LIKE so many antiquated pieces of UK legislation, the laws pertaining to blasphemy have never been repealed. This is a tragedy, for Britain is presently crying out for some sanity regarding religion.

The world is in flames because of the publication of a few newspaper cartoons. Yet there will always be problems while criticism of belief systems is still technically criminalised by statute.

The latest challenge to a free society comes from extreme elements of Islam. A minority of individuals - and that is what it is - are insisting that their convictions should be beyond examination.

However, those who continue to preach violence and hate should be reminded that the cornerstone of democracy is free speech. They must be left in no doubt that the right to criticise - within the law - is an inalienable right.

Religion has nothing to do with race - it is about opinions. It is every person's right to say if he or she disagrees with the philosophy of others. No matter how disagreeable, we must accept people's rights to express themselves.

Dissent and irreverence are signs of a healthy society - yet there are already rumblings about the cover of Droitwich-born comedian Rik Mayall's new book. Surely the Christian God is generous-hearted enough to tolerate the weak jokes of an overgrown schoolboy?

Hundreds of years of struggle have endowed us all with the right to criticise, insult or lampoon anything with which we find fault. But a small, non-representative element is attempting to smother scrutiny.

There is already a climate of repression in Britain. Recent attempts to pass an Act outlawing religious hatred is a manifestation of a truly disturbing trend. This perilous drift should be contested at every ditch. And the first step must be the repeal of the blasphemy laws.