Jerry Springer and the end of blasphemy
Back in December, Christian Voice announced that they were planning to appeal against the High Court verdict that they should stop being so silly over Jerry Springer: The Opera. On Wednesday, the House of Lords refused to hear their petition of appeal because it did “not raise an arguable point of law of general public importance.”
Wednesday was also the day that the House of Lords debated the amendment to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill challenging the blasphemy law.
The amendment had been originally proposed in the Commons by Lib Dem MP Dr Evan Harris who later withdrew it after the Government promised to introduce its own amendment later in the Lords. The Government were finally forced to make good on their promise, after a month’s “consultation”, when Lord Avebury tabled the amendment himself.
The Government were less than enthusiastic, the Bishops were divided and the debate was acrimonious but but the Lords finally voted – by 148 votes to 87 – to abolish the common law of blasphemy and blasphemous libel.
In opening the debate, Baroness Andrews noted Stephen Green’s antics and the fact that he has managed to reinforce the “recognition that the offences appear to be moribund.”
As The Earl of Onslow pointed out (PDF):
Blasphemy is a crime that is open to intense mockery. As the Minister said, something that is open to mockery and has been used only four times since 16-something-or-other has no place on the statute book.
The Church of England is perfectly capable of looking after itself and the blasphemy law is obsolete and unnecessary and we will be well rid of it.
Sunday 09 Mar 2008 | Paul | UK
