Deface the Bible but don't touch other holy books

A tale of two stories illustrates remarkably different reactions from the authorities over two situations which have striking similarities.

Koran burning leads to arrest

Bible defaced: no problem

Arrest based on 'allegations' and 'suspicion' It is reported that a teenager has been arrested on suspicion of inciting religious hatred after allegedly burning an English language version of the Koran. The 15-year-old girl (a child in law) allegedly posted the video, filmed two weeks ago on her school premises, on Facebook. The video was reported to the school and subsequently removed, police said. Two Facebook profiles have also been removed from the site, police added. It is understood that the group who published that version of the Koran have since been to the school to talk to pupils. Catherine Heseltine, chief executive officer of the Muslim Public Affairs Committee, said burning the Koran was one of the most offensive acts to Muslims that she could imagine. Read on at the BBC... See also Christian Institute....

No action on undisputed actions Last year the Gallery of Modern Art (Goma) in Glasgow displayed a copy of the Bible in a public exhibition inviting those who feel that they have been excluded from the pages to 'write themselves into the book'. The exhibition was created by artists alongside organisations representing gays, and in the event pages have been scrawled with comments including 'F*** the Bible' and 'I am Bi, Female & Proud. I want no god who is disappointed in this'. The organisers stated that the intent was to open up public discussion on 'difficult subjects' and the display was at the 'cutting edge of free expression'. Concerning the exhibition Cranmer commented: 'It encourages people to deface the Bible in the name of art — and obliging visitors have responded with predictable abuse and obscenity. 'This can come as no surprise to the ‘artists’, who included in their creation a video of a woman ripping pages from the Bible and stuffing them into her bra, knickers and mouth.' Read on in The Times; The Daily Mail