Muslim Nations Seeking International Blasphemy Ban

Fox News has a very interesting article today on muslim nations that are seeking to ban blasphemy.  Click here to read the full article.

GENEVA —  Four years after cartoons of the prophet Muhammad set off violent protests across the Muslim world, Islamic nations are mounting a campaign for an international treaty to protect religious symbols and beliefs from mockery — essentially a ban on blasphemy that would put them on a collision course with free speech laws in the West.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that Algeria and Pakistan have taken the lead in lobbying to eventually bring the proposal to a vote in the U.N. General Assembly.

If ratified in countries that enshrine freedom of expression as a fundamental right, such a treaty would require them to limit free speech if it risks seriously offending religious believers. The process, though, will take years and no showdown is imminent.

The proposal faces stiff resistance from Western countries, including the United States, which in the past has brushed aside other U.N. treaties, such as one on the protection of migrant workers.

Experts say the bid stands some chance of eventual success if Muslim countries persist. And whatever the outcome, the campaign risks reigniting tensions between Muslims and the West that President Barack Obama has pledged to heal, reviving fears of a "clash of civilizations."

What do you think of these proposals?  Good idea?  Bad Idea?  Sound off.

Comments

[Andrew Axsom]

If something like this were to pass and go into effect I could see it potentially increasing global Christian persecution. That is to say, it could be used a a basis for crackdowns on Christians. We already know that Muslim governments (and any government persecuting Christians) hate Christ and the gospel.

This proposed ban would say in essence that is is against the law to say anything that would discredit or defame Muhammad. And what do we say as Christians? Muhammad is false. He was not a prophet and did not know God.

In my mind, I could see this ban providing some international legal "legitimacy" to muslim persecution of Christians.