Did you know that last Wednesday fortnight\u00a0was the first ‘Blasphemy Day’? But then growing up in Australia I have heard blasphemy go unchecked since childhood. Just attend a\u00a0sporting event in Australia!<\/p>\n
I recently read an article by Ronald Lindsay,\u00a0“Taking aim at God on ‘Blasphemy Day”<\/a>.\u00a0 I found it liberating (I want people to talk freely about God) and troubling (I\u00a0want to live in loving relationship with my neighbour).<\/p>\n Outraged by nations that want to execute blasphemers and propelled by a deep belief in the freedom of expression, Lindsay is forging ahead with his “nothing is sacred” movement. Wednesday marked the first organised observance of Blasphemy Day, a series of events, exhibits and lectures unfolding in a host of mostly North American cities that are part of a larger Campaign for Free Expression.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n But to Lindsay, a society is not truly free unless people can freely air their views on any subject – including\u00a0God.\u00a0I have\u00a0areas of agreement with Lindsay\u00a0but also\u00a0some questions:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Race and Religion:<\/strong> Note that race and religion are\u00a0different and therefore should be spoken of differently.\u00a0A person’s race cannot be decided upon or denied wheras religious or ideological belief is said to be chosen and is therefore open to\u00a0questioning and challenge.<\/p>\n Clearly I urge people not to blaspheme.<\/strong> But along with Voltaire I would prefer to endure disrespect to my beliefs, including irreverence towards the God of my religious beliefs, than curtail the right of a person to express those beliefs. The fact that blasphemy is a crime under our Tasmanian legislation is potentially dangerous to free and honest conversation about deeply held religious beliefs.<\/p>\n A cultural aspect<\/strong> of this issue is the use of what is technically blasphemy, but which is a vernacular use of the divine names in Anglo-Saxon Australian culture. While I and many other Christians find the (mis)use of the divine names ‘Jesus Christ’ and ‘God’ to express surprise or disapproval, to be hurtful and offensive, I also recognise that this (mis)use is not meant to give offense to either Christians or to God.<\/p>\n In conclusion<\/strong>, I believe the crime of blasphemy should be removed from the criminal code and we should work towards social harmony through our own offices. A high priority must be given to the education of Tasmanians in different religious beliefs and practices.<\/p>\n My full article on Blasphemy is here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Did you know that last Wednesday fortnight\u00a0was the first ‘Blasphemy Day’? But then growing up in Australia I have heard blasphemy go unchecked since childhood. Just attend a\u00a0sporting event in Australia! I recently read an article by Ronald Lindsay,\u00a0“Taking aim … Continue reading \n