Rutger Kaput looks at the case.
A Polish pop star derides the Bible In 2010, Polish singer Doda was charged with “offending religious feelings” after she said she believed more in dinosaurs than the creation story in the Bible. Annabelle Chapman considers the case.
Tom Cruise sues South Park Manav Bhushan and Casey Selwyn question whether it was right for Tom Cruise to threaten to sue US show South Park over an episode that depicted Scientology in a pejorative manner and blatantly hinted that he was gay.
India’s cartoon porn star The Indian authorities’ decision to ban Savita Bhabhi, an online comic strip featuring a promiscuous housewife with an insatiable appetite for sex, was met with a criticism from the press. Maryam Omidi weighs up whether it was the right decision.
Is nothing sacred? Religion and free speech Watch and listen to atheist philosopher A C Grayling, journalist and practising Christian Charles Moore, and Usama Hasan, a scientist and imam, discuss free speech and religion.
Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi: Should insults to religious beliefs be criminalised? The Iranian lawyer and Nobel peace prize winner talks to Free Speech Debate about freedom of expression in Iran and whether insults to religious and non-religious beliefs should be criminalised.