In this case I agree that some kind of anti-blasphemy laws have legitimate value. NOT to the extent that such laws often are taken, but in cases where religions are commercially exploited or trivialized --on grounds of defamation of character. BR ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Straits Times / Singapore Sep 1, 2010 'Blasphemous' bar forced to shut
JAKARTA - AN INDONESIAN court on Wednesday ordered the local branch of Paris-based Buddha Bar to close after convicting the licence holder of blasphemy, a lawyer said. It also ordered licensee PT Nireta Vista Creative, the official Jakarta tourism agency and Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo to pay damages of one billion rupiah (S$149,400) to the plaintiffs for distress. The city authorities had failed to consider the religious sensitivities when they approved the licence, the judges said. 'The licence holder was found guilty of blasphemy and of using Buddhist symbols and ornaments at an inappropriate place.' The plush lounge bar and restaurant is the France-based chain's first franchise in Asia, but it sparked protests almost from the moment it opened in late 2008 in an upmarket area of central Jakarta. Its trademark Oriental styling - including a large sitting Buddha figure which dominates the bar area - infuriated mainly Muslim Indonesia's Buddhist minority, who organised protests and a legal challenge. The owners of the bar reportedly vowed to appeal the court's decision, which could have implications for other hotels, bars and restaurants that feature decorative statues of Buddha. -- AFP -- Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community <[email protected]> Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org
