Dutch Blasphemy Law

From DW:
"Dutch ready to revoke blasphemy law"

While some countries convict people for blasphemy and tighten laws concerning insulting religions, the Netherlands aims to strike blasphemy from the books. But the Dutch are going to make one royal exception. Blasphemy has been illegal in the Netherlands since 1932. But it's been decades since the statue has seen the light of a courtroom - the last time anyone was convicted of "offensive blasphemy" was in 1968. Now, the Dutch government would like to remove the law entirely. The Dutch parliament in The Hague has suggested abolishing section 147, under which blasphemy becomes a punishable offense. Any insults lobbed at the Dutch Queen Beatrix, however, shall continue to be a punishable offense. A new parliament appears ready to scrap the blasphemy law For a long time, Britain's law on blasphemy only covered insults against a Christian God. The law was finally struck from the books just a few years ago. While most European countries have taken a tolerant approach toward blasphemy and the insulting of religions, Ireland toughened its blasphemy law in 2009. Since then, the publication of blasphemous materials is a crime punishable by a fine of up to 25,000 euros ($32,700). Often, political and social conflicts within a country are veiled within accusations of blasphemy. In Russia, charges of blasphemy were used against the band Pussy Riot. Three women were convicted in August as a result of their protests against President Vladimir Putin through a "punk prayer" they sang in a Moscow church. In a conviction that caused international outrage, two of the band members were sent to prison camp.

 

^ I didn't know that the Netherlands or any Western countries had blasphemy laws. I thought those that gone out long ago. I do not think any country that considers itself a democracy should continue to have blasphemy laws. As long as no one calls for violence against any person or group then they should be allowed to do and say what they like whether it is against a monarch or a God (isn't that true freedom of speech after all? )

http://www.dw.de/dutch-ready-to-revoke-blasphemy-law/a-16428148