RADIO NETHERLANDS WORLDWIDE: A majority in the Dutch parliament, led by the ruling Labour Party, wants to scrap a law which fines or even imprisons people who commit blasphemy. But although the law isn't used anymore, even debating whether or not to scrap it is sensitive. The Christian parties in Dutch politics have always argued to keep it on the books.
Now, tension is high in anticipation of far right Dutch MP Geert Wilders' film, which is expected to be considered blasphemous by most Muslims. And although there's a majority for scrapping the law, government is not asked to get rid of it immediately.
The Netherlands is known as a permissive country. Prostitution is legal, people of the same sex can get married. But if you take the lord's name in vain, you risk a fine, or imprisonment. A law forbidding blasphemy is still on the books. Now parliament wants to change that. Law against blasphemy to be scrapped >>> By John Tyler, political editor | 13-03-2008
Mark Alexander (Paperback)
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