Playwrights back our campaign to scrap blasphemy law

February 14, 2019

Two satirical playwrights have backed Humanist Society Scotland’s campaign to end the Scotland’s Blasphemy law.

Ian Hislop, editor of Private Eye and Have I Got News For You panellist, and Nick Newman, scriptwriter and cartoonist called for the end to the controversial law. They were speaking just before the opening of their new play Trial By Laughter at Glasgow’s Kings Theatre.

Ahead of opening night Humanist Society Scotland asked the playwrights their thoughts on Scotland still having a common law offence against Blasphemy via a twitter Q&A run by the theatre company.

In response they said:

“Blasphemy law is used around the world all the time as an excuse to stifle political and social debate, for example, female rights. If we want to guarantee that blasphemy can’t be used as weapon against political criticism, we should get rid of the law.

“I can’t believe Scotland is less liberal than England.”

Humanist Society Scotland chief executive Gordon MacRae said of the playwrights support:

“We are pleased more voices have added pressure to scrapping what is one of Europe’s last remaining blasphemy laws.

“The Scottish Government are currently consulting on hate crime laws and have said they wish to hear people’s views on the blasphemy law. We would encourage everyone who opposes such laws to respond and call for the scrapping of the blasphemy law.”

The Scottish Government are currently consulting on forthcoming Hate Crime legislation and Humanist Society Scotland are encouraging members to respond and ask for the Blasphemy law to be revoked.