Religious Censorship

Say no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil

British Muslims protest in Brighton against Penguin's plan to publish The Satanic Verses (March 1989)

It all started with a mid-air explosion of an aeroplane.

In less than six months from its release in September 1988, Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses, which opened with the crash, has been banned in no less than 10 countries.

A fatwa against Rushdie was issued in February 1989 by the leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini, for blasphemy against Islam.

A month before, the book was ceremonially burnt in England.

Keith Proteous Wood, director of National Secular Society, believes it was the watershed for those pushing for religious censorship.

"The government did nothing to punish those who threatened Rushdie's life or his freedom of expression. I think it gave a grossly regrettable signal to the rest of the country about what is permissible and what isn't."

From Rushdie to Jerry

Jerry Springer:The Opera

He believes the protests over Jerry Springer and Behzti learnt from the Rushdie affair.

"Freedom of speech is already being threatened quite severely with every succeeding year from religious groups.”

Mike Judge, spokesperson from Christian Institute counters: "What about the freedom for Christians not to have their faith denigrated on national broadcast channel?"

John Beyer of MediaWatch says: “If people are going to exploit freedom of expression and harm society, that freedom should be curtailed.”

Still, all stressed on "peaceful, democratic protests", as if to distance themselves from Christian Voice.

Moral backlash?

Stephen Green, Christian Voice

Its director Stephen Green says he regrets publishing contact details of BBC executives, leading them to receive threats, but won't stop his campaign against the show.

Like Christian Institute, he accuses the media of double standards: "It's alright to insult Christians and their God but not Muslims and their God."

He also sees the Rushdie and Behzti affairs as examples.

"When the Sikhs fight back, they (government) don't know what to do. Now Christians are getting uppity and things are blowing up in their faces.

"About time too."

Still, sociologists and secularists say these unprecedented protests as well as complaints for Mr. Kipling Pies and Shameless advertisements are more of an exception than the rule.

The facts are more complicated.

Negative publicity works

Cancer charity Maggie Centres declined a donation from Avalon, the company behind Jerry Springer because of pressure from Christian Voice.

Besides having to cancel its shows in over 11 towns, Avalon also lost an investor due to the negative publicity, according to an industry source who declines to be named.

“550 performances were staged before we have a complaint from a Christian organisation.”

A source close to Jerry Springer:The Opera

The source also says the show was legitimately reviewed by the Christian press and “550 performances were staged before we have a complaint from a Christian organisation.”

Christian Institute lost its court case against BBC for airing the show but the publicity has elevated its cause.

The Behzti affair wasn't better. The playwright went into hiding after receiving death threats and the Birmingham Theatre suffered destruction. It declines to comment.

Another nail in the coffin

It is not surprising then the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill generated heated debate.

Rowan Atkinson: a vocal opponent to the incitement bill

Comedian Rowan Atkinson called it ‘creepy' and ‘draconian' and led a consortium of artists and politicians in submitting an amendment to the Public Order Act in a last-minute attempt to stop the bill.

They believe this is another nail in the coffin for freedom of speech. However, the backbench revolt lost by 57 votes during its second round reading in June.

In a speech to Oxford University in the aftermath of Jerry Springer furore, BBC controller Jana Bennett said airing Jerry Springer isn't a ‘popularity contest' where the highest number of complaints will lead to cancelling the show.

She also said the BBC will not be swayed by such tactics.

Brave words indeed. But will it still hold with the new bill and extremist campaigns getting results?

Other moral debates: Abortion, Homosexuality

Food For Thought

• Even Christian groups are divided over the incitement bill.