So the other day Sweden ended its policy of NOT sending Gays back to Iran after they received an assurance from Iran that there was no truth to them putting to death Gays. (see story)
The Swedish government on Friday said that its embassy in Teheran had been assured by the Iranian government that gays were not being executed. ( full story )
While I suppose one is expected to accept the word of other Governments, it is none the less disappointing to see Sweden take this action. Perhaps part of the reason for ending the moritorium is due to the anger many in the Islam world have for European nations after the comic strip incident. While I don’t think the strip was in good taste, the reaction was rather over the top as well. Still to perhaps make a trade off like this is just Plain Wrong.
Under Iranian law, being Gay is punished by death. It really is that clear and yet the advice given by Swedish officials to Gays who are on their way back, is to not flaunt their sexuality. As if they could to begin with, and let’s be honest here, if the Iranians wish to kill you, there are a 1001 different religious violations they can nail a person with, so yes, technically they might not be hanging you for being Gay, but it is what set the radar off in the first place.
In this day and age it is obvious, that Religion as we know it has changed drastically and the world is slipping deeper towards the Dark Ages where religious zealots ruled and freedom was something unheard of. This is like the times of the Crusades, and both sides, are flexing their intolerance beliefs and attempting to push back time.
This truly is a dark time, when a country known for its tolerance, its humanity, tells Iranian Gays to keep secret their sexuality. This is not a step forward for Gay Liberation, or for Tolerance either. It is a sad state of affairs which only makes one wonder, what is next?
The Swedish government said that as long as gays did not “overtly” display their sexuality they would encounter no problems. ( full story )
Frankly this is exactly why there needs to be a real separation of State and Church. When one group holds power, and forces others to adhere to its own values, Freedom takes a back seat. No amount of ignoring civil rights law, or consitutional law can change this simple fact. Church doctrine and beliefs must be separate, and while Iran is an extreme example of what happens when Religion is the government, what is happening in the United States is a less extreme, but similar example.
The erosion of basic freedoms is what is at stake. Sweden has caved in and after all, its only a small number, so no big deal, or at least that is the impression given. No different than the worlds attitude when the Jews were being gassed by Germany. NO big deal, until WWII erupted.
