European Union says freedom of expression means freedom to "offend, shock or disturb" -- unless subject is Islam

They didn't make the exception explicitly here. But MENA reported this in September: "Arab League chief Nabil al-Araby said Wednesday that the league, along with the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the European Union and the African Union are close to formulating an international agreement penalizing blasphemy and insults to religious figures." And of course only Muslims want to criminalize "blasphemy and insults to religious figures."

Of course, al-Araby may be lying. But on the other hand, Europe has not appeared to be a bastion of free speech over the last few years.

"EU says artists are free to 'shock,'" from UPI, November 1 (thanks to Block Ness):

BRUSSELS, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- The European Union criticized Poland's supreme court for allowing prosecutors to try Adam Darski, leader of the band Behemoth, for illegal artistic expression.

At issue is the interpretation of Article 196 of the Polish penal code referring to "the crime of offending religious sensibilities." While on stage in 2007, Darski, singer in the heavy metal band, allegedly ripped pages from a Bible and referred to the Catholic Church as a "murderous cult," the EU Observer said Wednesday.

In a statement, the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, cited the European Convention of Human Rights' section on freedom of expression, noting, "This right protects not only information or ideas that are favorable received or regarded as inoffensive ... but also those that offend, shock or disturb."...

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While on stage in 2007, Darski, singer in the heavy metal band, allegedly ripped pages from a Bible and referred to the Catholic Church as a "murderous cult," the EU Observer said Wednesday.

OK Darski, my little 'enfant terrible', let's see you do the same with a Qur'an! You could just as well refer to Islam as a murderous cult - but this time it would be accurate.

Clown!

"OK Darski, my little 'enfant terrible', let's see you do the same with a Qur'an! You could just as well refer to Islam as a murderous cult - but this time it would be accurate."

And the enfant terrible will be killed by some mohammedan, no doubt. Not much fear of that happening when "insulting" Christians! That's why they do it with impunity.

O there's punity. Punity-aplenty! God have mercy on this child's soul. Yet another difference between the Christian faith and all cults is that we can take criticism. We know that the church isn't always right. There have been murderous episodes in church history. There are people even now who make the faith into a cult for themselves. We Know all that and yet Christ is still King.

Freedom of expression on LiveLeak:

Yesterday, I posted this 3 minutes video on LiveLeak.

http://crossmuslims.blogspot.com/2010/05/drawing-muhammad-dessiner-mahomet.html

Their answer:

From: System
Nov-1-2012 04:49:06 Item 'Drawing Muhammad "Halal"' deleted!
One of our moderators has deleted item: Drawing Muhammad "Halal"
This item has been deleted because of a possible violation of our terms of service!

Apparently, "one of their moderators" didn't appreciate my freedom to offend, shock or disturb!!!

What is exhibited here is that the flickering of true Christendom and Western mores has not been fully extinguished quite yet.

While the West continues to moan and slump into a morass of befuddlement, Eastern Europe is assuming the mantle of some semblance of virtue.

Poland does not preclude use of de facto blasphemy laws to stand for some measure of propriety and honor in the public sphere. Hungary is incorporating elements of Christendom into its new constitution. And Russia is championing a resolution touting traditional values at the UN Human Rights Council, with some apparent Islamic support, while fending off opposition from the US, Canada, and EU.

Perhaps the Slavs will kick-start the valiant rebirth we truly need.

But I am due to appear in a U.K court on January 3rd 2013 for expressing opposition to Islam because two well intentioned ladies believe it is a racist act to oppose Islam and the police and Crown Prosecution Service support them.

Sorry "mushkwaismeister" but Europe does not need that type of "valiant rebirth".
European countries (with the notable exception of France) do not have anything in their constitutions comparable to the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution, preventing a state to favour one religion over the others. The European Commission should more often pull the brake for some member states where a religion has a special status, otherwise citizens belonging to other religions will be discriminated.

The European Commission, being the "referee" who needs to check whether EU member states correctly apply treaties or interpret them with too much fantasy, has also the task of sending warnings to member state, and of asking for clarifications.
However do not be too afraid for Poland, there will be a long exchange of letters back and forth between the European Commission and Poland before any sanction will be taken.

By the way, the Hungarian government is centralising too much power in its hands and might prevent the opposition to get access to medias and be able to participate in fair polls: not exactly a "valiant rebirth".

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