SECULARISTSÂ have condemned the conviction of a “militant atheist” who left “offensive” anti-religious images in Liverpool Airport’s prayer room.
Stop Stop! We have run out of virgins: One of the cartoons left in the prayer room by Harry Taylor
According to the BBC, the National Secular Society called for the “draconian” law used against philosophy tutor Harry Taylor to be changed.
Taylor, 59, of Griffen Street, Salford, admitted at Liverpool Crown Court religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress.
He admitted leaving the images of “important religious figures”, but said he was simply challenging the views of others.
Nicky Lees, chaplain at the airport who was “severely distressed” by the discoveries in November and December 2008, immediately reported the images to the police, prosecutors said.
I was insulted, deeply offended and I was alarmed. I was so concerned that I rang the duty manager and the airport police. I was alarmed other people could come in and see these items and also feel offended and affronted as I was responsible for the prayer room.
Taylor, who has been released on bail, will be sentenced on 23 April. The maximum sentence for such an offence is seven years in prison.
Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, said the prosecution had brought blasphemy laws “in through the back door”.
This is a disgraceful verdict, but an inevitable one under this pernicious law. It seems incredible in the 21st Century that you might be sent to prison because someone is ‘offended’ by your views on their religion.
The blasphemy law was abolished three years ago, but it lives on under the guise of religiously aggravated offences and is several times more dangerous.
He added:
Mr Taylor struck me as slightly eccentric and he acted in a provocative way … [but] in a multicultural society, none of us should have the legal right not to be offended. This law needs to be re-examined urgently.
Federico Solmi's crucifix, from "The Evil Empire" (2007). Courtesy LMAKprojects
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it treated each case on an individual basis. A spokeswoman said:
All we can do is to look at each on its merits. We had a realistic chance of conviction, which was obviously seen in what happened in court.
According to Mediawatchwatch, one of the offensive cartoons (above), was from the Danish “motoon” series that caused uproar when they were first published.
Others included Christ on the cross next to an advert for a brand of “no nails” glue, a drawing of the Pope with a condom on his finger, and a picture of a woman kneeling in front of a Catholic priest with the caption “No, no my child, blow is just a figure of speech”, two Muslims holding a placard demanding equality with the caption “Not for women or gays, obviously”, and a pig excreting sausages labelled “The Qu’ran”.
NOTE: It is not known whether Taylor included artist Federico Solmi’s controversial crucifix which was confiscated from the Arte Fiera in Bologna last January. Charges against the artist were later dropped.
The cross, which features a pope character with a large grin and an even larger erection, offended a local judge who saw it during the fair, resulting in its confiscation and religious offense and obscenity charges against Solmi.
But the judges in a Bologna court of review found that the cross was neither blasphemous — because it is not a cult object — nor obscene, because it could not be unanimously ruled as such. The artwork is “undoubtedly provocative in light of its associations of sexual and religious symbols,” the judges said, “but that does not exclude its conduciveness to the notion of a work of art.”
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
March 5th, 2010 at 10:03 am
So religious people constantly barrage us with tracts and other crap that tell us we’re evil, perverted, immoral scum who are going to burn in hell unless we join their cult and kowtow to their arbitrary rules. But an atheist leaves a few trinkets that espouse his opinion and he gets prosecuted. WTF?
March 5th, 2010 at 10:06 am
What’s the betting that it’s the Mo-toon what did it? An unholy alliance, that’s what I say.
Joking apart, this is an enormous assault against freedom of speech and civil liberties. I wonder, also, whether it’s significant that it’s happened in one of our more religious cities? At what level of the CPS would this prosecution be authorised? Some jobbing lawyer, head of the Liverpool office, some regional figure or… Jack Straw?
March 5th, 2010 at 10:32 am
This from the Liverpool Daily Post.
http://tinyurl.com/yj5mwxe
Funny that – there are lots of accounts of Muslims getting highly offended when Christian artefacts appear in multi-faith prayer rooms. This one will run and run.
March 5th, 2010 at 10:54 am
In Liverpool Airport there is a statue of John Lennon, over which is the line ‘Above us only sky’.
I hope this wretched woman has to walk past it 100 times a day. Maybe one day the penny will drop.
March 5th, 2010 at 11:01 am
This is a stupid and offensive verdict – More so because of it being in John Lennon Airport, and my home town – Purloin the great man’s name, but none of his ideals. The sooner we get some body scanners there the better too – to cut down on having to share my flights with dangerous idiots whose minds are swimming with nonsense.
I agree with one thing though – Nicky Rees is “deeply disturbed” for believing such bullshit.
March 5th, 2010 at 11:21 am
By the way, you can send the hysterical (and I don’t mean funny hysterical) Nicky Lees your thoughts on the matter by using the online feedback form here:
http://www.liverpoolairport.co.....ct-us.html
March 5th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Oh dear, it’s okay to damn people with different believes then your own, but if they dare to challenge your delusions all hell breaks loose. As Mr. Taylor’s opinion regarding religion can also be considered some kind of faith, shouldn’t he be allowed to use this ‘prayer’-room just like the other religions?
March 5th, 2010 at 11:36 am
I wondered how it looked from the other side of the fence, so I’ve started a discussion on the Premier Christian Radio forum. I’ve really no idea how they’ll respond (well, I know how some of them will!)
http://www.premiercommunity.or.....and-caesar
March 5th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Scumbags. This is called “Free Speech.” This puke making “respect” for their views is crap. Hit them hard and hit them often.
March 5th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
It’s a joke!
Some good comments here (well, they are Liverpudlians, after all!) – including this one: “Imagine no blasphemy laws”. LMAO!!!
http://www.liverpooldailypost......nts-bottom
March 5th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
BTW: The Liverpool Daily Post story seems to have attracted another Christian troll!
“tagsy wrote:
One day we will all know the truth and have to account for our belief/unbelief. God loves all men (and women)and want us all to enter a relationship with Him, through Grace, the Christan scriptures teach this message of love throughout – even the alleged lieing politicians can experience it.
The love of God can change the evil ways of men (women) and thus change the world.”
Oh, dear!!
March 5th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
It seems to me that this was a tremendous overreaction on the part of this Ms Lees. Could she not have simply dumped the “objectionable” material in the trash? This is like calling the police because the JWs left you some copies of the watchtower…..but then of course the police would just laugh at you. But surely the airport chapel is a public place and there is still free speech? Obviously not in the UK these days nor is there any longer a concept of one law for all. What a travesty in the home of Magna Carta. The UK really needs a written constitution – fast. This case would not fly in the USA for a number of constitutional reasons
March 5th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
The catholic mafia have a lot of influence in and around Liverpool because the city is predominately catholic, so I doubt Harry Taylor actually had a fair trial.
This verdict is indeed an outrage, it seems free speech is one sided. As for that parasite of a Chaplain, she should grow up and join the rest of us in the 21st Century.
March 5th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Note the “militant” adjective. Christians are usually “devout” christians we are “militant” atheists. What are they doing with a sodding prayer room anyway? Gordon Brown, our religious PM, is appearing before that waste of time Chilcott Enquiry loaded with Establishment figures cleaning up loads of dosh for themselves. I wonder what Brown thinks the Liverpool squaddies and others are supposed to be dying for or coming home crippled if not for free speech.
Incidentally, that judge is a twat. He should have dismissed the case and givem substantial damages to the man in the dock for unjustified aggravation.
March 5th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
H. Davids – you’re spot on there! When it suits them atheism is “a belief”, and “it takes more faith to be an atheist than to believe in God”, but just try promoting atheist ideas in their precious “prayer room” and see where it gets you!!
March 5th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
There is another point made by H. Davids, Buffy and Broga (sorry if I’ve missed anyone out!). Atheists (especially of the homosexual variety) are always described as “militant”, and castigated by the religious for trying to “recruit” others to their way of thinking, but the boot never seems to fit on the other foot! Christians are merely “committed” and “devout” when constantly proselytising and spreading their bigoted and narrow-minded views, and I have seen Christian books and religious tracts with views on Islam and other “faiths” that leave the sentiments of these cartoons in the shade. My evangelical friends sincerely believe that Mohammed was possessed by the Devil, and that Muslims are going to hell. Suppose that they start praying in this vein in the prayer room, or handing out literature which promotes this view? Do I take it that if the abuse comes from another religiot it does NOT cause “offence” and “alarm”? (And I haven’t even touched on the views of Muslims re the kafirs!!)
March 5th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
That airport must be running on a shoestring and at the mercy of the no frills airlines who want very low rates – with the shortfall met by the local authority. Certainly the case with other regional UK airports.
Whoever picks up the bill for that chaplain’s salary might welcome an outcry over wasted public funds if it gives them an excuse to cut the cost!
March 5th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
@barriejohn,
That link that depicted that guy getting his arm “death twisted” by a croc earned my admiration. But, on topic, I’ve had a couple of virgins, and they not only lack any instinctual knowledge of what to do during sex, they also bleed on the sheets. So, I find myself wondering what the hell a muslim is going to do with seventy of them? How long would it take to train seventy women to gently eat a banana? It seems an impossible task.
But, giving muslims their just due, virgin nipples look you in the eye, mommy nipples are looking at the floor, and that ain’t right!!!!
NeoWolfe
March 5th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
@barryjohn Richard Dawkins’ comment is accurate. Everyone is an atheist for every religion except their own. Dawkins’ added, “I just take it one step further.”
March 5th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
NeoWolve, by the time the laundry is done, all of the no-longer virgins can gently eat a banana, unless there’s rubbers sheets in paradise.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Have I stepped into some kind of Donnie Darko wormhole and been whisked back in time 30 years? Prosecution and a possible long-term prison sentence for lewd religion-based cartoons?!! I’ll bet you can find things just as risque at most branches of Waterstones if you look for them. It would seem that Nicky Lees missed the part of the Bible about turning the other cheek, and the behaviour of the police/ law is more extraordinary than any of the cases from over the years that fundies never tire of bringing up, most recently the Pauline Howe incident. It will be interesting to see how certain evangelical groups react to this.
March 5th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
You’re right, Stuart. They will, of course, be initially hailing this news as a “victory”, but upon reflection may well have second thoughts. I used to live in Swindon, where my “Brethren” colleagues were very keen on open-air preaching, tract distribution and other such forms of evangelism. As there is a very large Muslim community in the town now, they are going to find it very difficult to “preach Jesus”, as they put it, without actually breaking the law, because, to these fanatics, anyone who preaches that there is any other way to heaven than through Islam is insulting their “prophet”, and will be accused of causing “offence” and “outrage”!
March 5th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
I’m still astonished that what will surely be a major de-facto new law could be conjured up so easily over such a trivial matter. Might a Freedom of Information request determine how far up the establishment it went before the prosecution was authorised? Does the judge, who should surely have thrown the case out, have any strong religious affiliation which ought to have disqualified him? Was the defendant allowed to challenge any excessively religious jurors?
More to the point, is anyone setting up fund to allow him to appeal? Probably not – he’s bound to get a suspended or very light sentence so that it’s not worth his while to appeal. That way the precedent will stand and the next person will well and truly clobbered.
Thank de lawd the sun’s over the yard-arm – I need a double.
March 5th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
You’re right, too, Brian, if you’re still sober enough to read this. He will receive a derisory “punishment” for this non-crime, but it is to be hoped that the NSS, Liberty, or others, can finance an appeal, all the way to the top if necessary, so that further such prosecutions are not possible. Sadly, I wonder whether the victim is the right person to act as the “guinea pig” here!
March 5th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
@barriejohn You are absolutely right – somebody needs to make sure this goes to appeal, that it gets national media coverage and that those responsible for persecuting someone for their non-belief get shamed. If the boot was on the other foot you can be sure the odious xtian legal centre would be all over it like a rash. How do we make this happen? Any suggestions anyone?
March 5th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Yes, still sober – everything I taste is as bitter as gall. Very little on Google about the judge’s sentencing history and since it’s clearly a political prosecution it would be nothing to go by anyway. I was a bit alarmed by the judge’s reference to previous offenses though – could be the bloke was well known locally and the jury could have been only too glad to find him guilty if they were of an overly religious disposition.
I can’t find any evidence of his “previous” but while looking found this report on The Drum http://tinyurl.com/y8mq2hh which says it took the jury just 15 minutes to find him guilty. It also says that the “no nails” cartoon was similar to one which won an advertising award in 2007. Need we know more?
March 5th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
I have always thought that as a general rule a crime has to have a victim. Some pathetic deluded bleater pretending to be a victim doesn’t count. Did anyone really believe her childish wingeing about how traumatised she was by being unexpectedly confronted by rude pictures that made fun of her imaginary friends? I just wanted to scream Oh FFS grow up and get an effing life, oh and while you’re on get a real job as well you effing parasite.
On the other hand I think that we should be encouraged by this kind of thing. These kind of hysterical reactions are due to our enemies having completely lost the argument. Even as recent as fifty years ago a well informed Christian could put forth a case that would be convincing to a reasonably large proportion of the population. This would be partly due to a lower general level of education and partly due to many people being completely ignorant of the existance of other religions. Now I think that even the faithful know deep down that the game is up, people just no longer believe their nonsense and these infantile tantrums are the result.
If we do have to raise some money to help this guy out and get the law changed maybe Ariane Sherine could help.
March 5th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
Can I report Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor to the police for deeply offending me when he said on BBC Radio4 on 29th March 2009 that “people who do not seek the transcendent, i.e. God, are not fully human”? I have been suffering ever so much since. One day the thought of not being fully human will surely kill me.
After 9 months on Youtube, close on 38,000 clicks, 354 comments and a fortnight after offering me revenue share on my Cardinal video, as it “had started to arouse interest and comments” Youtube removed it on account of its “inappropriate” content.
March 6th, 2010 at 12:32 am
No, you cannot report Cardinal Comic Murphy O’Cummer, @Neuseline, because you’re not religious, so your feelings don’t count!
March 6th, 2010 at 12:38 am
This confirms what I think many have sucpected for years. Xtians find more to admire in Islamists than Atheists.
If you have a few spare minutes over the weekend, why not send Nicky Lees suggestions on where to get a life?
Nicky Lees
Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Liverpool
L24 1YD
You could even draw her a picture
P.s If you end up in the slammer I don’t have your bail money
March 6th, 2010 at 12:49 am
Christians also have no sense of humour, Ash. I was going to suggest that local atheists leave a plentiful supply of their literature in this “prayer room”, as it would appear that it is supposed to be for everyone. Just who does this woman think she is to censor what people can read there? My other idea – that people should print off thousands of “offensive” leaflets and deposit them there might prove rather risky under the circumstances, but that was my immediate reaction!
March 6th, 2010 at 1:02 am
I am a lurker here but this has moved me to post for the first, probably only, time. I have nothing to add that hasn’t been said but copy the text of my correspondence to Liverpool John Lennon Airport. I would encourage others to share their opinions with them.
I am writing in connection to the recent events surrounding the conviction of Harry Taylor following his exercising his basic human right to free speech in your airport. I realise he chose to do this in a controversial manner, as is his right.
I personally feel insulted, deeply offended and alarmed that Liverpool John Lennon Airport employ a chaplain and have a prayer room. Poor old me, eh? I guess I’ll manage somehow. That’s what adults do, being responsible for themselves. Nicky Lees does a gross disservice to other users of the prayer room in judging them lacking in this regard. As a human being I find this offensive also. Don’t worry though – I’ll cope, somehow.
Nicky Lees strikes me as a provacative eccentric with a dangerous agenda. She may be responsible for the prayer room but she is certainly not an arbiter on offence, on any grounds. Tolerance is a virtue expounded by many faiths but where was it here? Instead a man could, theoretically, face seven years in prison for doing something entirely reasonable. You might not like it, you might really not like it, but that, in all seriousness, is your problem. Nobody has the right to not be offended. Many demand special treatment but a demand is not a justification.
I worked in Liverpool for 4 years and still have connections there but it’s the train for me from now on. Sure, like you’ll miss one potential passenger. It won’t register for a nanosecond on your figures. But I will know, which is enough.
John Lennon would be throughly disgusted to his very core to be associated with your organisation. Truly shameful.
There are good reasons why we differentiate public and private. Maybe you should just stick to running an airport?
March 6th, 2010 at 1:07 am
Does anyone know whether it’s possible to get transcripts of trials? It would be helpful to know exactly what the prosecution claimed to be so harmful and whether the offense was upsetting one priestess or the potential upsetting of other religious persons who might see the leaflets. Also what, if anything in particular, might have made it seem so cut and dried that it took the jury only 15 minutes to reach a unanimous guilty verdict. Do all cases find their way into the lawyers’ dusty tomes eventually, or only those considered significant? Which this one surely is, of course.
March 6th, 2010 at 7:20 am
Sorry guys and gals, but I just have to comment on the title. “Back-door legislation” seems right up a priest’s alley, since they can’t go in the front!
Now with that out of the way, I do think it’s rather inappropriate to have these prayer rooms if I and my Atheist “brethren” cannot use them to contemplate the non-existence of God. Or, more appropriately, ANYTHING ELSE which has a higher standing than the existence of some sky-fairy, such as poverty, hunger, murder, genocide, rape, abuse, etc. If we can’t defame it, it shouldn’t be religion.
It seems so awkward. If these people can be caused such great distress by a few drawings, how strong is their faith? If they were strong in it, it seems to me they would have, as many have suggested, just tossed the pics in the garbage and washed their hands of the matter. But no, the child-molestations, hypocrisy, and abuse can be glossed over, but not a few rather harmless, not to mention funny, cartoons.
I just hope they realize one day that their end is hell (on Earth, if they have their way).
March 6th, 2010 at 9:50 am
This guy Harry lives around the corner from me and I’m tempted to walk round and knock on for a chat.Don’t know if he would welcome that though? @J. Good idea to write to the airport after all it’s their bloody ridiculous prayer room that started it.I wonder what Lennon would say.
March 6th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
@J. I liked your comments. I also liked the term “lurker” which I assume is people who read but don’t post comments. Whatever, from the tone of your post you are welcome in either capacity.
March 6th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
@barriejohn
Thanks for reminding me. How stupid of me. As not quite human I am incapable of being offended in any case.
March 6th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
it is indeed ironic the Airport named after the man who asked us to “imagine there’s no religion” has a prayer room!
It is less feasible than the rumblings of any image used for a car ad!
March 6th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
If there is an appeal for Taylor, folk might easily save a few pennies for it by not visiting the other facilities owned by those behind John Lennon Airport.
Out of curiosity, I looked into it and found this is Peel Holdings, the property development company who also run, amongst other things, the Trafford Centre.They have a very nice corporate website where you can get details of all their other UK developments if you’re so inclined.
Incidentally, does anyone know if the Trafford Centre has a ‘prayer room’?
March 6th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
I’ve emailed the NSS to keep us informed. I think this is very dangerous, and we should be prepared to back any action by the NSS. I’ve also emailed the airport so if we make our feelings known, they might think twice about doing this again, and may (huh) give Ms Lees a swift kick in the pants. I also quoted the relevant part of JL’s song at them (….and no religion too…). He must be spinning in his grave. Could we get Yoko on the case?
March 6th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
@ Frankyv Well done chief. I think the NSS could be and need to be really useful here as a focal point for opposition to this conviction, especially in light of the recent success of their anti-pope petition (out of interest, how have you asked them to keep us informed?). I’m going to email the BHA as well to see if they can get some kind of groundswell going as they did with the atheist bus campaign.
I don’t know about you guys, but I am seriously incensed by this one. No matter how misguided, no matter how naive, we have to fight for one of our own here.
March 7th, 2010 at 10:39 am
@Marcus I get the NSS weekly Newsline e-mail, and Terry Sanderson reported this on that as well as their on website. They have an email/letters section. I think Terry has spoken to the man so has first hand info’ about what happened. I’m worried as to how come the jury only took 15 minutes to decide he was guilty, and if the judge is anything like Cherie Bliar/ Booth he’s done for. He’s due to be sentenced on 23rd April. Also why the CPS thought it was a case to prosecute. What Harry did seems so trivial compared to the over-the-top response from everybody.
March 7th, 2010 at 10:56 am
The more I think about this, the more upset it makes me. Basically, this guy left satirical cartoons in a public prayer room at an airport. The cartoons were as follows:
“One image showed a smiling Christ on the cross next to an advert for a brand of “no nails” glue.
In another, Islamic suicide bombers at the gates of paradise are told: ” Stop, stop, we’ve run out of virgins.” … See more
A further cartoon showed two Muslims holding a placard demanding equality with the caption: “Not for women or gays, obviously.”
I simply cannot believe, that In 2010, in the UK, this guy has [amazingly] been found guilty of a ridiculous version of an antiquated blasphemy law, and could go to jail for 7 years (the maximum sentence for this ‘crime’).
He’s going to jail for satirical cartoons that pose less harm than anything you’ll find thrown at – for example; political figures in any daily tabloid. Not only that, but he’s going to jail for taking the piss out of people and figureheads from faiths believing in *nonexistent* mythological entities!
Could I go to jail for posting my views here?! Jesus Christ!!!!!!!
March 7th, 2010 at 11:02 am
That chaplain has written a children’s book about two anthropomorphic mice living under the John Lennon statue. Clearly oblivious of the fact that above it is written “above us just the sky”. Shouldn’t she be calling for a tank to pull it down?
March 7th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Mice living in the shadow of John Lennon? Seems to just about sum up this stupid twerp and her ilk to me!
March 8th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Terry Sanderson sent me this email to clarify this situation.
“@Frances,
This is a difficult case because Harry Taylor wanted to be prosecuted and will, presumably, continue to claim that he did this as a deliberate provocation. Under the law, the court has little option but to find him guilty. Therefore, it is the law that needs to be challenged. We have been complaining about it from before it was even enacted. When the law was first proposed, the NSS argued that this is where it would lead. So, our campaign will have to be against the law itself.
Mr Taylor came to us originally with the cartoons, but it was unclear what he wanted us to do about it other than raise the issue in the press. He is a difficult man to deal with, and wasn’t seeking our advice about what he should do. He isn’t on email and is often out of the country, so trying to support him is next to impossible.
While we have every sympathy with him, we cannot say that he has innocently become ensnared by this law. He set out to deliberately challenge it. We would like to support him in some way, but, as I say, this doesn’t seem to be what he wants.
We will do our best to ensure that his case has the highest public profile we can manage, but our main energies have to be aimed at changing the law.”
The NSS can’t help Harry as he doesn’t want it. But they are now and always have been against the law itself, so we have to try to work at getting it removed.
March 9th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
You may want to see a Facebook site entitled ‘John Lennon Airport should be renamed Ayatollah Khomeini Airport’ at http://www.facebook.com/group......038;ref=nf
The only answer to humourless lunacy is humorous lunacy!