Anti-Vilification Laws and Their Chilling Effect on Religious Expression My experience and anguish - Daniel Scot

2 My Testimony P AKISTAN Lived as a Christian in an Islamic country Forced to leave under threat of death for “blasphemy.” A USTRALIA Lived as a Christian in a Christian country Received death threats and threatened with jail and fines for showing what Muhammad practiced and taught.

3 I have never, and will never try to incite fear or hatred of Muslims. I have always loved them and encouraged others to do the same.

4 I believe that Muslims and non-Muslims have the right to read and understand each others religious teachings. I teach people what is written in the Qur’an, Hadith and how according to the most authoritative Islamic writings, Muhammad the founder of Islam practiced those teachings himself.

5 Impact of Shari’ah I have seen and lived under the impact of Shari’ah law: –Women oppressed, killed and beaten, and treated like animals. –The devaluation of non-Muslims in an Islamic culture.

6 Why I talk about Islam Out of compassion and concern for a billion people trapped through fear and intimidation by the teachings of Islam such as: the treatment of women and non-Muslims, and Blasphemy laws. Non-Muslim countries are blindly accepting and promoting Islam into their culture with open arms, without having experienced life as a non-Muslim in a Muslim country, or, even worse if religious ‘tolerance’ laws are further extended, without even being allowed to examine the real teachings of Islam.

7 Race & Religion Race is unalterable. Religion is chosen. They are not the same and should not be treated equally.

8 Racial and Religious Tolerance Act (RRTA) A noble goal, but: Judges are not trained to settle millennia- old theological disputes and differences. The laws create superficial harmony through fear by threatening and punishing into silence, those who have genuine concerns.

9 such as ‘bigot,’ & ‘fundamentalist,’ are used to intellectually terrorize and silence those who disagree. Open and honest examination of the truth is not only avoided but also strongly discouraged and punished. Can be used to promote immoral, unjust and dangerous ideologies. Racial and Religious Tolerance Act (RRTA)

10 Taqiyya: the art of For example: Rewrites of Islamic history with the implication that the Muslims are always the good guys whereas it denigrates Christians. Uses Sufi definition of Jihad rather than the normal interpretation and practice of Muhammad and the last 1400 years of his followers. Lying and deception

11 Religious Tolerance Laws Introduce Shari’ah blasphemy laws by stealth. Will cause the death of Western democracy and civilisation if unchecked. Look at France, Britain, Netherlands, John Reid, Theo van Gough etc.

12 My Case An executive member of the Islamic Council of Victoria oversaw the implementation of these laws as an employee of the Equal Opportunity Commission. ICV and EOC encouraged people to look for offence. Exploits notions of tolerance and pluralism to alienate and intimidate those who disagree with Islamic teachings. Used the same tactics as Muhammad.

13 My Case ICV and EOC sent 3 people to find offence. Intimidated by Christianisms, such as ‘Amen!’ Complainants only attended parts of the seminar and not the whole. Cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, more than 5 years and lost income because of fear of association – don’t want to be painted with the same brush.

14 My Case Primary complaint: I accurately quoted the Qur’an and Hadith. Judge Higgins disagreed on Islamic doctrine with the Muslim scholars. Judge misrepresented testimony and evidence. Vilified me internationally with no recourse to defend myself.

15 My Case Punishment was disproportionately harsh. Supreme Court overturned the verdict and injunctions but has sent it back for retrial. Complainants get tax-payer assistance. Defendants get no assistance or compensation when found innocent.

16 The Law Truth is irrelevant. Open to exploitation. Expensive to defend with no compensation. Prevents open and honest examination of ideas and beliefs – this is essential for a democracy!!

17 Summary Over-reaction to Muslim polemics. These laws prevent and will destroy democracy. Are intellectual terrorism. Divides communities and can never unite. Are Shari’ah laws in disguise.

Tolerance is a crime when applied to evil.