To criticize a person for their race is manifestly irrational and ridiculous, but to criticize their religion, that is a right. That is a freedom. The freedom to criticize ideas, any ideas - even if they are sincerely held beliefs - is one of the fundamental freedoms of society. A law which attempts to say you can criticize๏ปฟ and ridicule ideas as long as they are not religious ideas is a very peculiar law indeed.
Rowan AtkinsonLord, thy one-liners are as good as thy tricks. Thou art indeed an all-round family entertainer.
Rowan AtkinsonThe clear problem of the outlawing of insult is that too many things can be interpreted as such. Criticism, ridicule, sarcasm, merely stating an alternative point of view to the orthodoxy, can be interpreted as insult.
Rowan AtkinsonIf you're a serious actor, it's when you know you're going to die tomorrow that you really start to feel it.
Rowan Atkinson