Burning Religious Texts and Icons

[JoeyKnothead]

From the article here.

A 15-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of inciting religious hatred after allegedly burning an English-language version of the Qur'an – and then posting video footage of the act on Facebook.

For debate:

Should it be a crime for folks to burn religious texts or icons they personally own?

[JoeyKnothead]

Arresting this young lady is a travesty.

Given the vitriol so many religious texts present regarding non-adherents and non-believers, I am appalled at the notion one's holy text should be free from criticism.

I will be uploading a video of my burning of a Koran to show support for this young lady.

I fear really speaking my mind here would result in an immediate ban, and leave such comments to the observer's imagination.

[Kuan]

They seriously arrested her? Freedom of speech man...I dont know how it goes in the U.K. though. I dont see nothing wrong with it. I mean extremist muslims burn our flags and stuff, so what if extremist christians burn their book?

[WinePusher]

Should it be a crime for folks to burn religious texts or icons they personally own?

No, burning sacred and meaningful items has become a major outlet by which people protest. It's an unfortunate way to get across your point, and it doesn't lend any creditibility to your cause, but it definitly get's people attention.

It's legal to burn the American Flag, so likewise it's legal to burn a Qur'an or a Bible. I don't know whether I support that right or not, I do know that I have no respect for Flag Burners, or holy book burners.

[Lux]

Should it be a crime for folks to burn religious texts or icons they personally own?

Absolutely not, that is absurd. If it's legal to circulate the violence-inciting xenophobic content of some religious texts, then it sure should be legal to burn such texts as a form of protest. While I'm personally not at all a fan of the practice, I think it falls into the free speech category, and freedom of speech should not be messed with.

[DeBunkem]

One I'd burn...the traitor flag.

[Icharus Arisen]

deleted

[Filthy Tugboat]

From the article here.

A 15-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of inciting religious hatred after allegedly burning an English-language version of the Qur'an – and then posting video footage of the act on Facebook.

For debate:

Should it be a crime for folks to burn religious texts or icons they personally own?

It certainly shouldn't be illegal. It is not an action that I would participate in or endorse in any way but there is no legal principle that can be used to support arresting that person. I find it rather odd that people would even attempt to practice such a foolhardy venture given the action is commonly associated with Nazism and Hitler. I mean it does nothing to support your cause other than gain attention which could result in losing favor.

Religious hatred is a bad thing now? I was under the impression that active opposition to those ideals and texts that incite so much hatred and violence themselves was not a crime. Freedom of speech > Freedom of religion

[cnorman18]

One I'd burn...the traitor flag.

Speaking as a Southerner, I'd like to weigh in on that. I agree; though I don't regard it as a symbol of "traitors," I do regard it as a symbol of racism and support for racist violence, e.g. lynchings and cross-burnings, and I think it a praiseworthy act to burn it as a statement of opposition to those beliefs and practices.

Some say that the Confederate battle flag is a symbol of Southern heritage and pride and not necessarily of racism, slavery and murder. I suppose that might be true for some, but those who think that seem to have stood by silently while that flag was adopted by racists and white supremacists as their preferred symbol, and in my opinion they have therefore forfeited that argument. When Southerners who profess to be proud of that heritage speak out as strongly against racists who display it as they do against those who burn it, I'll listen.

I doubt if anyone who wears or displays the Confederate flag regards it as a symbol for treason, though. Overt racism and support for racist violence is bad enough.

[East of Eden]

One I'd burn...the traitor flag.

Amazing how secession was good in 1776, and bad in 1861.

Need any matches for that Koran fire, Joey?