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Originally Posted by nikimcbee
Do Germans have the right to free speech? What is the law regarding this kinda stuff? (in Germany)
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Free speech is guaranteed by the Basic Law, also free press. But both get underhandedly eroded by the poltical establishement, by bringing their personnel into key positions of according organsiations, and gremia. Most obviously this is the case with the first and second channels of the state TV that gets fiannced by mandatory fees that even mjst be payed if you have not TV or TV receiver device like internet or handy (it is a 1-per-household tax, period).
However, there also is §166 of the penalty code which is called the
blasphemy-paragraph over here, making it punishable to insult and berate religious confessions when the way in which it is done is disturbing public peace. - The most famous case I am aware of when this paragraph was used, dates back to the mid-80s, when a young man called the Catholic church "a criminal organisation" in a discussion. He was brought to court. However, his defence was top class and put together a written analysis of the church's historic record of conduct that made such a convincing aergument of that it was criminal and is criminal indeed, that the young man was set free and the analysis today can be bought in book form in German bookshops. It became a beststeller back then.
Also there is the EU and it's Charta of Human Rights that are legally bindingly linked and installked by the Eurpean treaty, making it mandatory for all member state to install according legislation. That charta rates any criticism of religion as a punishable offence the monent somebody complains about his relgion criticised and claiming he is insulted, because that now officially rates as "discrimination" - and that is what the charge is about then. - This European law now has been the basis for several cases in several European countries over the past couple of years, most famously the Geert Wilders casse, but there were also such courts held in several other countries, mostly against political prominents or prominent critics. It always was about Islam.
Ironically, the church is too late. Some weeks ago I found a cartoon somewhere on the German web, that in principle is a variation of the theme used for that magazine's frontpage now. If they really have such a good direct wire to God, I wonder why He has not made them aware while there was time, or why He did not take care of the offenders himself.
