Combating Defamation of Religions

The current incarnation of the resolution demanding international imposition of Islam's blasphemy laws is A/C.3/65/L.46. Combating defamation of religions,
dated October 28 '10.  Like its predecessors, the draft resolution begins with references to previous resolutions and related documents, then it gets down to the serious business of reaffirming, welcoming,  underlining and expressing serious concern.   Lets  examine selected  lumps from the septic tank.

Stressing that defamation of religions is a serious affront to human dignity leading to the illicit restriction of the freedom of religion of their adherents and incitement to religious hatred and violence, Stressing also the need to effectively combat defamation of all religions, and incitement to religious hatred in general, Reaffirming that discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief constitutes a violation of human rights and a disavowal of the principles of the Charter,

Defamation usually applies to individuals, see the first terms in a definition search.

• a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
• aspersion: an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
  wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Perhaps we can find some relevant detail.

Expresses deep concern, in this respect, that Islam is frequently and wrongly associated with human rights violations and terrorism;

 

[...] which clearly confirms, inter alia, that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group, [...]

Almost everyone more than twelve years old should recall immediately what they are kvetching about: the Motoons & Fitna.  The Motoons depict Moe as a terrorist. Is that defamatory?  He died in 632, prior to the invention of gunpowder, so he never had a bomb in his turban.  But he was a self-confessed terrorist.

• Allah made me victorious by awe, (by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month's journey.  [Sahih Bukhari 1.7.331]
• I have been made victorious with terror (cast in the hearts of the enemy) [Sahih Bukhari 4.52.220]

The Motoons contained exaggeration, but they also contained the element of truth necessary to effective humor. They did not calumniate or defame Moe.

    Fitna juxtaposed the Qur'an with scenes  of Imams inciting the believers to jihad, followed by scenes of slaughter. Fitna connects the dots, demonstrating cause and effect.  It is true, and therefore not defamatory.  

    In the matter of terrorism: Moe claimed victory through terror. Allah said that he would cast terror, commanded the Muslims to strike off necks and fingers, then  reported that he cast terror and its consequences.[Emphasis added for clarity.]

• 3:151. We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve, because they joined others in worship with Allâh, for which He had sent no authority; their abode will be the Fire and how evil is the abode of the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong­doers). 
• 8:12. (Remember) when your Lord inspired the angels, "Verily, I am with you, so keep firm those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved, so strike them over the necks, and smite over all their fingers and toes." 
• 8:57. So if you gain the mastery over them in war, punish them severely in order to disperse those who are behind them, so that they may learn a lesson. 
• 8:60.  Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of God and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom God doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of God, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly. 
• 33:26. And those of the people of the Scripture who backed them (the disbelievers) Allâh brought them down from their forts and cast terror into their hearts, (so that) a group (of them) you killed, and a group (of them) you made captives.

  33:27. And He caused you to inherit their lands, and their houses, and their riches, and a land which you had not trodden (before). And Allâh is Able to do all things. 

• 59:2. He it is Who drove out the disbelievers among the people of the Scripture (i.e. the Jews of the tribe of Banî An-Nadîr) from their homes at the first gathering. You did not think that they would get out. And they thought that their fortresses would defend them from Allâh! But Allâh's (Torment) reached them from a place whereof they expected it not, and He cast terror into their hearts, so that they destroyed their own dwellings with their own hands and the hands of the believers. Then take admonition, O you with eyes (to see). 
• 59:13. Verily, you (believers in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) are more awful as a fear in their (Jews of Banî An-Nadîr) breasts than Allâh. That is because they are a people who comprehend not (the Majesty and Power of Allâh). 

Terrorism is an intrinsic sacrament of Islam.  Pointing out that fact is not defamatory, it is truthful.  

Noting with concern that defamation of religions, and incitement to religious hatred in general, could lead to social disharmony and violations of human rights, and alarmed at the inaction of some States to combat this burgeoning trend and the resulting discriminatory practices against adherents of certain religions

They are alarmed that our government does not silence our criticism of Islam.  The First Amendment gives me a right to expose Islam's rotten core without fear of the federal government.

Underlining the important role of education in the promotion of tolerance, which involves acceptance by the public of, and its respect for, diversity, including with regard to religious expression, and underlining also the fact that education should contribute in a meaningful way to promoting tolerance and the elimination of discrimination based on religion or belief,

They demand that our schools be co-opted to indoctrinate our children with false praises of Islam so that they will tolerate the intolerable. 

Expresses deep concern at the negative stereotyping of religions and manifestations of intolerance and discrimination in matters of religion or belief still evident in the world;

That sentence is redundant, it simply restates the complaint about exposing the doctrines & practices of Islam.  It is the second item in a 28 item enumerated list. The third item follows suit, adding two new elements.

Strongly deplores all acts of psychological and physical violence and assaults, and incitement thereto, against persons on the basis of their religion or belief, and such acts directed against their businesses, properties, cultural centres and places of worship, as well as the targeting and desecration of holy books, holy sites and religious symbols and venerated personalities of all religions;

If you are so concerned about incitement to violence, why don't you ban the Qur'an, which contains imperatives to wage war on Christians? Are you unable to make the connection between 9:39 & 9:123 with attacks on churches in Egypt, Iraq,Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan & Indonesia? 

    Here are the novel elements:

• desecration of holy books
• venerated personalities

Of course, they are not kvetching about terrorists who occupied the Church of the Nativity, who practiced istinja  with pages torn from the Bible. [In the link, Daniel Pipes reveals the existence of a fatwa permitting the practice.] Neither are they kvetching about burning Bibles. The reference is specific to International Burn a Qur'an Day. 
   
    And the venerated personality is Moe, who really was a terrorist, not Jesus Christ, whose paternity, divinity, crucifixion, death & resurrection are denied by the Qur'an and who is co-opted by Islam as a genocidal warlord.   The Qur'ans torn and partially burned in New York and torn in Washington D.C. Sept. 11 were English translations, which are not considered sacred or authentic by Islam. 

Deplores the use of the print, audio-visual and electronic media, including the Internet, and any other means to incite acts of violence, xenophobia or related intolerance and discrimination against any religion, as well as the targeting and desecration of holy books, holy sites and religious symbols and venerated personalities of all religions;

Their definition of incitement is so loose that it encompasses every possible criticism of Islam. Recall what Secy. Gen. Ban Ki-moon said about Fitna.

Reuters quotes U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon about Fitna:

“There is no justification for hate speech or incitement to violence,” Ban said in a statement. “The right of free expression is not at stake here.”

The hate speech in Fitna flows from the lips of Imams. The incitement flows from their lips and from the Qur'an.

Reaffirms that general recommendation XV (42) of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination,14 in which the Committee stipulated that the prohibition of the dissemination of all ideas based upon racial superiority or hatred is compatible with freedom of opinion and expression, is equally applicable to the question of incitement to religious hatred;

I have a few examples for your consideration.

• 98:6. Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islâm, the Qur'ân and Prophet Muhammad ()) from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and Al-Mushrikûn will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures.
• 2:159. Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidences and the guidance, which We have sent down, after We have made it clear for the people in the Book, they are the ones cursed by Allâh and cursed by the cursers. 
• Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 80:

  Narrated Abu Huraira:

  The Verse:--"You (true Muslims) are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind." means, the best of peoples for the people, as you bring them with chains on their necks till they embrace Islam.

 

 Reaffirms the obligation of all States to enact the legislation necessary to prohibit the advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, and encourages States, in their follow-up to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination,Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, to include aspects relating to national or ethnic, religious and  linguistic minorities in their national plans of action and in this context to take forms of multiple discrimination against minorities fully into account;

That is the same tired boiler plate demand for legislation criminalizing criticism of Islam. Bear in mind what Ban said about Fitna.  Islam contumaciously demands that it be shielded from all questioning and criticism.  Islam demands that it and it alone be allowed to hurl curses while being shielded from return fire.

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Elimination of Religious Discrimination

Elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief

A/C.3/65/L.32  is a draft resolution assigned to the Third Committee of the General Assembly. Dated October 28 '10, it takes the form of a six page pdf file. Like most UN resolutions, it begins with boilerplate references to previous resolutions & reports.

    On the second page, they get down to details, where I find the first clash with reality.

Considering that religion or belief, for those who profess either, is one of the fundamental elements in their conception of life and that freedom of religion or belief should be fully respected and guaranteed,

That would be fine if all systems of belief were anodyne. But one of them is not; it commands its votaries to engage in genocidal conquest until the entire world is subjugated to its will. How can there be a right to sustain and propagate a belief that one has a divine mandate to terrorize and conquer everyone who does not share your exact system of belief and ritual practice? 

Reaffirming that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, which includes the freedom to have or not to have, or to adopt a religion or belief of one’s own choice, or to change one’s religion or belief, and the freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest one’s religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance,

The elements of choice, abstention & change all conflict directly with Shari'ah. Allah said, in 3:85, that only Islam will be accepted. Shari'ah requires that apostates be executed.

Expressing deep concern at all forms of discrimination and intolerance, including prejudices against persons and derogatory stereotyping of persons, based on religion or belief,

Exactly what are they concerned about?  The expression is ambiguous, I presume that the ambiguity is deliberate. We can safely assume that it is a reference to linkage between Islamic terrorism and Muslims; a hint at "profiling".

Convinced of the need to address the rise in various parts of the world of religious extremism that affects the rights of individuals, the situations of violence
and discrimination that affect many women and other individuals on the grounds or in the name of religion or belief or in accordance with cultural and traditional practices, and the misuse of religion or belief for ends inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations and other relevant instruments of the United Nations,.

What is "religious extremism" and how does it affect the rights of individuals? Is it a reference to the Taliban beating women who do not wear the hijab?  Is it a reference to Muslims burning churches and murdering Christians in Indonesia and Egypt?   What religion is "misused" and by whom?

    They love ambiguity. This gem is found on the third page, headlining an enumerated list.

Underlining the importance of education in the promotion of tolerance, which involves the acceptance by the public of, and its respect for, diversity, including with regard to religious expression, and underlining also the fact that education, in religion or belief, as well as violations of freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief; particular at school, should contribute in a meaningful way to promoting tolerance and the elimination of discrimination based on religion or belief,

If that is not a demand that schools be used to indoctrinate students with false hagiography about Islam, for the sake of fostering "tolerance"  then what is it? 

Stresses that the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief applies equally to all persons, regardless of their religions or beliefs, and without any discrimination as to their equal protection by the law;

That includes belief in the supremacy of Islam, and the divine mandate to enforce it upon the entire world through terrorism. No thanks! I can't tolerate that!

Emphasizes that, as underlined by the Human Rights Committee, restrictions on the freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief are permitted only if limitations are prescribed by law, are necessary to protect public  safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others, are non-discriminatory  and are applied in a manner that does not vitiate the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief;

How would that be applied to Reliance of the Traveller, o11.5?

Also emphasizes that freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression are interdependent, interrelated and mutually reinforcing, and stresses further the role these rights can play in the fight against all forms of intolerance and  of discrimination based on religion or belief;

That is a convoluted way of asserting that my right to truthfully reveal the damnable details of Islamic doctrine & practice is subordinated to the Muslim's right to believe that he has a divine mandate to kill me, rape my widow and sell my orphans into slavery.  Neither that belief nor its implementation can be tolerated. Both conquest and the implied restriction on free expression violate my fundamental freedoms.

Recognizes with deep concern the overall rise in instances of intolerance  and violence, including by non-State actors, directed against members of many religious and other communities in various parts of the world, including cases  motivated by Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and Christianophobia;

That is an obvious attempt to paint an image of balance, when it is clear that the real concern is only about intolerance of Islam. They do not give a damn about the Christians being repressed, beaten, burned out and murdered in Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Indonesia & Pakistan. 

Condemns any advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, whether it involves the use of print, audiovisual or electronic media or any other means;

In a pig's eye!  They do not condemn the Quran'ic verses which command Muslims to wage war on polytheists,  Jews & Christians: 8:39 & 9:29,  The Islamic states would never tolerate that well deserved condemnation!  Instead, they condemn the Motoons which exaggerated Moe's status as a terrorist and Fitna, which exposes Islamic incitement of violence. 

 Expresses concern over the persistence of institutionalized social intolerance and discrimination practised against many on the grounds of religion or belief, and emphasizes that legal procedures pertaining to religious or belief-based groups and places of worship are not a prerequisite for the exercise of the right to manifest one’s religion or belief, and that such procedures, when legally required at the national or local level, should be non-discriminatory in order to contribute to the effective protection of the right of all persons to practise their religion or belief, either individually or in community with others and in public or private;

When Muslims celebrate Eid by slitting the throat of a goat they shout "Allahu Akhbar!"; they are practicing their religion. When Moe invaded the Khaibar Oasis, shouting "Allahu Akhbar!, he was practicing his religion. [Sahih Bukhari 4.52.195]  When terrorists slit the throats of Flight 93's crew, shouting "Allahu Akhbar!, they were practicing their religion.   Sacrificing a goat is one thing, we can tolerate that; sacrificing humans is another, intolerable practice which must be condemned and proscribed.  

    Allah tells us that he purchased the Muslims so that they fight in his cause, killing and  being killed. [9:111].  Allah also tells us that Islam is inseverable, it must be accepted as a package deal, all or nothing. [13:36]  By what sleight of hand can the practice & propagation of Islam be considered tolerable? 

 Emphasizes that States have an obligation to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate and punish acts of violence against persons belonging to religious minorities, regardless of the perpetrator, and that failure to do so may  constitute a human rights violation;

Who will go to Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan & Sudan to enforce those violated human rights? 

Also emphasizes that no religion should be equated with terrorism, as this may have adverse consequences on the enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion or belief of all members of the religious communities concerned;

This tenth item on page  three of the draft is the most egregious offense to truth, logic and common sense.  They flatly declare that Islam must not be equated with terrorism when terrorism is an intrinsic sacrament of Islam.  How in Hell can there be a right to engage in terrorism??? Examine the clear evidence open upon the face of authentic Islamic texts. [Emphasis added for clarity.]

• 3:151. We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve, because they joined others in worship with Allâh, for which He had sent no authority; their abode will be the Fire and how evil is the abode of the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong­doers). 
• 8:12. (Remember) when your Lord inspired the angels, "Verily, I am with you, so keep firm those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved, so strike them over the necks, and smite over all their fingers and toes." 
• 8:57. So if you gain the mastery over them in war, punish them severely in order to disperse those who are behind them, so that they may learn a lesson. 
• 8:60.  Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of God and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom God doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of God, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly. 
• 33:26. And those of the people of the Scripture who backed them (the disbelievers) Allâh brought them down from their forts and cast terror into their hearts, (so that) a group (of them) you killed, and a group (of them) you made captives.

  33:27. And He caused you to inherit their lands, and their houses, and their riches, and a land which you had not trodden (before). And Allâh is Able to do all things. 

• 59:2. He it is Who drove out the disbelievers among the people of the Scripture (i.e. the Jews of the tribe of Banî An-Nadîr) from their homes at the first gathering. You did not think that they would get out. And they thought that their fortresses would defend them from Allâh! But Allâh's (Torment) reached them from a place whereof they expected it not, and He cast terror into their hearts, so that they destroyed their own dwellings with their own hands and the hands of the believers. Then take admonition, O you with eyes (to see). 
• 59:13. Verily, you (believers in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) are more awful as a fear in their (Jews of Banî An-Nadîr) breasts than Allâh. That is because they are a people who comprehend not (the Majesty and Power of Allâh). 
• Bukhari Volume 1, Book 7, Number 331:
  Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:
  The Prophet said, "I have been given five things which were not given to any one else before me.
  1. Allah made me victorious by awe, (by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month's journey.
  2. The earth has been made for me (and for my followers) a place for praying and a thing to perform Tayammum, therefore anyone of my followers can pray wherever the time of a prayer is due.
  3. The booty has been made Halal (lawful) for me yet it was not lawful for anyone else before me.
  4. I have been given the right of intercession (on the Day of Resurrection).
  5. Every Prophet used to be sent to his nation only but I have been sent to all mankind.
  • Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 220:
     Narrated Abu Huraira:

        Allah's Apostle said, "I have been sent with the shortest expressions bearing the widest meanings, and I have been made victorious with terror (cast in the hearts of the enemy), and while I was sleeping, the keys of the treasures of the world were brought to me and put in my hand." Abu Huraira added: Allah's Apostle has left the world and now you, people, are bringing out those treasures (i.e. the Prophet did not benefit by them)

Allah said that he would cast terror, then he said that he cast terror, resulting in the death of male defenders and the enslavement of their women and children. Moe said that he was made victorious by terror.  It is clear for all to see: terrorism is a foundational sacrament of Islam; yet the UN denies the well documented connection. 

    The eleventh item in the enumerated list contains a lettered list; item h & i are  egregiously outrageous.

To exert the utmost efforts, in accordance with their national legislation and in conformity with international human rights  law, to ensure that religious places, sites, shrines and symbols are fully respected and protected in a non-discriminatory way, and to take additional measures in cases where they are vulnerable to desecration and destruction and to bring to justice individuals responsible for committing acts of desecration or destruction;

One word in that list is sufficiently broad to encompass all criticism of Islam: "symbols".  The clause clause including it will be used to criminalize any and all negative mention of Allah, the Qur'an, hadith, Shari'ah and Moe. 

(i) To ensure that, in accordance with appropriate national legislation and in conformity with international human rights law, the freedom of all persons and members of groups to establish and maintain religious, charitable or humanitarian institutions is fully respected and protected;

One phrase in that list is sufficiently broad to erase laws prohibiting financial aid to terrorists: "charitable or humanitarian institutions". This returns to President Obama's promise to facilitate payment zakat.  It ignores the fact that Islamic law requires that one eighth of zakat must be paid to those "fighting in Allah's cause".

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