The comedy routine mocked Christianity as well as Islam, but no one minds criticism of Christianity. The only serious offense in the shabby little police state that Britain has become is speech that is considered to be “anti-Islamic.” And so Brian Leach was duly fired, as eventually every last person who utters the slightest negative word about the British elites’ favored religion will ultimately be.
“Disabled grandfather is sacked by Asda after colleague complained about him sharing an ‘anti-Islamic’ Billy Connolly sketch on his Facebook page,” by Connor Boyd, Mailonline, June 24, 2019:
A disabled grandfather has been sacked by Asda for sharing a Billy Connolly sketch about religion on his Facebook page.
Till worker Brian Leach, 54, was let go by the supermarket after seven colleagues complained that the comments in the skit were anti-Islamic.
Following the complaint, the father-of-one deleted the post from May and wrote an apology to his bosses and colleagues.
But Mr Leach, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, was fired for gross misconduct on Wednesday after five years in the job for breaching the company’s social media policy.
Mr Leach announced the sacking on Facebook. He wrote: Unfortunately, I have today been dismissed from Asda. Some of my colleagues took offence to the Billy Connelly, (sic), thoughts on religion, that I posted early May.
‘It’s been a pleasure working with my friends and serving the public of Dewsbury and I will miss my regular customers x.
The video referred to in the post was Connolly’s Religion is Over taken from his live stage act a number of years ago.
In the sketch, the comedian rails against religious followers of Christianity and Islam.
It includes the lines: ‘Religion is over, lads, it’s f***ing over. Take your Reformation, your Vatican, your f***ing Mecca, and f*** off….
John says
Hmmm…….. and ASDA continue to support the abject cruelty of Halal meat. Nice. We are truly living in a lunatic asylum.
Jayell says
So do Tesco’s, and no doubt all the others where money is to be made. Note that this gentleman is in Dewsbury, W. Yorkshire – not far from Bradford, Keighley, Halifax, Rotherham….. Now, what do we all know about the populations of these towns? Could the number of mosques one might see be a hint? Which would obviously explain why anything not in deepest reverence to the Religion of Peace might mean the ‘black ball’ for anyone brave enough to mock that which must not be mocked. And it would be interesting to know something about the manager of this branch….
Jay says
England is lost! Soon there will be no England or Europe! The unfettered invasion of Muslims without any acclimation or assimilation, only demands, destroys the society of the country they invade!
PM Merkel, Trudeau, Macron, May, etc etc are destroying their countries and should be tried for treason!
It’s complete insanity!
mortimer says
There are many videos on Facebook and youtube that viciously mock many things… including Americans and Brits. So what?
DOUBLE STANDARDS for Islam cannot be shown to be valid under the normal rules of libel.
A POLITICAL IDEOLOGY IS NOT PROTECTED FROM CRITICISM UNDER LIBEL LAWS.
Facebook has made itself the SHARIA LAW POLICEMAN OF THE WORLD.
Rufolino says
It is the Personnel Manager of Asda who has made himself a Sharia Law Policeman.
Significant that not one Moslem voice has been raised in protest at this guy’s ruthless dismissal. Not much to be said for their humanity.
Makes you feel sick.
Carol the 1st says
You give them a good day’s work for their money so they shouldn’t be allowed to big brother your personal life (unless maybe you’re a Brink’s guard).
Carol the 1st says
They kill and spout venom freely but use their long grass to give cover to their snakes and then their enablers have the absolute gall to punish us for even VENTING anger in a (so far) nonviolent way. We have sick people at the helm and this needs to change because once caught in that trap the light becomes very dim and out of reach.
Carol the 1st says
How can we expect to change irrational, shameless people if ‘SCORN” is prohibited? The human race is hitting a new low.
Gwenpamela says
Lawsuit
PRCS says
A good idea, but:
He’s the victim of ASDA’s “social media policy”.
I don’t know what that policy permits/prohibits, but ASDA lawyers likely do and his sacking was probably within the company’s right to do.
I do wonder why those Muslim colleagues were visiting his Facebook page.
b.a. freeman says
remember, PRCS, sharia encourages vigilante action where infidels and apostasy are concerned. his muslim colleagues – if, indeed, they were muslim, since leftists would have complained as well – have been conditioned since birth to be vigilantes, which means always looking for deviance in the behavior of colleagues, *especially* if they are infidels.
PRCS says
Thanks for your post.
Per the MailOnline article:
“I realise it was poor judgement but it was just a joke and I didn’t expect another colleague to post it to the entire Asian community.”
“‘They said seven people, all Asian as I understand it, had complained including the woman at head office who escalated the complaint.”
Yes, some or all of them could have been brain dead leftists, but….as he understands it….
mortimer says
ATHEISTS SHOULD NOW BE ALERTED to the fact that Islam is out to get them. They can no longer sit on the sidelines while adherents of non-Islamic religions are attacked.
Muslims want to remove the freedom of expression from ATHEISTS and AGNOSTICS as well.
NOTA BENE, ATHEISTS. The JIHAD is coming for you. We are all the targets of JIHAD.
Aussie Infidel says
Mortimer, I’m one atheist who has been “alerted to the fact that Islam is out to get them” for over 50 years – probably long before anyone on this blog. And I don’t “sit on the sidelines while adherents of non-Islamic religions are attacked” – although I will admit that many atheists do. I’ve been actively confronting this belligerent ideology for decades, but I must admit that at times it’s been a bit like belting my head against a brick wall. The apathy from all sides is appalling.
Unfortunately, most of our politicians are totally ignorant of Islam, and refuse to do anything about it, because they will not “discriminate against any religion.” They treat religion – all religion – like a sacred cow which must not be ‘offended’, no matter how evil it is. When will these foolish people wake up to the fact that our Constitutions must not be allowed to protect a religion which will not tolerate any other religion?
It’s not just other atheists who need to wake up. Many Christians also refuse to oppose Islam or acknowledge that it is “out to get them” too? Foolishly, they indulge in ‘interfaith dialogue’ with Muslims, but don’t understand that it only ever results in giving Islam more and more privileges. Simply “turning the other cheek” as Jesus advised, will not succeed with Muslims. I’m sure that Jesus did not mean that Christians should commit religious and cultural suicide.
Anyone of any religious background – or none – who is still in any doubt about the motives of Islam should heed the words of Al-Tabari a most prominent medieval Islamic scholar who wrote:
“[Muslims] are the most noble people in lineage, the most prominent, and the best in deeds. We were the first to respond to the call of the Prophet. We are Allah’s helpers and the viziers of His Messenger. We fight people until they believe in Allah. He who believes in Allah and His Messenger has protected his life and possessions from us. As for one who disbelieves, we will fight him forever in Allah’s Cause. Killing him is a small matter to us.” (The History of Al-Tabari Vol 9, p 69).
And from the Quran: “And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists (Pagans & Christians) wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran 9:5). This is the infamous ‘Verse of the sword’. To Muslims, ‘Repent’ means to accept Islam; and then of course there is no need for further fighting.
Of course, not all Muslims follow the violent verses in their scriptures explicitly, but the more militant types certainly do. Those verses have provided the incitement and motivation for jihadists for 1,400 years – and they will continue to do so as long as Islam exists.
For the broadminded only. Billy Connelly’s video can be fond at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlh4ia6XWGU
gravenimage says
Thank you, Aussie Infidel.
mortimer says
Brian Leach would not have been criticized if the video only attacked Christianity.
Clearly, Brian Leach’s company is enforcing SHARIA BLASPHEMY LAW.
PRCS says
Unfortunately, for Mr. Leach, Asda is enforcing their “social media policy”.
IMO, once his Muslim colleagues complained (as they so often do) they had to act.
To not do so would be to violate their own policy.
As it’s a private company’s policy, rather imagine voting political bums out of office won’t change that.
b.a. freeman says
correct, PRCS. the attitudes of the ummah have been ingrained since birth for 1400 years, as have those of the left, ever since the latter took over education in the UK. just voting out one group of leftists after they stumble over the inconsistency of their politics won’t change a single leftist’s mind, and will almost certainly alarm every leftist with visions of knuckle-dragging bible-thumpers burning innocents at the stake. it takes a while for reality to change a person’s thinking, which is why the twin cancers of leftism and islam are consuming civilization today. by the time people realize what is happening, either the people’s republic or (far more likely) the caliphate will have been instantiated. and it will take a civil war to dislodge either.
Agostino Armo Pellegrini says
Free speech is dead in Britain, thanks to islam and their leftist allies.
One shouldn’t be fired for their off duty opinions on religion using satire. Isn’t the right to criticize and disagree with religion worth as much as believing in it? Let me use an analogy to make a point: I think it’s good that 12th graders should respect 1st graders and their level of knowledge and intellect. But if those 1st graders start loving and living for ignorant and murderous ideas then they invite the harshest kind of criticism, biting satire included. The analogy should be clear, faithful muslims are 1st graders to me, they have embraced stupid and murderous ideas as godly truth. Such beliefs don’t deserve kid gloves. Islamic doctrine has inspired countless murders, war, and terror, by the millions, it is a humanitarian crime to expect the sane people of the world to sit by idly and do nothing in return. To me the message this company gives when they fired this guy is, “we don’t care about your rights as a person and employee, we don’t care about your religious views as much as muslims’ and other religious people.” In effect it is discrimination, and if it was anywhere else than Britain I’d say he should sue on principal. But it wouldn’t work, dhimmitude has infiltrated every nook and cranny of their society. I think it’s rather ironic that he should be fired for “gross misconduct,” especially when one realizes that islam is itself so full of “gross misconduct” by way of bigotry, murder, and intolerance.
Carol the 1st says
Very fine as usual, Agostino. Thought I’d see what Pat Condell is up to lately. Seems to fit this article:
Europe Is Killing Itself
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydPZRoLzu-E
Halal Bacon says
the biggest islamophobes are Shia ans Sunni muslims – they kill each other because the are being critical of each others misinterpretations of the death cult
PAUL SPIVEY says
But Mr Leach, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire…
PLEASE read “The Islamic Republic of Dewsbury” eBook: Danny Lockwood: Amazon
Aussie Infidel says
Paul, I’ve been asked by a few people about this. There is an article in the New English Review about ‘The Islamic Republic of Dewsbury’. It’s about the Islamification of the Yorkshire towns around Savile Town which has spread out to most of Dewsbury.
Apparently back in 1989, the local Muslims got upset over Salman Rushdie’s book ‘The Satanic Verses’ which resulted in a riot which destroyed the local pub (anathema to Muslims). And as usual, the Muslims were assisted by the local Marxists. (Who else?)
The rest of the article makes interesting reading, and is exactly how a lawyer from the UK who visited Australia a few years ago described it when Muslims take over an area. People wanting to leave the area can expect to get virtually nothing for their properties – an offer of cash in a brown paper bag, of about half the market value, from the local imam – take it or leave it. Mosques, madrassas and Sharia courts gradually replace local churches and other ‘unused’ public buildings. And all the while the hapless British politicians and police bite their finger nails to the bone not knowing what to do.
Such is the result of stealth jihad on an unsuspecting infidel community. Future Englishmen (if there are any left) will curse the leftist politicians who perpetrated this ‘crime against their country’. Former PM Tony Blair said it would “Rub the Right’s nose in diversity.” If that is how Blair organised Britain’s immigration policy, he was a bloody fool – and a traitor.
BTW, did you know that Jacinda Ardern, the current New Zealand PM, was one of Blair’s advisers? Does her broadcast of the Islamic call to prayer over Radio NZ after the Christchurch shootings, now begin to make sense?
What dhimmi fools we have as leaders!
But sooner or later the same fate awaits all countries who continue to allow Muslim immigration.
https://newenglishreview.org/Esmerelda_Weatherwax/The_Islamic_Republic_of_Dewsbury_-_Danny_Lockwood/
ntesdorf says
The days of Great British Comedy are now officially over. The Great Days of Great Britain are also over for the very same reason.
gravenimage says
Grimly true.
Jedothek says
Let us all say it whenever the opportunity arises, in conversation and/or publicly:
1. We have a right to mock religion;
2. religion ought to be mocked now and then: it helps keep ’em honest.
revereridesagain says
Seconded and passed. Where can we find Billy’s sketch?
Lydia Church says
Personally, I am offended by what was said in that sketch.
I know that is another issue, and I’m not saying that it’s not another issue.
Freedom of speech is one thing.
Double standards are another thing.
Individuals being offended is yet another.
And on that note I will increase my mockery of atheism…
just for the sake of freedom of speech and exercising my rights…
and keeping it even and balanced!
keith says
Lydia, I’m Pagan and have friends who are Buddhist. Just like everyone else we cop crap about our beliefs.
The ability of humans to find humor in serious things is, I believe, a great gift from the creator.
It is a release valve and teaches us to not take things too seriously.
One of the things that does concern me is that people apologize to Muslims for offending them.
This is like appeasing spoilt brats who then want more and more.
If you believe in something, then stand up on your hind legs and say so. Don’t bow and scrape to anyone.
Krishna says
how intolerant british society became
livingengine says
Not only can it happen here, it already is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULe-14vWqVU
Angemon says
Odd – I don’t see anyone losing their job due to complaints of “anti-Christianity”… The islamophobia racket continues.
Mark Swan says
Exclusive: In a world first, Facebook to give data on hate speech suspects to French courts
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-tech-exclusive/exclusive-in-a-world-first-facebook-to-give-data-on-hate-speech-suspects-to-french-courts-idUSKCN1TQ1TJ
James Lincoln says
Angemon says,
“…I don’t see anyone losing their job due to complaints of “anti-Christianity…”
I, too, have never heard of it happening.
It’s a big world, perhaps it has happened on rare occasion.
The point is, people lose their jobs routinely throughout the world for mocking / criticizing Islam.
Double standards???
Y E S…
Battle says
Agostino Armo Pelligrini Agostino Armo Pelligrini hits nail on head.
Battle says
Free Asda
R Russell says
Time to boycott ASDA?
Or will there soon be so many shops which are sharia compliant that there will no longer be a choice?
tim gallagher says
This is really alarming stuff. This man works in some fairly menial type of job and yet, it seems, he’s supposed to be a paragon of virtue and political correctness. I find this new, fascistic type of censorship is very disturbing. The UK, which had so much to do with the development of freedom of speech, seems to have some very troubling trends taking over there.
gravenimage says
UK: Disabled grandfather fired from job for sharing “anti-Islamic” comedy sketch on Facebook
……………….
Just appalling. And yes–other posters are quite right to point out that no Christians were trying to get this man fired.
Steve Meikle says
Does this company now know that they have made Connolly’s skit even more famous than before? how very wise of them for being the impetus for spreading “Islamophobia.” They could not just quietly ignore the whole business now could they? well, no, of course not! They HAD to signal their virtue.
BTW I watched all 30 seconds of the skit. He is wrong of course, for religion is hardwired into the human frame and we human would wreck the world (I could use Billy’s word but you get my drift 🙂 ) whether we professed to believe in a god or not
UNCLE VLADDI says
HERE’S WHY LIBERAL RACISTS DEFEND MUSLIM CRIMES:
Without bothering to investigate it, liberals always deny islam could ever be a threat because muslims are brown people who can never be a threat to white people because, to racist liberals, they’re always presumed to be mentally inferior to all whites.
So there’s never any need to investigate islam, because it’s just some sort of a silly and ultimately harmless brown-person’s superstition, to which they’re racially entitled. There’s no way it could ever be a threat to whites, nor could it have inspired Nazis.
Only whites, by dint of their superior intelligence, can be evil racists who are always the main threat to the inferior browns.
To racist and mentally delinquent liberal criminals, only whites can be held to be guilty of any crimes, because crimes require mens-rea guilty mind criminal intent, which no black or brown mentally inferior muslim can ever have the mental capacity to be.
Further, all whites are Christians, so Christianity is oppressive; and all blacks are muslims, and so are naturally the victims of all the evil white Christians.
These are the most shallow, visceral feelings of all hateful liberal racists, which mere facts will never affect, because these feelings are so self-evident that there’s never any reason to consider that most Christians today are black Africans, not smug and plump white Europeans in business suits – nor that muslims come in all races and colours, too; nor that Arabs are whites. And there’s no way Muhammad was “the Whitest of men” who owned black slaves.
AntiIslamicman says
There is no law that says you can’t make a joke about religion. You can’t police what makes people laugh, this is madness. I am a Christian and I don’t t find it offensive at all it’s a joke. The joke was not anti Islamic it was anti religions.