freeinfidel

The possibility that the publisher of Richard Dawkin’s ‘The God Delusion’ may be prosecuted in Turkey shows just how religious belief prevents some countries from leaving the dark ages behind.

In this politically correct, spin-doctored age, the ‘crime’ being alleged is that of inciting religious hatred. That is just a somewhat dishonest repackaging of the charge of blasphemy, with all its medieval connotations.

Apparently, someone has complained that the book, published in Turkey by Erol Karaaslan, attacks “sacred values”. Well of course it does, although ‘challenges’ is a more accurate term. In a modern, enlightened society, all values should be subject to regular analysis and examination. And people have the right to reject those values, even to ridicule them if they find them ridiculous, and to say so - in print. That’s what a truly free society, which cherishes free speech, is all about.

It’s clear that freedom of speech is not a priority in Turkey. You only have to look at the prosecution of Orhan Pamuk and the proscription against discussing (let alone admitting) Turkey’s genocide of Armenians.

There are many who feel that Turkey has no place in the European Union, despite the country’s ambition to achieve that aim. While it trumpets its secularism, the truth behind this PR is that its society, laws and attitudes are still heavily encumbered with islamic concepts. Until it can shake off the shackles of religion, and the savage narrow-mindedness and prejudice that comes with it, it is hard to see how it can properly embrace the 21st century and take its place in the EU as a modern, democratic nation.

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