Blasphemy laws restrict free speech in an effort to protect religion fromlegitimatescrutiny and criticism. In addition these supposed laws claim a certain, legitimate right to encroach on free expression, through art, love, or human character.

A recent example, posted on Theweek.co.uk today, 27th February 2014

'Katy Perry has been accused of blasphemy, in a petition started by a UK Muslim and signed by 60,000 people around the world, in the video for her song Dark Horse. The video shows Perry as a Cleopatra-like queen who turns suitors into sand. One of the suitors is wearing a pendant with ‘Allah’ written on it in Arabic.'

I'd like to consider something Stephen Fry once said about offence, and link in with that...

“It's now very common to hear people say, 'I'm rather offended by that.' As if that gives them certain rights. It's actually nothing more... than a whine. 'I find that offensive.' It has no meaning; it has no purpose; it has no reason to be respected as a phrase. 'I am offended by that.' Well, so f***ing what." [I saw hate in a graveyard -- Stephen Fry, The Guardian, 5 June 2005]”

The idea of blasphemy has been around for a very long time, but isn't blasphemy just another form of offence, one that shouldn't actually mean anything either, albeit a far more dangerous form of offence, as perceived by the eyes of particular individuals, with a certain set of religious, or cultural credentials?!

The example above refers to 'blasphemy' against the Muslim faith, but in relation to ANY particular faith, should we allow the voices of those offended in such a way to ring out, however fervently believed?

I would like to suggest 'no' in this case, with a view against religious encroachment on free society. If you would too, please sign.

I'm not talking about an easy to ignore, or disregard opinion sent into 'points of view,' but the rousing, supposed views of the fanatically homogeneous, here and there, on a mass scale.

Indeed, I realise the above mentioned petition doesn't appear to have bent its subscribers to specificbehaviours, asseen in 2006, following a series of Danish cartoons, perhaps this music video didn't quite hit the same buttons, and I applaud the 'petition' approach of 60,000 Muslims in this case, however, should one believer’s, or another’s, views on blasphemy, or offence, be allowed to expect an inescapable change, from the creators of such opposing ‘points of view?’

If you support a person’s right to create a piece of work, regardless of its potential to cause offence, of any kind, please sign.