A key observation in Birgit van Roessel's statement

Submitted by Rajeev (United States), Oct 17, 2010 at 22:02

Dear Dr. Pipes:

There is a key observation in the Dutch public prosecutor Birgit van Roessel's statement. S/he said, "Criticism [of religion] is allowed. Wilders makes his utterances as a politician. We believe the fact that he made his statements within the context of public debate removes any punishable element."

By not separating between church and state, Islamic fundamentalists try to pass a lot of social, political and economic issues under the garb of religion. They want that the observers should grant the same impunity to their illogical non-religious beliefs that we grant to the religious beliefs. There is no issue when a devout Muslim prays in the privacy of his home, the problem comes when attempts are made to push a political agenda under the protection that religions get. It is in this context the Dutch prosecutor's opinion is crucial. This is the first time I have read a clear statement indicating that Islamists should not expect that they will not be criticized just because they wrap everything inside a religious package. Great beginning.

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