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BBC: Council Bans Atheism Websites

Started by Kyuuketsuki, October 08, 2008, 11:27:50 AM

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Kyuuketsuki

Not sure if this is for real and, from July, it isn't quite current (may even have been resolved by now) but it might be worth a discussion:

BBC: Council Ban On Atheist Websites

QuoteA city council has blocked its staff from looking at websites about atheism.

Lawyers at the National Secular Society said the move by Birmingham City Council was "discriminatory" and they would consider legal action.

The rules also ban sites that promote witchcraft, the paranormal, sexual deviancy and criminal activity.

The city council declined to comment on the possible legal action, but said the new system helped make it easier for managers to monitor staff web access.

'Very strong case'

The authority's Bluecoat WebFilter computer system allows staff to look at websites relating to Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and other religions but blocks sites to do with "witchcraft or Satanism" and "occult practices, atheistic views, voodoo rituals or any other form of mysticism".

Under the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003, it is unlawful to discriminate against workers because of their religion or belief, which includes atheism.

National Secular Society president Terry Sanderson said the city council's rules also discriminated against people who practise witchcraft, which is also classed as a legitimate belief.

Read The Rest Of The Article Here

My opinion is, if true, it is wrong to ban any of these sites (including Satanism and Witchcraft) unless all religious sites are banned ... I accept that atheism is a religious POV even if it isn't a religion itself.

Kyu
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karadan

Haha! I'm working for the Cambridgeshire county council and this site hasn't been blocked.
QuoteI find it mistifying that in this age of information, some people still deny the scientific history of our existence.