Religious Hate Speech Curbs Diluted, Approved
After protests outside Parliament, British lawmakers watered down a bill banning religious hate speech, then narrowly approved it.
Prime Minister Tony Blair wanted to make it a criminal offense to incite religious hatred through threatening words or actions, insults and abuse.
The upper chamber eliminated the ban on insults and abuse, and inserted a provision allowing proselytizing, discussion, criticism and ridicule of religion, belief or religious practice.
Hundreds of people had demonstrated against the proposal, saying it would curtail freedom of speech and artistic expression.
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