President Obama Signs on to UN Censorship

USA Today's Jonathan Turley notes on his blog that we, the USA, through the current administration, have agreed to something he calls "blasphemy laws", saying

"While attracting surprisingly little attention, the Obama administration supported the effort of largely Muslim nations in the U.N. Human Rights Council* to recognize exceptions to free speech for any "negative racial and religious stereotyping." The exception was made as part of a resolution supporting free speech that passed this month, but it is the exception, not the rule that worries civil libertarians. "

It is a story worth reading, along with the references to other articles, blogs, and opinion pieces and the actions that have been taken under this sort of fear (of Muslims) UN regulation.

This sort of censorship is a very bad thing. And not because it mostly supports Islamic fundamentalism (another bad thing). But because it is yet another step in demonizing, or even criminalizing, personal beliefs.

In a sort of backwards way, Mr. Turley reveals part of the administrations true intent by including among his examples, an incident where...

"In Canada, the Alberta human rights commission punished the Rev. Stephen Boission and the Concerned Christian Coalition for anti-gay speech, not only awarding damages but also censuring future speech that the commission deems inappropriate."

Since homosexuality is not a religion, how is it "blasphemous" for a Canadian minister to write a letter to the editor conveying his religious beliefs by highlighting the church's position on the homosexual agenda. (National Review Online) (Read the decision here)

The last time I looked, homosexuality was not a religion.

Mr. Turley summarizes with...

"However, the fear is that, when speech becomes sacrilegious, only the religious will have true free speech."

That may not be accurate when you consider that in the case (above) as the religious belief is being punished.

So, it isn't so much about censoring so called blasphemous speech against religion. It is about censoring speech that any particular group or individual determines is unacceptable. Commonly known as the exact opposite of free speech.

The sad part is that the Obama administration supports such un-American censorship. It lets you know that the "Real change you can believe in" has little to do with the American way of life.