No right to insult religions, bishop says at EU
October 07, 2015
Speaking at a colloquium organized by the EU’s governing body on “combating anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim hatred in Europe,” a Dutch bishop spoke out against offending religions.
“Of course, there is a right to freedom of expression, including critical dispute, humor and artistic expression, but not to offend or to harm,” said Auxiliary Bishop Theodorus C.M. Hoogenboom of Utrecht, who was representing the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community.
“There must be a rejection of any presumed ‘right’ to insult religious communities or members of those communities for their membership, and their sacred beliefs and symbols,” he added in his remarks, which were delivered on October 1. “On the other hand, freedom of expression should not be further restricted to meet increasing excessive sensitivity of certain religious groups.”
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