Letter: Blasphemy law is discriminatory

Friday 01 August 1997 23:02 BST

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Sir: You report (30 July) that Jack Straw, the Home Secretary, is considering outlawing discrimination on the grounds of religion, and also incitement to religious hatred.

This seems reasonable, provided reasonable free speech is not thereby restricted. The law of blasphemy, however, is also discriminatory - in favour of religion and should be abolished. The Law Commission suggested this over 10 years ago and the subject should now be addressed.

K PORTEOUS WOOD

General Secretary

National Secular Society

London WC1

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Letter: Blasphemy law is discriminatory

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