Nun of that!

margaret richards

Mar 7th 2010, 11:44

Hilarious:)))))))))))))))) The nun looks quite real.............could it be that she got fed up at the convent????????? The police are also smiling:)))))))))))))))) Come on guys grow up - it was a good time as any other to have a good laugh. In fact the sis with the specs looks a replica of a sis who used to teach me years back................perhaps she has not changed at all and decided to go looney for an evening:)))))))))))))))))))))))0 SMILE:)))

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 22nd 2010, 16:38

@JoeXuereb If you read my comment slowly enough you will realize that although I consider your comment irrelevantly out of context in this blog I did not call your comment “feeble”. It is you who are explaining that your “efforts are effortless” – and it shows.

Joe Xuereb

Feb 22nd 2010, 15:01

Francisco (not Goya y Lucientes, too scabrous for fair comparison), thank you for downgrading my comments to 'feeble, out-of-context, irrelevant' efforts. In fact I'll have you know that my efforts are effortless. For the simple fact that, il-verita` hija sagrosanta (truth is just that, and s/he who practises it experiences the

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unbearable_Lightness_of_Being

This should be tried at least once, the Road Less Travelled. Problem is, once one embarks on this route, there is no turning back.
If something is rotten to the core, it deserves attack from any angle, from any fort, at any time. One need not wait for a puny Carnival to expose the rot.
The link in question will be quoted forever and a day as it is 'worth it', like the eggy face in the advert.

Robert Agius

Feb 21st 2010, 19:18

@ Dr Saliba

I do not need to play with words. Why don't you take your ideas about Nietzsche to any philosophy department and see see if you get taken seriously? Please note i only gave a reply to what has been commented so keep your cool.

I do not take Da vinci code or the last temptations of Christ seriously. Neither to I take the bible too seriously either. Am i allowed that (and i mean no disrespect to those who take any bible too serious)? Do you admit that book's like Rushdie's 'the satanic verses' is a literature masterpiece? despite irritating many and even facing himself with a death threats and a fatwa.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 21st 2010, 18:40

@JoeXuereb

Please read my comment @RobertAgius requesting him to stick to the subject of this blog, that is the police attempts to control excessive and offensive behaviour against religion during carnival. It applies also to your latest effort.

From my experience when I used to comment on Fr J Borg's blog I know that you are unable to resist any occasion to mount an attack against all aspects of religion. I will not assist your efforts by involving myself in any "out of subject" comment by you.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 21st 2010, 18:22

@RobertAgius

Please do not attempt to distort what I write by your “seems tantamount to”. I do not need your help to make myself understood. And please do not continue to diverge from the subject of this blog because I will refuse to follow your red herrings.

I do not give any credence to “The Last Temptation of Christ” and the “Da Vinci code”, and neither should you if you want to be taken seriously. They are only elaborate pseudo-historical fiction literature and not any accurate historical account or even any legitimate "interpretation".

It is you, not I, that need to acquaint yourself with, and to admit, the Nazi’s use of Nietzsche ‘s philosophy to bolster their claim to a superior Arian race and the ensuing holocaust. You have already admitted that because you yourself mentioned Nietzsche sister’s collaboration, so please do not start to play with words now.

Joe Xuereb

Feb 21st 2010, 18:16

To all those like Dr. Francis Saliba and his ilk, they who want to preserve Malta's belief system in its purest(?) unchanged form, may I remind them that if they are worried about outside influences underming their addiction of choice, may I remind them of the enemy within and address that issue. I am thinking of course about child-abuse that is hushed up, child-abuse that is not hushed up (I am thinking of infants being exposed, as part of their indoctrination (in itself child-abuse), exposed to gory life-size statues, all blood and pain, a man they are told loves(?) them. I digress. These religious zealots should address the enemy within, like a high-ranking priest who says that Muslim leaders in Malta should build as many mosques as they deem fit (see link below).
http://www.timesofmalta.com/blogs/view/20090509/fr-joe-borg/should-there-be-more-mosques-in-malta
Now this is what they should be worrying about. Admonishing people by reminding them that insulting the 'Malta's religion in the Constitution' is short-sighted, hypocritical and not unlike shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted as a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence would certainly point out. Very militant, those sisters! Bless 'em!!

Robert Agius

Feb 21st 2010, 17:44

@Dr Saliba

Apparently you're on the winning team (worryingly) since the last part of my comment went missing.

What you say seems tantamount to blaming Jesus for the inquisition. Get go back to reading if you believe that Nazi's followed his philosophy. I do find it very ironic however that when it comes to something like 'the last temptation's of Christ' or 'Da Vince code' for example, certain institutions are 'shocked' and are very quick to point out to people not to believe in such interpretations.

I have my own concept of what you call 'God' by the way. However I don't like to use that word since it carries too many connotations, and I believe has been corrupted by people who speak for 'GOD' but respect anyone's belief anyway.

I'm 'ape like' as everybody else and that is EXACTLY why i find it absurd that people are not allowed to dress up in such manners. Who is claiming to be superior here?

'A law for lion and ox is oppression' William Blake (perhaps more to the likings of Charles and yourself).

Kevin Cassar

Feb 21st 2010, 17:42

@ Dr Francis Saliba

I feel the same way exactly so again we agree. May I suggest you take a look at this article and my comments on it and judge for yourself who makes wrong assumptions. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100221/letters/an-inclusive-pastoral-letter

You don't really have to - it's your choice. In my comments I question the competence of the Bishops who, in their pastoral made statements that contradict the Gospel.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 21st 2010, 16:33

@KevinCassar

Please take note that I have not denied respect, that I do not offer respect and above all that I do not expect any civil respect from those who themselves show no respect for the religious sentiments of others. That way, I am never disappointed. Any wrong assumption along those lines would be yours and yours alone. What I expect and what I get inevitably is pejorative disrespectful ad hominem invective when a certain type of adversary runs out of logical comments.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 21st 2010, 16:13

@ RobertAgius

My comment is not about Nietzsche or his sister. It is about his philosophy that was indeed used by the Nazis to foster their false doctrine of a superior Arian race and the subsequent holocaust. I do not share your disrespectful attitude towards those who believed in God for centuries before Nietzsche and those others who continue to believe in God decades after he arrogantly and prematurely pronounced Him dead. I hope you realize that you are as much a Charles’ “ape-like being” as everybody else.

@KevinCassar

If you really need proof of the “drunken revelry” at the Nadur Carnival please take off your blinkers and read the newspaper reports about the number who were so intoxicated that they required treatment and the nauseating clean-up that the residents had to carry out after the orgy was over.

Kevin Cassar

Feb 21st 2010, 14:25

@ Dr Francis Saliba

Your arguments are all filled with irrational assumptions which you claim not to make.

"You only made me marvel how you fail to distinguish between Carnival drunken revelry and a religious procession. "

Your assumption that your view is necessarily the only possible view without the support of evidence marvels me too.

Your assumption that Carnival is "drunken revelry" is an offence. You're implying drunkenness again with nothing to support your argument. People don't need to drink to dress up for carnival.

Kevin Cassar

Feb 21st 2010, 14:16

@ Dr Francis Saliba

Ah Finally!!! Something we agree on 100% Quote "It is true that respect is earned but, and that is very big BUT, the respect of some people is not worth earning - infact it may be a demerit!"

That is exactly why I don't need your respect and that of your "blind faith" congregation.

Robert Agius

Feb 21st 2010, 12:54

@ Dr Saliba

I know perfectly well how his sister (ab)used of his writings. Do you however mean to say the Nazis 'superman' is what Nietzsche talks about?if that is the case, you should go back to reading his books again. If anything, The concept of god was not abandoned but taken up and replaced by ape like beings that Charles was talking about....

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 21st 2010, 11:05

@KevinCassar

No you did not offend me at all. You only made me marvel how you fail to distinguish between Carnival drunken revelry and a religious procession.

It is true that respect is earned but, and that is very big BUT, the respect of some people is not worth earning - infact it may be a demerit!

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 21st 2010, 06:31

@RobertAgius

The Nazis did adopt Nietzsche's concept of the "Superman" in their philosophy of a superior Arian race. And when Nietzsche said "God id dead" he meant that the concept of God had been abandoned, not that he had existed at one time but that this was so no longer the case.

Kevin Cassar

Feb 21st 2010, 01:37

@ Dr Francis Saliba

Respect is earned not inherited. Funny how all this fuss about religious costumes suddenly goes mysteriously away during the various pageants and the real carnival - good friday. Ooops did I offend you. Well you know what they say "live by the sword and perish by the sword".

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 20th 2010, 20:37

@JohnFarrugia

In the entertainment business it is axiomatic that “no publicity” is the only “bad publicity”. That is why “dressing as a popstar”, mimicking a popstar and even good humoured mocking of a popstar are all welcome publicity. They keep the popstar in the public eye. The same cannot be said of religion and its adherents throughout the world. I include all genuinely held beliefs worldwide and not just Christianity in Malta. It is not a question of any privileged status or oppression. It is a question of civil behaviour and respect towards the religious sentiment of others that should be spontaneously granted by courteous civilised people. It is a great misfortune that when dealing with carnival vulgar revelers, often intoxicated, the sanction of protection by law becomes necessary.

Robert Agius

Feb 20th 2010, 20:27

@Charles Grixti

Nietzsche - Nazi ???

You should seriously go back to reading his books m8! you have totally misunderstood what he was trying to say. Please also note that he says 'God is dead' not that he never existed. This should give you food for thought.

Robert Agius

Feb 20th 2010, 20:11

@ mary Smith

hands down there. It is still a form of Imperialism that is at work in the western world (not democracy) in the west. Western countries still use up resources from the rest of the world and globalization work out perfect in terms of selling to a wider market (the purpose being greed for a few). However, Multiculturalism is not a in itself a bad thing, it takes a lot of time but some people are impatient and want to squeeze as much money as they can from the system. Europe was built thanks to immigrants after WW2. Multiculturalism cannot be introduced in a short period of time. Indeed the western world has a lot of work to do in terms of sorting out the wrong it has (and is still doing) to rest of the planet. This is however a totally different topic and has nothing to do with preserving and increasing the freedoms which we enjoy.

Charles Grixti

Feb 20th 2010, 19:57

@Robert Agius

I am not a Nazi therefore do not hold Nietzsche, his teaching or his followers to a high esteem. I have no illusion about a "SuperMan", for what I see all through history is a stupid, selfish and arrogant ape-monkey who thinks he is a God and is above nature. Nietzsche espouses essentially a Christian philosophy, except that he changed the centrepiece of worship from Christ to that ape-monkey himself - Man.

Mary Smith

Feb 20th 2010, 19:51

@Robert Agius

You said that in Europe thngs are shifting back to the Crusades. This is a symptom and reaction to the overblown hysterical outbursts of cultures not indegenous to Europe, caused no doubt by the introduction of multiculturalism in Europe (to whose benefit I leave to you to figure out). Therefore, if Europeans are harking back to the days of the Crusades it is but a symptom and reaction to what they see is a threat to their (European) culture and identity, whether perceived or actual.

Robert Agius

Feb 20th 2010, 19:12

@Mary Smith

That is one of the strengths of the western world. The fact that we can do that and not cause derangement and death threats unlike in the other parts of the globe. That is perhaps one of the only true strength in western culture since the french revolution. A democracy is always 'work in progress' however. Hence the need of changes. Or do you perhaps favour their behavior? Things in Europe seem to be shifting back to the crusades and its either a step backwards or a move forwards. Which would you choose?

John Farrugia

Feb 20th 2010, 18:33

It is plain ridiculous that we get so worked up about something as simple as this; the attitude of pure foreboding and condemnation doesn't get anyone anywhere...What about dressing as a popstar? There's no offence there? Religion sometimes tends to take an unreasonably priveleged status

Mary Smith

Feb 20th 2010, 17:34

@D. Philips

Yes, I totally agree with you, what is wrong with a culture that cannot laugh at itself this day and age, its customs and foibles and the gods it worships? Like those MO-toons from Denmark that were so innocuous but managed to set up deranged furor around the world and death threats to those that blaspheme somebody’s figments of imagination.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 20th 2010, 11:16

@RobertAgius

The influence of the Church over people derives from Christ’s injunction to spread the “good news”, His assurance that He will be with it till the end of time and that Hell shall not prevail against it.

I do not speak for anybody else but my views may reflect the opinion of many others who are satisfied with the present position of the Catholic Church in relation to the Republican Constitution of Malta, who do not undermine it nor do they amend it so as to appease the irreligious and anti-religious.

Robert Agius

Feb 20th 2010, 10:30

@Charles Grixti

Culture is built on Blood as Nietzsche said. Holocaust and Rwanda are just two cases of many that happened since WW2 and just a scratch since recorded history.

@ Dr Saliba

And how do you think the church managed to preserve such power over people? Fear of burning in hell or downright brainwashing since birth perhaps (again my personal musings). I mean if advertising truly works the church definitely wins hands down in marketing strategy. Till the age of reason of course. I'm being half serious here, there are many people within the church who EARNED my respect. Others (and I must add the institution as a whole) still have a long way to earn any respect from my part (then again what does it matter to them, who am I? As long as they got people (and laws) that alllow them to exert influence they are fine). Or maybe the 'people (i wonder who you are talking about, it seems like you are presuming to be the mouthpiece for everyone this time)' who rejected 'that' for this years Nadur carnival are starting to fear they might be coming to reason.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 20th 2010, 09:14

@KevinCassar.

You may call it what you like. The fact remains that inciting on the web Malta residents to cross over to Gozo en masse defiantly masquerading as Christ, in order to insult the religious sentiments of the nation, and trying (unsuccessfully) to overwhelm the police by sheer weight of numbers, and on top of everything, expecting immunity from prosecution are not any decent or civilized way to “update” the law. It is no excuse that violent anarchic mobs try it all over the world. The people of Malta rejected that for this year’s Nadur Carnival.

Kevin Cassar

Feb 20th 2010, 00:48

@ Dr Francis Saliba

"@KevinCassar Accusing Christ of blasphemy, dropping that charge and substituting it by a false charge of rebellion against Rome does not convince me that Christ committed blasphemy against himself. From the Christian point of view Christ is the author of what passes as Mosaic law and his declared mission was not to destroy that law but to update it. He openly criticized the way it was being applied by the establishment and I do not doubt for a moment that he had the authority to interpret and to apply it, much more so than any Israelite priest. That does not apply to us mere mortals especially to Carnival revelers. I am therefore not interested in any list of Mitzvot laws he is supposed to have broken"

This is called "special pleading" and is a common trait among apologists. Similarly, we do not want to destroy the law but want to update it. This also happens when we argue about the commandament "thou shalt not kill" which applies to everyone except God and his people. One cannot argue against this type of reasoning.

Charles Grixti

Feb 19th 2010, 21:44

@Martin Cassar

You have the whole thing backwards.

The Roman Catholic Church's 2000 year history is one of dominance, temporal political powers,causing much bloodshed and deaths of thousands such as those accused of heresy by challenging its hegenomy in spiritual matters. The Church is in a position of power. It was never the underdog, whereas the Holocaust, was perpetrated against innocent and powerless people such as the Jews and other non-desirables (according to Nazi criteria) and likewise happened when Nazi tyrants were in a position of power, with millions of innocent people murdered.

And that is why it is in bad taste to make fun of those who suffer, as opposed to making fun of those that are the cause of suffering.

@Robert Agius

Perhaps it is that the Holocaust is so often mentioned above all other genocides because it happened in recent memory and in a very civilized and highly cultured nation in Europe - Germany, and not in some third world backwater. This makes it double shocking, that Christians, the majority Catholics, set about a systematic campaign of genocide right in the heartland of Europe. Likewise the Rwanda genocide has a lot of Europeans and even clerics implicated.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 19th 2010, 19:52

@KevinCassar Accusing Christ of blasphemy, dropping that charge and substituting it by a false charge of rebellion against Rome does not convince me that Christ committed blasphemy against himself. From the Christian point of view Christ is the author of what passes as Mosaic law and his declared mission was not to destroy that law but to update it. He openly criticized the way it was being applied by the establishment and I do not doubt for a moment that he had the authority to interpret and to apply it, much more so than any Israelite priest. That does not apply to us mere mortals especially to Carnival revelers. I am therefore not interested in any list of Mitzvot laws he is supposed to have broken

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 19th 2010, 18:41

@RobertAgius I belong to that section of the population that believes that a series of punctuation marks is no substitute for a verb and that "semiotics" is a medical terms that is not a substitute for "semantics". What I find "tedious and tiring" is translanting your comments into comprehensible English.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 19th 2010, 18:25

@AGrech Even if you believe that your “understanding of English is very good” please do not blame me be for your inability to express yourself properly. Whatever your intentions were, there can be no doubt that after your first paragraph, you singled me out, mentioning me by name to the exclusion of all others.

Kevin Cassar

Feb 19th 2010, 18:20

@ Dr Francis Saliba Ok I accept your explanation on the cause of the actual crucifixion, but that does not mean he did not break the law of blasphemy so my argument still stands. He also broke the law of the Sabbath and various other laws of his time. If you require I can send you a list of the laws he broke out of the 613 laws of the Mitzvot (Moses laws) but I doubt it will fit in 200 words.

Robert Agius

Feb 19th 2010, 18:16

@ Dr Saliba We can have a whole tiring and tedious debate about subjects, predicates, logical constructions for argumentation or we can discuss semiotics. Pretend not to understand then.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 19th 2010, 17:54

@StefanVella For your information, I have answered Kevin Cassar. I will answer your question next but only after your hope for “Catholics to become a minority” is realized. I do not intend to waste my time on your “pie in the sky” expectations.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 19th 2010, 17:41

@KevinCassar Read and understand properly the gospel version of Christ’s trial and crucifixion. Christ’s capital “offence” was not blasphemy otherwise He would have been stoned to death by the Jews themselves. The charge of blasphemy had failed and Christ was crucified by the Romans, at the instigation of the leaders of the Jews, because they accused Him of fomenting rebellion against Rome with his talk about His kingdom. Pressure was exerted on a reluctant Pilate by accusing him of not behaving as a friend of Rome unless he crucified Christ. Jewish leaders feared the usual massive reprisal by the Roman legions against any whiff of rebellion. The Sanhedrin decided that it would be better if one man (Christ) died rather than the whole nation would suffer again at the hands of the Roman legions.

A. Grech

Feb 19th 2010, 17:24

@ Francis Saliba: My understanding of english is very good, it is you who failed to understand my comments, the part addressed to you was the following: "Saliba, , I wonder what you think about the theory of evolution? If you are a real christian you should be humble enough not to impose on others, Free Will remember." About evolution, the church accepted this only in the late 20 century when before it took a position of neutrality... but i asked you this question just to size you up, when the church didn't want to take a position on the subject, what were your views as a devout catholic? True, it had nothing to do with the present article. The rest was direct to all whose comments i found quite irritating so i addressed my comment "To Francis Saliba and the like:" And there was one commentator who did associate us agnostics and atheists with animals. Your condescending attitude and attempts to pass me off as a child only shows your method with dealing with confrontation. And by the way i believe in God, it's the abuse of law and useless tainting of lives i'm against. (i.e. the sentenced JC)

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 19th 2010, 16:53

@RobertAgius Your last paragraph consists of two disconnected phrases with a profusion of exclamation marks but not a single predicate. It does not make sense to me.

Dr Franics Saliba

Feb 19th 2010, 16:29

@A Grech

Are you sure you understand English and that you are addressing the right person? I never called you, or anyone else an animal even though it is a scientific fact that we are all specimens of that branch of the animal kingdom called Homo sapiens! Ask your teacher of evolution. To me “evolution” is no longer a theory at all but a proven scientific fact. As advanced by Darwin himself (not as distorted by atheists pretending to be scientists) evolution does not prove anything about God’s existence one way or the other but it does prove that Genesis is a not a science textbook. Evolution does not say anything about the Nadur Carnival unless you are suggesting that those vulgarities go some way to prove our descent from monkeys.

Hats off to Einstein when he is talking about mathematics or physics. When he diverges into non-scientific subjects such as theology, his opinion counts as zilch and it is no better than that of the next man. Much more important, I do not attach any importance to your opinion about me since you do not even realize that I never called you, or any one else, an animal.

Stefan Vella

Feb 19th 2010, 16:28

@Kevin Cassar

I doubt Dr Saliba will answer your query with a straight answer just as much he hasn't answered my "what would happen if catholics become a minority" question. Blind faith is after all dogmatic and inherently (though not always) irrational.

It seems that there are still people in Malta that subscribe to this cliche - The believer who acts in the name of God is immune to the laws which would punish an infidel for the same act.
This blog reminds me of Animal Farm and G. Orwell's famous quote - "all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others". Is the Church, 1984's Big Brother?

C Borg

Feb 19th 2010, 16:04

I just came from the carnival in venice and saw many people dressed as nuns and priests. They didnt seem to have a problem with this in Italy, home of the Pope. Why do we?

Kevin Cassar

Feb 19th 2010, 15:40

@ Dr Francis Saliba and all offended Catholics

I am baffled by your arguments about the law and such. You seem to forget (or better ignore) that according to your beliefs - Jesus himself broke the law (blasphemy) and was tortured and killed for it. It's also ironic that an atheist like me agrees that the law of blasphemy that Jesus was accused of in the Bible was an ass. Yet you are all attacking with the premise that since it's against the law it does not matter if it's right or wrong, you have to abide to it. Well I think otherwise and apparently Jesus did too! If Jesus abided by the law, he would not have died "for your sins" and we would not be having any discussions on "sacred" things now would we?

Daniel Vella

Feb 19th 2010, 15:38

@ Dr. Saliba
You are 100% correct, but I was using the scientific definition of "theory"

Personally (yes, personal musings), I do not see anything wrong with people dressing as nuns, as long as no one got physically hurt. But that is only a personal opinion, and I respect your position on the matter. I would never dress as a nun or Jesus Christ or any other religious figures myself, mainly because I like to be original and funny

Kevin Cassar

Feb 19th 2010, 15:32

@ Dr Francis Saliba

"The individual who, on his own authority, decides that a law is evil has no right to expect that he be exempted from the punishment prescribed by that law as long as that law remains on the statute book. When practicing Christianity was considered (wrongly) to be a seditious crime against the state those early Christians did not pretend to be exempted from the rigours of the law – they suffered martyrdom. "

That's exactly what I said!!! You only added the fact that they were wrongly accused of a crime, which I agree with too. But in saying that you have also acknowledged that it's ok to break a wrong law with the premise that you will suffer the consequences. Agreed. In fact it is those consequences, that when summed up in time and accumulated, initiate the process of removal of wrong laws or their adjustment.

Robert Agius

Feb 19th 2010, 15:13

@ Dr Saliba

My musings reflect MY personal wondering, i do not presume to know the truth, most religious institutions seem to presume that at expense of those who tend to disagree with them.

I never state they should not be punished by law cause i don't happen to agree with it. Only that I respect them more than any outdated laws, since its only because of their like that any change is likely to come by.

Re Jesus being framed... law abiding citizen?!?! Unfortunately not a Roman one it seems.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 19th 2010, 15:09

@DanielVella

You are right that people, fashions and laws change. That does not mean that those who break a law on the statute book have any right to expect immunity from prosecution and punishment relying on their expectation of a future change of the law.

You are also right about heliocentrism meaning the sun at the center of our solar system, not the whole universe. You are wrong when you refer to heliocentrism as a factual theory. It cannot be both at the same time. It was an unproven (but correct) theory in Galileo’s time but nowadays it is a proven scientific fact. At the time of Galileo the Church did not silence the heliocentrists from discussing and promoting their theory inside academic circles. Galileo was forbidden from promoting the Copernican theory outside academic circles as if it were an already proven scientific fact. Galileo accepted this at the time but later broke his promise and ridiculed the pope. It was this breach of promise that earned him the condemnation of the Inquisition. The other scientists and theologians continued to discuss the theory without any censure.

A.Grech

Feb 19th 2010, 14:57

To Francis Saliba and the like:
I used polite terms to address you all before, yet i was judged, ridiculed and called an animal by some of you <M. Cassar - On the other hand a human being without a religion is more like a cat, an ant or mosquitoes>.
Saliba, , I wonder what you think about the theory of evolution? If you are a real christian you should be humble enough not to impose on others, Free Will remember.

Now, a few words on religion by one who is considered by most a genius:

"The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weakness, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still purely primitive, legends which are nevertheless pretty childish." Albert Einstein in a letter to philosopher Erik Gutkind.

Ask yourselfs, would the world have progressed with such narrow minded mentality as yours? when using herbs was considered witchcraft?

I stress that my main point is that such acts as dressing up at carnival should not ruin a person's life by making these acts a crime.

The above was caused by your continuous mudslinging, HOW DARE YOU CALL ME AN ANIMAL!

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 19th 2010, 14:34

@Kevin Cassar

The individual who, on his own authority, decides that a law is evil has no right to expect that he be exempted from the punishment prescribed by that law as long as that law remains on the statute book. When practicing Christianity was considered (wrongly) to be a seditious crime against the state those early Christians did not pretend to be exempted from the rigours of the law – they suffered martyrdom.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 19th 2010, 13:46

@Robert Agius

It is precisely because not everyone is a law-abiding citizen that laws are necessary, why laws should be enforced and why individuals cannot be allowed to decide for themselves and to pick and choose which laws to obey and which to defy. Those who break laws have no right to expect that they be placed above the law and to be freed from the “fear and punishment” that the laws prescribe. You are wrong to presume that your personal musings (for example “I guess” “perhaps” “I wonder” and “I have a feeling”) reflect those of Jesus and the rest of the community. And, since you ask me, yes, Jesus was a law-abiding citizen who was framed by the leaders of the Jews as a political rebel and a threat to the Roman emperor and the empire.

Stefan Vella

Feb 19th 2010, 13:41

Well I tried to keep the discussion a bit light-hearted but it seems that I failed miserably.

A few points to ponder:-
1. Offense is subjective to the individual - you cannot regulate it without discrimination. We can and should however regulate hatred and violence which are a different kettle of fish.
2. Ridicule or the feeling of being ridiculed stems only from your feelings of insecurity. Secure assertive persons rarely feel ridiculed - they will usually laugh it off.
3. A policeman/soldier outfit denotes civil authority and in the spirit of public security, it is advisable to disallow anyone from mimicking a public officer.
4. Religious personalities are not deemed figures of authority by everyone. They are important to varying degrees for Roman Catholics. To the rest of us, nuns and priests etc are just common people and hence no protection under any law is required or even necessary.
5. Is it advisable to deny rights to minorities because "majority rules!"? What happens to the majority when and/or if it becomes a minority?

Discuss!

Daniel Vella

Feb 19th 2010, 13:04

@Dr Saliba

People change, languages change, fashion changes. The people's mentality also change. Laws must change with them.

Before the American Civil War, slavery was legal in America. "black" people could not marry "white" people. If the laws never change then we'd still be living in the middle ages.
Granted there is a Roman Catholic majority in Malta, but the other religions are slowly gaining ground (even atheism is on the increase - even though it is NOT a religion).

@ Mr. Grainger
I must correct you on this one, forgive me. The sun is at the center of our solar system, not the Universe. Heliocentrism is the factual theory that the Earth revolves/orbits around the sun, and not vice versa. Your point about the church trying to silence Galileo still holds. regardless.

Kevin Cassar

Feb 19th 2010, 11:56

It is good to abide by the laws when the laws are good, and every person has moral standards which determine the way he/she lives. So if a law is "evil" or wrong, a person would not abide by it. Yes he/she may be prosecuted and punished for it but it would not prove him wrong. If all people abided by all laws irrespective of morals, then we would not have Christianity. Need I remind you that in the time of Nero it was illegal to be a christian and many were prosecuted and even died for breaking that law. If everyone was as some of you say "a law abiding citizen" then Christianity would be dead and we would not be having this argument. Think about that for a while but above all - just think!

Robert Agius

Feb 19th 2010, 11:17

@Dr Saliba

If only law abiding citizens existed I guess democracy would have never prevailed. Please keep that in mind. I do not mean that people should do whatever they like, but rather, when there is something that they find is not right, fight against it (and carnival is a pretty diplomatic way to do it i reckon). Nothing changes by simply being obedient. Only keeping old standards, of course this might suit you, but not others). Does it occur to you that most of the hatred, ridiculing of religion stems from oppression (and repression)? Once it does not become a power struggle people might not find anything amusing in dressing up in such manners. Or should we use fear and punishment to control people? Hey, perhaps the church will be more respected if it tried not to shove its agenda down everyone's throat!!! I have a feeling that its scared that it will lose its prestigious place in society however. I wonder what Jesus would have had to say about it.

Oh yeah, talking about Jesus! Was he a law abiding citizen?

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 19th 2010, 10:41

@Robert Agius

Those who obey the law are called “law abiding citizens” not “puppets”. They obey laws, whether they like them or not, as long as they remain in force.

This is not a question of a few people being singled out for preferential treatment. It is a question of some uniforms e.g. police, army and ecclesiastical garments and objects connected with the official state religion being treated with respect and given the protection of the law. This is necessary because not all people at all times can be relied upon to behave decently and not giving offence.

I have not said “ALL nuns, monks etc have been offended”. I have said that many other people apart from that category have been offended. Dressing up for carnival can be, and it often is, good clean civilized fun but it can also be deliberately obscene, drunkenly orgiastic and intended deliberately to hurt, to offend and to ridicule.

Stefan Vella

Feb 19th 2010, 10:11

@ Martin Cassar

For you information, liberals do not support genocide. To be honest, no sane person of any creed, race or political inclination supports genocide. I do not get your challenge!
Also as a liberal I have no anti-semitic views. I personally tend to see the world in a globalised perspective - potentially one world, one nation, one language, etc

@Dr Saliba

Attributing emotions on an internet blog rarely works in the intended way due to the nature of the blog itself but by all means continue to think I'm raging at the law. In the end whether the law changes or not, we both call said law an ass if it's not in our favour and try to change it to boot.
We're not that different - dear doctor, I might even call you a fellow "liberal".

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 19th 2010, 09:52

@Kevin Cassar

Your comment is neither reasonable nor funny. You may have been created in the image of God but that does not mean that you always act according to that ideal. Wearing your ordinary clothes does not mock Christ and does not break any law. The same cannot be said for a Carnival costume mocking the Risen Christ in a conscious act of obscene disrespect towards Christ, the law and the state religion. When you stoop to that level of contempt for common decency the police would take the appropriate steps - without prompting from me - so that you will be punished according to law not by stoning in public.

Robert Agius

Feb 19th 2010, 09:49

@Martin Cassar

What does dressing up for carnival have to do with overtly criticizing the Holocaust????

Let me tell you something though, it does offend me that from all genocides throughout history (and if you look up you will be quite impressed at how many have happened, especially after WW2 when mankind stated 'never again') its always the Jews that have to be pitied most (do not even dare try to say that i do not feel sorry for them just in case you even try pull that one off). While the the ones happening at this moment (or fairly recently) in time have gone, or go silent.

I say get your head out of the past and lets see how to solve the present situations.

Do you read Shakespear? there are a few line that might shock you...

Robert Agius

Feb 19th 2010, 09:33

@Dr Saliba

I am no puppet of the law, if the law is outdated, it should be changed.

No there again, I was just saying that you can't single out a few people and say they are special so you can't wear their costume. Better wording this time?

Ps. After all aren't you claiming that ALL nuns, monks etc. have been offended? I mean i hope there are a few who know how to take a joke. Dressing up for carnival does not always imply mockery of certain people either btw.

Christopher Grainger

Feb 19th 2010, 07:07

Galileo's championing of Copernicanism was controversial within his lifetime, when a large majority of philosophers and astronomers still subscribed (at least outwardly) to the geocentric view that the Earth is at the centre of the universe. After 1610, when he began publicly supporting the heliocentric view, which placed the Sun at the centre of the universe, he met with bitter opposition from some philosophers and clerics, and two of the latter eventually denounced him to the Roman Inquisition early in 1615.
The Catholic Church nevertheless condemned heliocentrism as "false and contrary to Scripture" in February 1616,and Galileo was warned to abandon his support for it—which he promised to do. When he later defended his views in his most famous work, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, published in 1632, he was tried by the Inquisition, found "vehemently suspect of heresy," forced to recant, and spent the rest of his life under house arrest.

No further comment required.

Matin Cassar

Feb 19th 2010, 04:10

@ liberals

To all liberals favoring or permitting the unlimited freedom of actions including the mockery of the 2000 + years old Roman Catholic Church and the Catholic religion.
Would you take the challenge to overtly criticize the Holocaust (60 + years old) , or dare to write few lines that may appears to some peoples as Anti-Semitism? Personally I wouldn’t take such challenge not to end up behind bars!

Laws exists every where including jungles. Wake up and smell the coffee!

Kevin Cassar

Feb 19th 2010, 01:35

@ Dr Francis Saliba

Well you know what? According to you, this carnival I have broken the law and dressed up as God. Since you say that "God made us in his own image", by being myself I was God's image. Please inform the authorities so you can arrest me and maybe stone me in public.

Charles Grixti

Feb 18th 2010, 23:41

The definite book to stop all this holy hypocritical nonsense is
"God is not Great - How Religion poisons everything", by Christopher Htichens.

Having bought this book I cannot put it down, no less because of the Mr. Hitchens knowledge of his subject and how he addresses issues with the major (and even minor) religions and logically proves that they are all, without exception, man-made and why they came into existence in the first place. He also hits on many of the things that have bothered me about religion, such the indoctrination of children, the moral and ethical contradictions, quests for temporal and material wealth and more.

As one Jesuit said, "Give me the child until he is 10 and I will give you the man". By the way, Hitchens tackles all the major religions not just the Christian, making this book an eye-opener for every person on every continent on earth.

Adrienne Borg

Feb 18th 2010, 20:43

Being a free and democratic country doesn't mean we throw away all our religious pride. If Malta decides to be the only country which remains faithful to its religion, then let it be. People know they shouldn't dress up as any religious figures, however it seems they do it on purpose. Once you live in a country, you should respct the rules and culture. If you don't like it, just leave.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 18th 2010, 19:13

@Stefan Vella

I said “LEGITIMATE means at my disposal”. Please note also that you ARE impotently raging and shaking your fists at the present law, because you expect that the police should not enforce that law and because you idly speculate about an imminent future non-Catholic majority. That is why I reject your advice that I should be “fighting this battle” on your side.

Stefan Vella

Feb 18th 2010, 18:16

@J. farrugia

I guess I am one of the "pseudo-liberals" in your post but I would like to humbly point out that I am at least one google plex far away from the hippie left. I will gladly accept wanna-be liberal capitalist.

Getting to the gist of your posts, I am assuming that you are not acquainted with many right wing liberals. We don't ever get offended and will laugh with you at our expense. Many times we are probably cracking the jokes ourselves.
I would humbly suggest that a strong faith does not get offended by the frolicking of us inferior (sic) people. However, I would definately sympathise if you took offence to my nudity - I am no Brad Pitt!

Stefan Vella

Feb 18th 2010, 17:46

I and others here, are only doing what you yourself have declared - quote "I will also use all legitimate means at my disposal to have it repealed." Actually our way is pretty mild compared to your "any means at my disposal". We just go to Nadur, have a few drinks, dress as nuns etc and have a laugh at ourselves and the world in general for taking everything so seriously for 364 days.

I am not impotent in front of the law as it stands now. Laws have changed since time immemorial and will change again. What I am trying to convey is that I want laws that protect the minorities as well.
To be honest you should be fighting this battle by my side - if you are not convinced, I suggest checking the slide in number of Christians on this island. If by some freak of nature (sic), you actually become a minority one day, you will thank me and my ilk for having fought to protect your way of life as well.

in conclusion, life's not worth living with so much stress. Have a laugh!

pat camilleri

Feb 18th 2010, 17:42

In my time carnival was fun, making original costumes, and putting an effort into dressing up .We admired each others costumes , and enjoyed the whole affaire. After reading the comments in this blogg,I have come to the conclusion, that perhaps this is a conspiracy by minorities to destabilise society.Dr Saliba and Mr Farrugia, thank you for your eloquent comments,very much to the point, and you speak for me and a great many people. It is always so refreshing to read comments made by people who have a command of English and who can actually spell correctly. Well done Sirs.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 18th 2010, 17:21

@Daniel Vella

What makes you think that a doctor of medicine would approve vulgar indecent merriment during Carnival, insulting the religious sentiments of others, that revellers should stoop to pickling their brain in alcohol to have some fun and to flout the law?

clare spiteri

Feb 18th 2010, 17:19

Well put Dr Saliba and Mr Farrugia.Thank God ,so far ,the law on these islands does not pander to minorities, be they non catholic minorities or others. These people seem to have a need to proclaim that they are not catholic. Who cares really?You can believe in anything you wish as far as I am concerned, as long as you do not offend the Catholic Church , as that would be breaking the law here, and if you break the law of the land, then you must be punished.

margaret cooke

Feb 18th 2010, 17:04

I was brought up tp believe that if you said or did something which you knew upset somebody, then you refrained from doing. Just good manners.When those men dressed up as nuns they were out to offend people who hold nuns in great esteem.Shocking manners.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 18th 2010, 16:50

@Stefan Vella

Your question is based on a hypothetical situation that does not exist and is unlikely to come into existence during my lifetime. WHEN AND IF your imaginary new non-Catholic majority tears down the law as it now stands, by legitimate means, I will then, BUT ONLY THEN, obey your imaginary law. I will also use all legitimate means at my disposal to have it repealed.

I am not offended and I do not even object to your attempt to offend me personally in your impotent rage at the law as it stands today. I would be offended if the forces of law and order look the other way when the laws of the landed are being flouted because the existing laws do not suit you.

Daniel Vella

Feb 18th 2010, 16:34

@Stefan Vella
I too was shocked at the fact that a "Dr" was saying those things...

@J Farrugia
Just listen to yourself...Judging from your comments I would take you to be one of those fundamentalists who thinks that atheists have no moral ground whatsoever. Are you really comparing a person with his/her birthday suit to two guys wearing a nun's costume in Carnival? As it has been said here, religion is a man-made construct... It should not rise above the law

F. Zahra

Feb 18th 2010, 16:28

Who said that the police officers are going to take criminal action against those 2 persons wearing as nuns. What I see in this picture is only police officers speaking to two other persons wearing a carnival costume. What is wrong with that? By the way, I like the police officer wih the decorated cap.

J Farrugia

Feb 18th 2010, 14:28

How convenient of all these pseudo liberals to say that the clock has stopped in 1800. They demand the right to attack the catholics but then woe betide those who dare to stop them. That's liberalism for you. These are just dust of the earth who want to stiffle our freedom of speech yet they bellow like a mad bull if you stop them from horrific blasphemies or vulgarities against women. Is this freedom? No of course not. This is just the leftist anarchy working at destabilising civil society. I have yet to see one of these pseudo liberals going out NAKED as a jaybird and then we will see the reaction to such incivility. We will remain constant to our principles that you wont touch sacred things be they Catholic, hindu, muslim, judaic or anysuch other religion. If you want to ridicule something, try ridiculing yourselves. I will have a laugh at your expense.

Stefan Vella

Feb 18th 2010, 13:42

Same old same old with the exception of one post by Dr Saliba where in a few words he tells us, non-Christians, that Maltese law protects his religion in favour of our basic human rights.
Normally I would try to ignore such a statement but I find it difficult to let this go seeing that the learned man has a "Dr" before his name and hence is an educated man. Quick question for you Dr Saliba:-
The time will come, when catholics are no longer the majority and the new non-catholic majority will tear that law, defining Roman Catholic as the state religion, from our constitution. As a minority will you then accept the new law and accept the frolicking nuns, priests and JC's in the Nadur carnival with no protest or will you like us call the law an ass?

By the way, you have every right to get offended, but you have NO right to stop me from offending you if you get my drift. As individuals, we cannot always agree and just because you have faith does not mean that your moral code is superior - it's just different.

Ronald Cauchi

Feb 18th 2010, 13:22

I have just come back from venice having taken a picture of myself kissing a Bishop's ring in the middle of Piazza san Marco. It was all in good fun and no one thought it was the slightest bit offensive. But of course the Italians arent as good catholics as people are here. How pathetic can we get?

Daniel Vella

Feb 18th 2010, 12:28

Kudos on the wonderful costumes! The tall guy's expression made me laugh, and it's good to see that even the policemen had the same sense of humor.

@Jens Buedinger
I agree with you completely! I'm not sure whether I should laugh or cry at the sheer hypocricy of some people in this country.

I am actually quite happy however that, judging from these comments, the ratio of fundies vs liberals is finally tipping over to 'our side'

Joe Fenech

Feb 18th 2010, 11:58

So are these going to be arraigned to? Come on, let's stop the nonsense for nun's sake!

Jens Buedinger

Feb 18th 2010, 10:39

I find it ridiculous that such offences are even contemplated by the law. We really can't point any fingers anymore. We've become the mockery of western civilisation. When there was the case of the dutch cartoonist supposidly vilifying muhammed we all pointed our fingers at the arabs saying how closed minded and backwards they were for taking it so badly, but were not far from biggotry and close mindedness either...

Darren Galea

Feb 18th 2010, 08:50

I don't get it. If I dress up us a celibate woman in funny garments, I get arrested. If I dress up as Wotan or Thor, they applaud me for my appealing costume.

Funny thing, this opression.

Mark Busuttil

Feb 18th 2010, 08:45

So it's OK to dress up as a rabbi, an imam, or a hindu priest then? Of course one cannot dress up as Moha***** or else "they" will run rampage through the streets. You see? The asterisks are my own, lest TOM building is burnt to the ground in retribution.
So many people offended by utterly insignificant and irrelevant things nowadays. We must be the laughing stock of the civilized world - our govmnt & church (I use the words together since the term "secular" is blasphemy here!) needs to get their heads out of the sand and wake up and smell the coffee!
Oh, I give up. Go ahead with this arrogant belief that YOUR religion is better than anybody else's.

Joe E Galea

Feb 18th 2010, 08:08

These nuns are part of the convent of The Sister of Perpetual Indulgence :)

Karl Farrugia

Feb 18th 2010, 04:39

I've recently been feeling that we really are oppressed in this country. I am seriously thinking of moving to a more liberal society, like Iran or China.

Joe Xuereb

Feb 18th 2010, 01:14

In London UK, men dressing up as nuns is not news. All year round - not Carnival time - an AgitProp group of homosexual(?) men regularly dress up as nuns to draw attention to, among other things, sexual intolerance. This came years before the disclosure of the abuse of children within the Church, so that now, in Britain at least, men dressing up in nun drag is more apt/popular than ever. Of course the UK is not Malta. In UK an old man/crippled old woman would never, ever, give up his/her seat on a bus or Metro if a person of the cloth, man or woman, get on 'and they look ever so worn out with toil'.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisters_of_Perpetual_Indulgence

http://www.thesisters.org/

Personally, I think these guys dressed as nuns had no political agenda on their mind. They may have been familiar with pictures showing the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in London or the USA and decided to go for the costume. Nothing sinister or disrespectful. It is only Carnival. Lighten up and get over it. You've only one life. Enjoy the guffaws. It's healthy and good for you and helps keep your blood pressure under control. Altogether now!!

j grech

Feb 18th 2010, 00:57

has malta got stuck in a time warp? at easter last year there was a brilliant display of the crusifiction and of jesus carrying his cross here in the village, and at christmas time all over the world children and adults dress up for the nativity play dressed as joseph mary and baby jesus, many years ago in the 70s i could not understand why the maltese woman had to wear full sleeves and cover her head as she went to mass, also no meat on fridays, and yet in the uk we were not restricted to this practice,also we are allowed to dress as nuns, monks, preists,cardinals whatever so why is a catholic church in one country different to another? i fear this is not gods word here but the word of your stuffy stuck in a time warp clergymen no wonder the churches look so empty half the time , i aim not to offend i speak as a person who was raised a good catholic but one who has a sense of humour,

Christopher Grainger

Feb 17th 2010, 23:16

joseph cachia

I don't recall mentioning xenophobia,
is that what floats your boat ?
Seems to be quite a few Maltese nationals passing less that favorable comment on the mindset behind this incident, and the attempted censorship of Nadur bands/lyrics, so whilst a direct comparison with less benign theocracies doesn't stand the test, an observation that contradicts you view does.

Welcome to Europe.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 17th 2010, 22:58

@Robert Agius

What your first comment stated glibly was that the police attempt to maintain law and order at the Nadur carnival would, in your estimate, be offensive to 99.9% of the world population, past and present. Your second comment elaborates that comment irrelevantly into something different, namely, “99.9 % of the worldwide population is not a Nun, priest, monk etc”. You do not appreciate that those carnival excesses would be giving offence not only to nuns, priests monks etc but to a much wider audience consisting of decent people who do not jettison their civil deportment during carnival days, who would be continue to be respectful towards the feelings and religious sentiments of others and who enjoy their carnival within the law. I do not claim presumptuously that I am 100% certain about that figure as a percentage of the world population, past and present, exactly to the nearest 0.1%. You are perfectly entitled not to be similarly circumspect – but that would be your funeral, not mine.

G.Micallef

Feb 17th 2010, 22:43

@Clive Gerada

Il-veru Pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse! Xott mill-ideat u fqir fil-hsieb tieghu! Il-hajja religjuza tirraprezenta il-Konsagrazzjoni lejn Alla. Mela jekk naccettaw li l-ilbies religjuz huwa karnivalesk inkunu qed nghidu li dak li jirraprezentaw ir-religjuzi huwa karnivalesk! X'redikologani!

G.Micallef

Feb 17th 2010, 22:39

@A. Cutajar

Just for precision's sake, in English we say: "Just by way of clarificaition: That's an Assistant Commisioner and not just a Policeman! " and not: "Just by way of clarificaition: That's a Assistant Commisioner and not just a Policeman! "

Clive Gerada

Feb 17th 2010, 20:08

Well done for dressing up as nuns! I am in your favour!!!!! carnival is always carnival :D

J. Grima

Feb 17th 2010, 19:55

Looks like the Calendar has stuck to the 1800's in Malta.....what's next the Inquisitor being re-instated to hand out the death sentence to any one who dares say any blasphemies? What a joke this country is turning out to be.....surely time hasn't actually let us progress has it?

James De Giorgio

Feb 17th 2010, 19:41

That's one tall nun!!!

Claire Busuttil

Feb 17th 2010, 19:35

U ejja come on!??!?! is this serious?? is it really against the law to wear any ecclesiastical habits or vestments !?!?!??!?!

The church in Malta is only there to dictate on citizens!!! shame!"!

Andrea Portelli

Feb 17th 2010, 19:28

lol all this reminds me of the state-religion disputes of the 20's and 60's.


Will the Curia be eventually imposing excommunication on this too?

Robert Agius

Feb 17th 2010, 19:10

@Dr Saliba

Presumptuous? I'm 100% sure that 99.9 % of the worldwide population is not a Nun, priest, monk etc. Or do you have any doubts about that? You seem to have missed the point (perharps deliberately?!).

That's right be should abide by the law and pity those religious sentimentalists like they are some little kids who have been picked upon. Blasphemy is an all out offense to religious sentiment not dressing up for carnival!!!!!! But hey, good luck with that one.

D Phillips

Feb 17th 2010, 19:07

Dr Francis Saliba,
The point being that neither your religious sentiments, my religious sentiments nor anyone elses religious sentiments should need legal protection. The idea is preposterous.
Why should your religious belief be protected by the law as against anyone elses belief in anything whether a religious belief or not. The law in this instance is an ass.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 17th 2010, 18:44

@Robert Agius

Don’t you feel that it is just a teeny weeny bit presumptuous to assume that you are the mouthpiece for 99.9% of the world population not to mention the millions “that passed away”? A reasonable alternative to banning carnival would be to hold a decent carnival within the limits imposed by the law. Christian love does not enter into it at all. The law must not be deliberately flouted without incurring the punishment prescribed for that abuse by miscreants who have no respect for it and for the religious sentiments of others.

Sara Fenech

Feb 17th 2010, 18:33

Wow, the police officer in the middle is very handsome. This is a great picture that we do not usually see. They say that every picture tells a story and this one is a good example. When I look at this picture I see police officers doing their duty in a civilised manner as it should be. I will definately be keeping a copy of this picture.

M. Cassar

Feb 17th 2010, 18:29

@ Kevin Cassar
Sir, the Book in question isn’t actually a book of law or an ordinary book of medicine. It’s the Bible. The Book of God. You have the right to accept or ignore the Book of God, to believe or disbelieve the Book of God. You may also have all right to overtly say that God doesn’t exist, however such claim doesn’t hold water and will only be accepted if you claim your good-self creation! Have you?

----------------
Some peoples down here gave self-right to mock and make fun of religions.
Well, to subscribe to a religion doesn’t actually adds a minus or plus to the religion. On the other hand a human being without a religion is more like a cat, an ant or mosquitoes. And here is the difference between a human being and mosquitoes!

D Phillips

Feb 17th 2010, 18:26

In a supposedly civilised western democracy, wanting to criminalise a person for dressing up or having a joke at someones elses expense is an incredible idea.

Robert Agius

Feb 17th 2010, 18:14

@Dr Saliba and Monica Vella

But it seems OK to be offensive to the 99.9% of the worlwide population (including those that passed away). Why just not ban carnival?

perfect....nothing like christian love!

Andrew Camilleri

Feb 17th 2010, 18:11

@Minica Vella: the Chief Justice of the Maltese courts has decided that dressing up as a nun is not against the law. So are you some mullah to decide otherwise? As for your asking for punishment, well that's not very Christian of you! Or are you advocating the return of the inquisition??

monica vella

Feb 17th 2010, 17:53

Quite right Dr Saliba.Many of the comments on this blogg are most offensive to me.It is an offence to insult the Religion of these islandsand impersonate members of the clergy.These people have decided to break the law and impersonate nuns.That constitutes an offence against my religion , which is Holy, Roman Catholic Church.Thus the perpertrators should be warned and if necessary punished. Thank you officers.

Kevin Cassar

Feb 17th 2010, 17:41

@ M Cassar

"What’s wrong for being a fundamentalist?

Oxford dictionary definition to fundamentalist says: strict adherence to any set of basic ideas or principles.
If you were a lawyer or a doctor and in your practice you stick to the medical books or books of laws, is this something bad? If you were a university student and you stick to the book of the university, is this something bad? "

Yes it is and you inadvertently showed it by your example. I'd be very afraid to be treated by a doctor that stuck to his book. This would mean that he is "stuck" with outdated medical practice and medicine and would have no idea what to do with new viruses or diseases. Same thing with a lawyer. Imagine the embarrassment of a lawyer who stuck to his book, and failed to progress to a recent change in law. Fundamentalism is wrong whichever way you look at it.

R.Gauci

Feb 17th 2010, 17:24

Allura x'inhi l-piena ghal min jinqabad jilbes ta' Soru ??!! Xaghar klawsura tghid??!! :)

Joseph A Borg

Feb 17th 2010, 17:11

@ D Galea:

"Ma ghandhom jintuzaw abiti sagri fil-Karnival."
il-Ġermanja lil Merkel neżżawwha arwiena ħuta fuq karru trijonfali! Il-karnival huwa festa sagra tal-popolin fejn kollox jiġi ta' taħt fuq. Is-sagru jsir profan u l-profan isir sagru. Tridu tħassru kollox bil-moħħ fqir tagħkom.

"B'liema mod taghmel uzu minn affarijiet li ghandhom x'jaqsmu ma' Alla biex iddahhak u
twaqqa ghac-cajt."

Billi tixtri jew tħit libsa bħal tas-sorijiet u tilbisha lest ghal ftit briju. Naħseb għmlu iktar jagħmlu ħsara lill immaġni t'alla dawk is-sorijiet u qassisin li jiżvijaw mid-dover tagħhom… u ifimni…

Neil Sant

Feb 17th 2010, 17:04

@ Kenneth Cassar. I hope you're right. The sooner this country matures, the sooner we can start being taken seriously by our European brothers and sisters. It's going to take some more time before the bony grip of the church on this country is released. I look forward to a future where people can believe what they want without telling others what to believe or not to believe.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 17th 2010, 16:38

@Joe Cassar

I am sorry that you feel offended my by comments but please realize that I am not obliged under any law to make obeisance to your “liberal sentiments” whatever they are. On the other hand, you are obliged by the law of the land not to offend the religion of the state. Therefore I am not going to waste my time waiting for the police to pay any attention to your request. I would advise you also not to waste your time and the time of our overworked police trying to maintain some semblance of law, order and civil conduct from those who think that their “liberal sentiments” place them above the law.

Andrew Camilleri

Feb 17th 2010, 16:35

Should we warn the Allied forces in Afghanistan that Malta is in Europe and not part of the Taliban? We don't want them coming here by mistake hunting down the Taliban, do we?

Emma Xerri

Feb 17th 2010, 16:14

@Kenneth Cassar

Amen to that!

It is about time we starting making fun of religion - any religion, after all they have been making fun and fools of us unchecked for untold centuries now.

George Darmanin

Feb 17th 2010, 16:08

My opinion is that it is wrong to use religious wear for carnival. Great carnivals such as Rio Brazil, Venice etc... are great without such direct religious offences.
However this is just my opinion.
What is not just an opinion is the fact that it is not just Malta that has its particular way of doing things.
In UK, British Airways dismissed an employee for wearing a pendant which happened to be a cross. There was no regulation not to wear any pendant, but not to wear a cross. It is not against the regulations to wear the sign of baphomet though.
In Germany a woman who was registering for work had her benefits stopped because she refused a job as a prostitute in a legal brothel.
These are a few, there sure are many more.
There is nothing wrong in expressing differing opionions but I just can't stand it when people do not just criticise the act but go further and try to mock their own country.

Charles Alamango

Feb 17th 2010, 15:50

This is becoming really hilarious!!!!!!

I'm sure the police have much more important and needed presence on other matters!!

M. Cassar

Feb 17th 2010, 15:40

Freedom of expressions? Where does it exist please?
I sometimes fail to comprehend people’s appreciation of democracy and freedom of expression. Absolute democracy and absolute freedom of expression never existed anywhere in the world [including Malta] at any given point of time. All democracies have fangs for self-protection and to protect that entire society. If anybody think otherwise then dwelling in illusion I am afraid! Having said that, I ask, why do we have laws that prohibit circulation of pornography materials? Or why do we have Anti-Semitism laws? Can some peoples choose to be treacherousness to their country and be left scot-free?
Perhaps our comments too pass through the editor of timesofmalta.com for scrutiny and censorship if necessary. Again what’s wrong with this?

Kenneth Cassar

Feb 17th 2010, 15:23

@ Everyone:

Don't worry. Religious fundamentalists in Malta are a dying breed. So let them stamp their feet to their heart's content. The first to go is the censorship law (its a matter of when, not if). More will follow, slowly but surely.

victor pulis

Feb 17th 2010, 15:23

This is getting to be a habit!

M.Caruana

Feb 17th 2010, 15:18

Something is amiss here, Dear Commissioner of Police. You are not following previous judgements. Please read on and instruct your "boys" to act accordingly.

Just for the record, this period last year,

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091023/local/nadur-carnival-nuns-did-not-vilify-religion

"Chief Justice de Gaetano ruled that the “nuns” did not vilify the Roman Catholic religion. Nuns, he said, were not ministers of the Catholic religion because according to Canon law, ministers of the church were priests or deacons."

J. Scerri

Feb 17th 2010, 14:44

Very hilarious picture. So great that should be included in the 2010 annual book.


To All Puritans writing here :

So what you suggest now, shall they arrest these 2 persons & throw away the key or even use the INQUISITION law like in the past !!

But I'm still waiting (and won't be amazed if it happens so) for a 'JUDGE' of the Maltese church to go & file a report at the neartest Police Station about this case.
To have an idea, like what happened last year in Gozo, remember ?

a.camilleri

Feb 17th 2010, 14:40

@gerard cassar,why moan about other people who can see the funny side of it !!

A. Grech

Feb 17th 2010, 14:08

I wish time travel existed, i would travel to 2060 and (hopefully still having some investments around) continue living in my beloved country hopefully being a place were such fanatism no longer exists. Such blind conviction stifles the human mind, and most worryingly, interferes with the lifes of others.

Let everyone believe in what they want but not impose on others.

As to the above case, according to law no offence was made as stated in the article:
"Six people who dressed as nuns were acquitted after the court found the simple fact of dressing up as a nun, even if at carnival time, did not, on its own, amount to vilification."

Now if people still feel offended by such a simple costume, instead of shouting murder, they should ask themselves why were they offended, maybe the problem lies within.

A curiosity: To the commentators below who see great offence in the above photo: Do you think that non-catholics, or better said, aetheists and agnostics are bad people? people that should not be trusted? (as the old adage: "dak mażun!")

Joe Anastasi

Feb 17th 2010, 13:55

This is 2010. This is Malta. Malta is in Europe ....... or is it !

This is the sort of intollerance one finds in Muslim countries, not in Western Malta.

Robert Agius

Feb 17th 2010, 13:41

Don't worry people, the true police, nuns and those that think they are like Jesus etc. will be in line with the spirit of carnival for the rest of the 364 days.

Yeah, yeah, i know many people will not take the joke but hey, that's your problem.

...Looks like we're still stuck in dark ages.

M. Cassar

Feb 17th 2010, 13:37

@ Mark-Anthony Fenech
@ D Galea, J Farrugia: Religion is a man-made construct which should be ridiculed as much as politics etc..

Sir, you got all wrong I am afraid. Even to criticize politics is limited. Would you take the challenge to overtly criticize the Holocaust or write few lines that may appears to some peoples as Anti-Semitism? Personally I wouldn’t take such challenge not to end up behind bars!

laurence schembri

Feb 17th 2010, 13:37

What a lovely photo, even the copper is smiling.

Emmanuel Ebejer

Feb 17th 2010, 13:29

@ J Farrugia
Relax, have a Coke and a smile.

M. Cassar

Feb 17th 2010, 13:18

What’s wrong for being a fundamentalist?

Oxford dictionary definition to fundamentalist says: strict adherence to any set of basic ideas or principles.
If you were a lawyer or a doctor and in your practice you stick to the medical books or books of laws, is this something bad? If you were a university student and you stick to the book of the university, is this something bad?

In my humble opinion the real fundamentalists are the ones who think that "their" culture, race or religion is superior to others. The real fundamentalists are the ones who believe that they should defend "their" culture from any change and the ones who are intolerant to other cultures and values.

Ernest Vella

Feb 17th 2010, 13:16

a.camilleri - a free country yes, but which respect other's beliefs were no one has the right to insult others faith, and were freedom is a value and not a tool to insult others

Michael Gatt

Feb 17th 2010, 13:14

Could it be at all possible that, in fact, the nuns are real, while the policemen are in costume?

Kevin Zammit

Feb 17th 2010, 13:08

How more stupid can we be?

So in the case of people with malicious thought to steal or commit a crime dressing up as a trusted person of the cloth ... that's ok nothing wrong can happen there. Dressing up as Buddha, Mohammed that is ok too. Dressing up as JC is a definite NO! Jail sentence and all!

Are we really all here on the rock?

D.Galea

Feb 17th 2010, 13:01

Clever title & Great photo, article is usual but obviously OK.

We are waisting time on such issue on who can dress as what and as not, for me it only makes sense as far as it goes for practical reasons, like dressing UPTO TO A CERTAIN LIKENESS say for i.e a policeman, just in case you don't end up calling the help of one which turns out is not, but for the rest come on, seriously whose going for confession in the middle of Republic street or St.Anne during Carnival!?

Whatever the case it always ends up to the same conclusion, another case where the law-makers/enforcers want to up the statistics.

J.Tonna

Feb 17th 2010, 12:45

Most probably those who dress as religious persons want to bring carnival in Malta to an end and you are helping them. Although carnival is everyday in Malta. We all know that no one can insult anyone, let alone religious or political persons, however some persist in doing it.

Personally I am not interested in Carnival, so if it is stopped it will make no difference to me.

Joss Galea

Feb 17th 2010, 12:29

Allur hawn Malta lanqas Sister Act the musical ma nistaw naghmlu ghax mhux suppost tilbes ta' soru!!!!!
@C. Farrugia...as far as I know you cannot dress up as a police officer either.

joseph cachia

Feb 17th 2010, 12:27

Christopher Grainger

Yes WE MALTESE in MALTA are unique among other countries, and are PROUD to be.
If our habits / actions / regulations / laws are not to your taste, you know what to do,
and are free to follow. (airport)

Joss Galea

Feb 17th 2010, 12:26

Allur hawn Malta lanqas Sister Act the musical ma nistaw naghmlu ghax suppost tilbes ta' soru!!!!!

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 17th 2010, 12:20

@Gerald Cassar

You are so right. People do not dress as nuns because that is humourous or carnivalesque. They do so as a deliberate insult to the Republic's official religion and to those who respect it by an open defiance of the law, on top of which they demand an impunity for their lawlessness. Some comments on this blog prove that without a shadow of a doubt.

Thank God, Malta is a free country but that does not mean that any miscreant is free to break the law!

Andrea Portelli

Feb 17th 2010, 12:13

@ J Farrugia


quit having a cry about it

you probably didn't even attend carnival when this happened or the event last year at nadur lol.

Evarist Saliba

Feb 17th 2010, 12:09

@ Ian Zammit
Rather cheap! That says it all.
@ Those with a sense of humour.
Laughing at oneself is very healthy. Laughing by ridiculing the religious sentiments of others is a different thing altogether.

A.Cutajar

Feb 17th 2010, 11:57

@G.Micallef
@EPMuscat
@Andrea Portelli

Just by way of clarificaition: That's a Assistant Commisioner and not just a Policeman!

Leo Bartolo

Feb 17th 2010, 11:56

For some of these people there is nothing wrong, by wearing a nun's habit during Carnival. In fact Mark Anthony Fenech stated that they can be ridiculed as much as politics. I wonder what would the people of Mark Anthony' like say or do if they are ridiculed and made a laughing stock for the crowd during Carnival time

J S Borg

Feb 17th 2010, 11:56

All of those who are calling Malta, Iran, Yemen and other nomenclature will stop this nonsense when they come across the problems which I was involved in MALTA with one or two muslim university graduates for passing an honest no offence whatsover comment. And for more than an hour I was given every title on earth, telling me that there is only one Allah and no other god. I was very lucky that the police officer was very helpful because he told that he comes across these situations almost every day. Just wait another 15 years when the muslim popultaion will be over 10% and you can say ciaw ciaw to your freedom of speech.

Eric Gahn

Feb 17th 2010, 11:50

@ Gerard Cassar: And why does the sight of nuns not make you laugh? Where you schooled by strict nuns?

Furthermore, since when does one laughing mean ridicule?

L. Dimech

Feb 17th 2010, 11:50

Christopher Grainger - "I have only observed this type of religious / police / freedom of expression interface in the Arab world until now. "

Excuse me for asking Chris, but where did you stay when you were in an Arab country - hidden in a container?? In your dreams this is the way you are treated in an Arab country - just mentioning Islam in a book earns you a Global Death Sentence. I can assure you none of the policemen would be laughing !!!

In Malta, thank God there are still people who have religious values and respect. Tough cheese if you don't agree - and YES we are unique for that in Europe.

What's so blooming funny in dressing up as a nun? unless you're a group doing Sister Act. I do not find it offensive at all, but certainly not funny in the least. I don't burst out laughing when I see a nun passing any other time during the year, there are so many other outfits that are hilarious, even just men dressing up as normal women could be a big joke.

Why do you all have such a chip on your shoulders?

chris finch

Feb 17th 2010, 11:47

Gerrard Cassar, you are right, the sight of a nun does not make one laugh, it even instills fear in some people. But the sight of a tall bloke in glasses dressed as a nun does make one laugh. Its a good job they didn't film 'Nun's on the run' here or even 'Sister Act' Can you imagine the publicity when Robbie Coltrane or Whoopi Goldberg would be arrested.

Maybe the people in the photo could use as their defense the fact that they were actually mean to be dressed up as penguins, but just had unrealistic costumes.

This whole situation is absolutely absurd. They should turn up in court in the costumes to highlight how ridiculous this is.

ftheuma

Feb 17th 2010, 11:46

Two simple questions. Why do people think that religion deserves more respect than anything else in society? Why do some Maltese, in common with some muslims, think that religion is above any sort of jibe?

Charles Vella

Feb 17th 2010, 11:36

U ejja... Mela ghax wiehed jilbes ta soru jew ta qassis fil karnival jispicca arrestat!! MHUX AHJAR IL PULIZIJJA JAHDMU SABIEX JAQBDU LIL DAWK LI JILBSU NORMALI U IBIJGHU ID DROGA LIZ-ZAGHZAGH milli jarrestaw persuni li fl'ahhar tal gurnata ma taw fastitdju lil HADD!!! WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GROW UP?!?! ...answer: NEVER ghax f'Malta il knisja tiddetta u mhux il gvern!! U il knisja ghada tighx b'regoli tal medjuevu li 80% minnhom MA JAMLUX sens u jekk wiehed jimxi bijhom jispicca HAZIN HAFNA!!! Mela oqghodu hemm! What a country ...jaqq! :(

Christian Sciberras

Feb 17th 2010, 11:34

a.camilleri - Yea, I can see your image of a "free country" - with people stabbing each other for a piece of bread.

Joe Cassar

Feb 17th 2010, 11:26

@ Dr Francis Saliba, Mr J Farrugia et al

I am offended by your attitude in this matter. It is very offensive to my liberal sentiments.

How dare you offend me? I will I ask the police to come and arrest you.

John Azzopardi

Feb 17th 2010, 11:24

How could any court find someone guilty of impersonating Jesus Christ, even if the man admitted guilt? There is no evidence! Has anyone got photos of Jesus Christ as evidence? Does anyone know what Jesus Christ looked like? I find this very disturbing because the court should have thrown out the case even if the man admitted simply for lack of evidence. Makes you wonder what this country is coming to. Back tot he dark ages.

j.xerri

Feb 17th 2010, 11:23

Law prohibits people to dress as priests during carnival. But what 'habit' does it probit taking into account that daily wearing of the priest habit(is-suttana) in our streets has been abondoned for a long time now?

Michael Gatt

Feb 17th 2010, 11:23

Could it be at all possible that the nuns are in fact, real, and it's the policemen that are in costume?

Joseph M. Scicluna

Feb 17th 2010, 11:21

@Mark-Anthony Fenech

Try to dress up as Mohammed and you will see the global repercussions!!!!

N Zammit Alamango

Feb 17th 2010, 11:16

@ Mr Farrugia

A fool has various connotations - may i refer you Shakespeare for instance ! Someone who might appear to be fool maybe the wittiest person yet.

Dressing up as some one does not mean you re offending them! Maybe I personally wouldnt dress up as a Nun but I have NO RIGHT to prohibit other from doing so !

I wouldnt mind dressing up as my parents for that matter ! Its carnival my dear ! Where has our sense of humor gone ?

This is in the Bible for god's sake ! Its part of our religion ....

I have nothing to be shameful about ! Its the laws of Malta who ought to be not me !

Are we Europeans ? With things like this i get have some serious doubts!

@ Korsten - that would be very interesting ... but I wouldnt want to imagine the amount of years they would land in prison ...

L. Cutajar

Feb 17th 2010, 11:00

Good job by the police officers. I saw these police officrs taking the particulars of these nuns without causing any unnecessary alarm. That's the way it should be done.

Gerard Cassar

Feb 17th 2010, 10:56

What carnavalesque is there in a nun's dress? Possibly they have no imagination these people. If one laughs it is a show of ridicule nothing more.
There are so many costumes original or absurd. The cinema is full of such costumes. There are so many insects that can be copied giant ants, bees, cockroaches etc. he sight of a nun does not make one laugh.

a.camilleri

Feb 17th 2010, 10:55

malta is supposed to be a free country or island whatever, best about this picture is the policeman in the middle, cant stop grinning myself, he seems to have a good sense of humer for a change, nice to see that.

c farrugia

Feb 17th 2010, 10:47

So one cannot dress upo as a nun or priest it seems. But can one dress up as a police officer?

M Buttigieg

Feb 17th 2010, 10:42

Although i think that many people are being hypocrites, i respect that there are others that might be offended by costumes depicting catholic figures, assuming wearing a costume suggests that the depicted person's activity is a laughing matter.

Personally, maybe because i have been exposed to a good part of the world, I find the inconsistencies in the way we judge far more troubling then a fake priest. However, if we want to go down the morals route, then someone please explain how can we allow Suicide Bomber costumes? .... i'm sure the (rather numerous) people who dressed up in this costume do not actually realise what it means!

In my opinion, there will always be people who are seen as stupid and insensitive in the eyes of others expecially at carnival, where controversy becomes sensational. I think, for the sake of preserving carnival, a blind eye, because it's carnival is appropriate.

After all look at the country with the largest number of roman catholics in the world, their carnival is the best i..... also the most "sinful"..

Mark-Anthony Fenech

Feb 17th 2010, 10:40

@ D Galea, J Farrugia: Religion is a man-made construct which should be ridiculed as much as politics etc.. Religion shouldn't be made to stand on a pedestal..

Kenneth Cassar

Feb 17th 2010, 10:40

@ J Farrugia:

People who take themselves too seriously, should not be taken seriously.

Andrew Gatt

Feb 17th 2010, 10:36

@ J Farrugia............just listen to yourself! Grow up and check your calender - it's 2010 not 1900.

nikita galea

Feb 17th 2010, 10:29

il-pulizija tan nofs huwa assitent kummisjarju, izda nahseb li ghandu bizzejed sens f'mohhu li jaf li b'daqshekk ma huma qed jaghmlu xejn ta barra minn hawn

Joe Cassar

Feb 17th 2010, 10:26

The Basij strike again!

Welocome to Iran-In-The-Med.

Ian Chetcuti

Feb 17th 2010, 10:17

@J. Farrugia
Get a life!

Ian Zammit

Feb 17th 2010, 10:13

This year in Cologne nun costumes were selling for €20 and could be found in every corner. Also i saw one guy dressed as Jesus carrying a large cross. Unsurprisingly the police didn't seem to mind. But Germany isn't a fundamentalist state like Iran, China and Malta.

Dr Francis Saliba

Feb 17th 2010, 10:02

Eventually the penny will drop. Malta has had enough of the deliberate flouting of the law and provocative insulting mockery of the official religion of the Republic simply because some revellers are unable to contain their carnival shenanigans within the limits of a civil respect for the religious sentiments of others and for the law.

tony abela

Feb 17th 2010, 09:34

@ EP Muscat and Andrea Portelli

The Officer in the middle with the grin on his face in not just a Policman, he a Police Officer. According to the decorations on his cap he is a Police Inspector or Supretendent

mick agius

Feb 17th 2010, 09:29

what if the nun's were real ?????

D. Muscat

Feb 17th 2010, 09:25

This year's Nadur carnival was supposed to be a sign of unrest among the progressive youths &amp; a firm stance against the establishment. It all turned out to be a storm in a tea-cup

Incidentally the Risen Christ of last year who hails from Zejtun is a keen festa affecionado. Proper journalistic investigation would show that the motive behind his supposedly sacrilegous action was the intrigue of village festa politics between rival band clubs ... and nothing more. It was NOT an anti-Christian gesture. Period.

Charles Micallef

Feb 17th 2010, 09:17

I like this.......... especially the heading....!

J Farrugia

Feb 17th 2010, 09:17

Nikita if you want to offend your mother and father it's ok for us, but you will not break the laws of the land by insulting catholic priests and nuns. There are many subjects about whom you can be sarcastic. Choose another subject and you wont have to be ashamed of anything. At least be ashamed that you are trying to play the fool. That's truly a shame.

Peter Korsten

Feb 17th 2010, 09:12

One should see the Carnival float they made in Cologne with Berlusconi as the subject. That would be interesting to see in Malta, but with a local politician as the subject. How many years in prison would that land you? :)

G.Micallef

Feb 17th 2010, 09:06

@EPMuscat
@Andrea Portelli

Just by way of clarificaition: That's a Superindentent and not just a Policeman!

D.Galea

Feb 17th 2010, 09:05

Ma ghandhom jintuzaw abiti sagri fil-Karnival. B'liema mod taghmel uzu minn affarijiet li ghandhom x'jaqsmu ma' Alla biex iddahhak u twaqqa ghac-cajt.

John Micallef

Feb 17th 2010, 09:03

Lets hope that no woman wears a costume of the new theatre in Valletta next year, as she will hav to be topless!!


LOL

t farrugia

Feb 17th 2010, 08:56

they look hilarious especially the tall one. the look on his face with those glasses....classic!!!! great costume :) the policemen seem amused especially the one in the middle with a smile on his face :)

Christopher Grainger

Feb 17th 2010, 08:41

I have only observed this type of religious / police / freedom of expression interface in the Arab world until now.
Would I be correct in saying that the Maltese islands are unique amongst European states in this regard ?

EPMuscat

Feb 17th 2010, 08:27

I love the smile on the policeman's face. That's the spirit :-)

Andrea Portelli

Feb 17th 2010, 08:25

lol..... even that policeman in the middle seems as if he is having a laugh about it.

Now ..... I shall prepare for the onslaught of fundamentalist comments which are going to ensue.

N Zammit Alamango

Feb 17th 2010, 08:23

This is absolutely crazy !

If we do not have the chance to be satirical about important figures in our country during carnival - when can we ?

Carnival even going back to medieval times was always about satire and mockery!

If this is the what our laws stipulate - then the purpose of carnival has really and truly come to an end...

what a shame...