# Black Adder jailed for poking fun at religion? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 7, 2004, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596 "2004-12-07T19:06:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/21 "2004-12-08T10:49:49Z")
Just a small point on the blasphemy law - the intention is that it’ll be repealed and replaced by this new law. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk\_politics/3752232.stm](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3752232.stm) ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/22 "2004-12-08T11:40:42Z")
I wish the left and right would stop stealing each other’s ideas. The ridiculous notion of so-called “hate speech” was once the sole province of the hand-wringers. Now, the tight-asses want to get in on the act. Not only will our wallets be confiscated, but we’ll be wrapped up like mummies lest we touch ourselves in forbidden places. ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/23 "2004-12-08T12:01:19Z")
> [@hildea](#): > > Actually, the aftermath of that incident gave me _more_ hope for a future multicultural, tolerant Norway, not less. Because mullah Krekar _didn’t_ issue a fatwa, despite being furious and strongly offended. Instead, this fundamentalist (that’s how he describes himself) went to the Norwegian courts, and sued her for sexual harrasment - he said she’d touched his ass. (I’m not sure if “sue” is the right word here, he wasn’t after money, and said he’d drop the case if she apoligised in person to him and his wife.) She picked him up without asking? Well, yeah, he should get a sense of humour, he’s not helping his case. But on the other hand, we do have a right not to be manhandled, even by pretty people smaller than us, if we don’t want to be, no? ---
**Author:** ![hildea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ebca7d/32.png) [@hildea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hildea)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/24 "2004-12-08T12:53:49Z")
> [@](#): > > She picked him up without asking? More or less, yes. They were both taking part in a public televised debate about Krekar’s book. After the debate, she asked him if he’d submit to a test. He agreed, and she lifted him up. [Immigrant comedienne maddens Mullah](http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article783368.ece) [Police dismiss Krekar’s complaint](http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article786999.ece) > [@](#): > > But on the other hand, we do have a right not to be manhandled, even by pretty people smaller than us, if we don’t want to be, no? Well, yes, I’m inclined to agree. I have mixed feelings about the police dismissing his case. And not to go completely off topic: This is a case where insult of someone’s religion _is_ important. She’s lifted other powerful men before, including a bishop and a leader of a major political party. From what I’ve read, an important reason why Krekar was so offended is that according to his religion (I’m not sure which branch of Islam this is, or how sincere he was when claiming this), it’s Doubleplusungood to be touched by a woman not his wife. So an action which would be at worst an embarrasment to most people becomes a serious offense to Krekar, because of his religion. I’m not sure how I stand on whether the courts should take that into consideration or not. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/25 "2004-12-08T13:26:49Z")
“We’ve switched the Rabbi’s beef sandwich with the Guru’s ham sandwich - watch the fun when halfway through they both realise what’s happened!” Personally I think most such religious rules are bunk, particularly the not-being touched-by-women ones (note this applies to many Buddhist monks and priests too), but if you’re going to extend respect to one set of religious rules, you need to extend it to all. That said, it’s fucking funny. ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/26 "2004-12-08T14:05:24Z")
> [@hildea](#): > > Well, yes, I’m inclined to agree. I have mixed feelings about the police dismissing his case. And not to go completely off topic: This is a case where insult of someone’s religion _is_ important. She’s lifted other powerful men before, including a bishop and a leader of a major political party. From what I’ve read, an important reason why Krekar was so offended is that according to his religion (I’m not sure which branch of Islam this is, or how sincere he was when claiming this), it’s Doubleplusungood to be touched by a woman not his wife. So an action which would be at worst an embarrasment to most people becomes a serious offense to Krekar, because of his religion. I’m not sure how I stand on whether the courts should take that into consideration or not. Yeah, exactly. _How_ doubleplusungood? I mean, I find lots of religious traditions silly personally, and if the tradition is insulting to someone else, then mocking it is a good way to point it out, but on the other hand, if not, mocking and then sayign “Get a sense of humour” is a bit nasty (and even if _he_ deserved it, what if it’s offensive to other people of the same religion)? What’s a good analogy? Feeding non-kosher to a jew? Showing a fundamentalist a picture of a woman in a bikini? Burning an american flag? Picking up a shy man? Some of those seem amusing, some beyond the pale. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/27 "2004-12-08T14:15:17Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > “We’ve switched the Rabbi’s beef sandwich with the Guru’s ham sandwich - watch the fun when halfway through they both realise what’s happened!” > > Personally I think most such religious rules are bunk, particularly the not-being touched-by-women ones (note this applies to many Buddhist monks and priests too), but if you’re going to extend respect to one set of religious rules, you need to extend it to all. There is no need for the government to respect any set of “religious rules” as such. The act described is no more, and no less, criminal if the two parties object for some purely secular reason (e.g. they are mildly allergic to ham and beef, respectively). ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/28 "2004-12-08T14:16:59Z")
> [@gum](#): > > I agree that suing is better than shooting someone nine times in the leg, slitting his throat and finally stabbing a letter with text out of the quoran with a knife in his stomach. Well, unless Gloria Allred or Johnnie Cochran are involved. In that case, I’ll opt for the shooting, slitting and stabbing, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![marky33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@marky33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marky33)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/29 "2004-12-08T15:04:14Z")
If you live in a secular country and you are offended by a comedian’s take on your religion, don’t watch him, tell your mates to watch him etc – don’t look to the government for a shield. Personally, I’m offended by parents who make their children do “amusing” things - often involving food - on tape to send in to “Funniest Home Videos” but I don’t expect the government to ban such shows. Comedy, like art, should be free of restriction. Thankyou ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/30 "2004-12-08T15:19:20Z")
> [@marky33](#): > > Comedy, like art, should be free of restriction. > > Thankyou Does that include racial stereotype comedy? Who judges what is funny? ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/31 "2004-12-08T15:28:19Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Does that include racial stereotype comedy? Who judges what is funny? Maybe _all_ speech should be free 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/32 "2004-12-08T15:31:27Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Does that include racial stereotype comedy? Who judges what is funny? Yes it does, and the person who judges what is and is not funny is the listener. There are plenty of comedians who i find extremely offensive. Some use ridiculous racial stereotypes, others demean women, and still others rag on gays and homosexuality. But i’m not interested in having any of them banned. Instead, i refuse to listen to them or support them in any way, and when the occasion arises i encourage others to do the same, and explain why i think the work of those comedians is undeserving of our attention or approbation. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/33 "2004-12-08T15:32:51Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Does that include racial stereotype comedy? Who judges what is funny? IMO, yes. Even racial stereotype comedy should be free to be aired. Note that “being free to air” this type of thing doesn’t mean to be free of criticism from the public. Only that it should not be banned or forbidden by the government. One of the few things I actually disagree strongly with the Canadian system on is the whole “hate speech” ban in their charter. And when I was in college, I thought the hate speech bans were ridiculous and way overkill. Just because someone holds to most (modern American) liberal opinions doesn’t mean that we’re drinking the kool-aid. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/34 "2004-12-08T15:37:59Z")
> [@Shade](#): > > Maybe _all_ speech should be free 🙂 Does _that_ include death threats, libel, etc.? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/35 "2004-12-08T15:41:53Z")
> [@Steve MB](#): > > There is no need for the government to respect any set of “religious rules” as such. The act described is no more, and no less, criminal if the two parties object for some purely secular reason (e.g. they are mildly allergic to ham and beef, respectively). I agree - I was merely talking in terms of courtesy, and I think the guy’s legal action is bunk. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/36 "2004-12-08T15:43:01Z")
There’s a P. J. O’Rourke which I can’t find to quote exactly, but goes something like, “Healthy freedom of speech is a safety valve for our society. Healthy freedom of speech gives us David Duke, but no freedom of speech gives us Hitler, and there’s a huge difference between the two.” ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/37 "2004-12-08T16:24:40Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > If this law passes, would most _Black Adder_ reruns be outlawed and burned? Just _think_ of some of the stuff he got away with! **Blackadder ;**"I’m not convinced that Christianity would have established its firm grip over the hearts and minds of mankind if all Jesus had ever said was “Woof.” Most of the humour in Blackadder involving religion is similar to most humour in religion. It doesn’t attack or criticize the religion. That’s not only pointless and boring, but it’s not funny either. What it does instead is lampoon the self-important, the sour-faced and the pious who would use religion as a way of belittling and supressing others. Which is a time-honoured function of humour and any government that thinks they can regulate this are out of their minds. The problem with this stupid proposed law is that it is all a matter of taste as to where the line should be drawn. Not just in what counts as “threatening, abusive or insulting”, but also in what counts as a religion. Are all christians at risk for having a go at the satanists? Does atheist and agnostics get the same protection? If someone says all non-believers are going to hell, that sounds pretty much like a threat to me. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/38 "2004-12-08T18:15:42Z")
Mhendo, Jayjay, and I are all in agreement. There might be an icy patch in hell. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/39 "2004-12-08T18:27:37Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Mhendo, Jayjay, and I are all in agreement. There might be an icy patch in hell. 😃 I’m not THAT far to the left! Most of the time. I’ll admit that I swerved a bit westward just before and just after the election, but the interesting phenomenon there was that I think pretty much everyone did, left and right…just skittered straight for the left and right walls around September 15, left the dance floor just plain deserted. We didn’t start drifting back until the middle of November… ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596/40 "2004-12-08T18:57:05Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Does that include racial stereotype comedy? Who judges what is funny? [Goodness Gracious Me](http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/g/goodnessgracious_66601650.shtml) is right out then, shame it was a great show. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-adder-jailed-for-poking-fun-at-religion/278596.md?page=3)