Religious Satire saved by 1 vote in UK

Yay. The House of Commons by 1 vote has voted against a law change which would make incitement to religious hatred punishable by up to seven years in jail.

Rowan Atkinson had led a campaign against this clause as the law was worded in such a way that satiricial parodies of religions could also be prosecuted. A victory for the Black Adder! Only the second lost vote in nine years for Blair.

The Blair Government defended the measure on the basis it was just extending the current laws on race to religion. But there is a key difference. No-one can choose their race, but people can and do choose their religion.

Hat Tip: Sir Humphries

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