Religion Roundup
U.S. Opposes U.N. Moves to Ban Defamation of Religion
Associated Press
September 22, 2008
WASHINGTON - President Bush's address to the United Nations Tuesday may underline his administration's emphasis on religious rights -- including the right to criticize someone's religion.
Islamic nations where riots have erupted over cartoons, books and speeches that Muslims consider blasphemous have been promoting U.N. resolutions that would ban "defamation of religion."
On Friday, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said, "The United States rejects actions that are offensive to particular religious traditions, but we do not condone the prohibition of free speech."
Instead of promoting tolerance, she said a defamation ban "weakens societies" and could undermine religious freedom.
The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which has consultative status at the U.N., applauded Rice's remarks and urged President Bush to repeat them in his address to world leaders.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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