Source: Persuasion
by Max Klinger
“On June 2, Westminster Magistrates Court convicted [Hamit] Coskun of a ‘religiously aggravated public order offence’ for his protest — specifically ‘disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress,’ motivated by ‘hostility towards members of a religious group, namely followers of Islam,’ under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Public Order Act 1986. Look beyond the legal jargon and the verdict raises unsettling questions about whether Britain is witnessing a return of blasphemy laws (technically abolished in England in 2008) in all but name. It also highlights threats to liberty posed by ‘hate speech’ legislation, which diminishes free speech in the name of preventing supposed ‘harm’ caused by the voicing of certain attitudes and ideas.” (06/23/25)
https://www.persuasion.community/p/blasphemy-laws-by-a-different-name