Italian comedienne Sabina Guzzanti is facing a criminal charge for a bad joke. In Italy, it is a crime to insult the Pope or “offending the honour of the sacred and inviolable person” . Guzzanti is accused of crossing the line between comedy and crime in saying that Pope Benedict XVI would go to Hell and be tormented by homosexual demons. The joke could cost her is a prison term of up to five years.
in a Rome rally, she finished a joke with the statement: “But then, within 20 years the Pope will be where he ought to be — in Hell, tormented by great big poofter devils, and very active ones, not passive ones.”
While Europeans routinely criticize the religious based laws of countries like Iran and Iraq, the Guzzanti case shows that the West continue to impose their own sectarian forms of justice.
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Is it also a crime in Italy to insult the Dalai Lama? If not, why not?
seamus and Bob,
I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels that way about Scalia. He is an embarrassment and directly causal to the circumstances of the Bush-Halliburton Complex presidency. Not a man I’d trust, much less respect. Sorry! Got to go. DHS is kicking in my door . . .
well, not yet anyway. Lord Scalia (snicker).
seamus,
Truth be known, I blame Scalia more than Bush for the atrocities committed by the Bush administration.
The Pope is a joke and the Church’s handling of the priest scandals should be a crime.
My Dad went to highschool with Scalia (Xavier in N.Y.C.) Pop says Scalia was a real douchebag back then too.
I realise that’s not really a joke.
o.k. here’s one
Q: How many priests does it take to screw in a lightbulb???
A: They don’t screw in lightbulbs they screw innocent children.
Uh, I guess that’s not really a joke either. Sorry Holy Father.
I forgive you for being in the Hitler Youth Mr. Pope sir. Please forgive Italy’s favorite funny man.
“offending the honour of the sacred and inviolable person”
How long until someone is prosecuted for making a joke about Lord Scalia?
“offending the honour of the sacred and inviolable person”
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What the hell does that mean and how is it in any way relevant to the pope?
I have become convinced DARPA has put “stupid” drugs in the earth’s wind streams. French president and sex god, Sarkozy, recently said he thought the catholic church should be more involved with the govt. there. What a great idea. Human beings don’t yet have enough information to make an informed decision on the results of involving the church with the state. Yes, we must try this more and get the data.