Italian charged with defaming Islam

[Pekka]

religious feeling people? You mean who oppose the fact that terrorists have killed people? That's a fact. Saying facts is not offending anyone, and if it is, we should kill them too because obviosuly they are not worth keeping alive if you ask me.

[Bereta_Eder]

DanS
I completely disagree with your definition, it reeks of self-centerism and doesnt take into account a basic feeling of your fellow man. definitely not civilized. more jungle like.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by alva

Bollocks, western civilisation is superior over Islamic civilisation

I guess I just don't have a pecking order of civilizations.

[our_man]

Bollocks, western civilisation is superior over Islamic civilisation

I am inclined to agree with you to a certain extent, but it's important in situations like this not to thinks in absolutes; after all, it's all relative. I find the practice of polygamy in Islamic society to be immoral, wrong and demeaning to women, while they would no doubt say the same things about the way women dress in the West.

I got the impression from the article that she was being charged for inciting religious hatred, not for defaming Islam, which makes it a bit less sensationalist in my view. Having not read the book, I can't judge, but if the book was written with the specific purpose of engendering hate towards Muslims in Italy, then she should be held accountable. If not, then the court shouldn't be wasting it's time. However, it's a fine line to decide what falls into the realm of free speech and is acceptable criticism, and what isn't. Unless she's calling for people directly to go out and murder Muslims, or saying killing Muslims is good, I think she'll get off.

Reasons as to why this is a positive development: by bringing this woman to court Italy will be showing that people should not be targetted because of their relgious beliefs. Muslim activists will have no reason to protest when we start rounding up rogue imams that are inciting hatred against Christians and Jews in their mosques.

[Agathon]

It's funny how the barbarous Americans like to see themselves as part of Western Civilization rather than as its subverters and destroyers.

Begone foul oiks!!!

[Bereta_Eder]

In "La Forza della Ragione," Fallaci wrote that terrorists had killed 6,000 people over the past 20 years in the name of the Koran and said the Islamic faith "sows hatred in the place of love and slavery in the place of freedom."

that alone is condemable.

[DanS]

It might be condemnable, but why would it be against the law? It's her opinion. She is free to express her opinion. It doesn't matter if it sows hate. The only correct prohibition to my mind is if it immediately causes violence. What she wrote is none of the government's goddamn business.

[General Ludd]

Originally posted by JohnT

In "La Forza della Ragione," Fallaci wrote that terrorists had killed 6,000 people over the past 20 years in the name of the Koran and said the Islamic faith "sows hatred in the place of love and slavery in the place of freedom."

Just weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks, Fallaci published "La Rabbia e l'Orgoglio" ("The Rage and the Pride"), in which she said the West was superior to Islamic society

But doesn't a defamation charge have to be untrue for it to be defaming?

I don't know what the standards are in Italy/the EU. Perhaps they're lower than here in the States.

There is never any truth to claims of superiority in this context.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by MrFun
Saying that Western civilization is superior to Islamic civilization is not true. Neither is superior to the other.

Bull****! Our civilization is superior. Whether you measure by how we treat women or homosexuals or freedom of thought or freedom of religion or standard of living or not having to wear bushy moustaches, Western civilization is clearly superior.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by paiktis22
that alone is condemable.

So she can be prosecuted for speaking the truth? Nice set up you have in Europe. It's nie to know that while Europe is generally better than the U.S., we still have some areas where we are better than you.

[Alex]

the problem when you defame Islam is that some lunatics put a price on your head and detonate explosives on your front door. you don't see this happening when you defame christianity (except perhaps in jesusland, of course).

[Pekka]

che, nice generalisation right there my stalinist friend. According TO ME it's not to be condemned. Christian religion is fair game, so is any other religion. Everyone has the right to be offended by them speeches though and they can raise their voice. I don't know what is happneing in Italy now, seems like the terrorist lovers has strong lobby.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Pekka
According TO ME it's not to be condemned.

Unless things have changed recently, Pekka, you are not the government.

[Pekka]

So? I'm the beacon of Europe. I denounce European politicians anyway. Nothing but *****es.

[chequita guevara]

Well I was doenouncing European politics too, not Europeans.