We may be only five weeks into 2009, but Lib Dem MP Evan Harris has already won an award – Secularist of the Year. The BBC reports:
The Liberal Democrat was named joint winner, with Lord Avebury, for their work in abolishing the blasphemy libel law in England and Wales. Dr Harris called the law “ancient, discriminatory and illiberal” as well as not compliant with human rights and against free speech. The offences of blasphemous libel and blasphemy were abolished last summer. …
Dr Harris has also campaigned to separate religion and the state claiming the current system has a number of anomalies, including which faith schools children are admitted to. He said religion should not be a factor in determining choice – children should just go to their local school. The prize was handed over by Oxford professor and atheist Richard Dawkins at an awards ceremony in London on Saturday.
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2 Comments
I assume that it will be alright to take the micky out of Allah now without comeback.Will Lord Avebury will defend me if others take umbrage?
Or alternatively…
“Eric wins Secularist of the Year 2009
We may be only five weeks into 2009, but Lib Dem Peer Eric Avebury has already won an award – Secularist of the Year…
“The Liberal Democrat was named joint winner, with Evan Harris MP …”
The BBC piece was from BBC Oxfordshire which explains why the local MP was the news but we ought to give Eric the credit as well as Evan for this well-deserved award!