David, "You can be pretty sure I'd say that the impetus from this level of scrutiny of subject matter..(Illingworth's action) is not coming from the 'bible basher' segment..or evangelicals.. I'm happy to be proven wrong here"

You might want to have a look at who on OLO has supported both prosecutions - clearly a 'bible basher'.

By the way I'm still waiting for your comment on the behaviour of that bible basher and his best buddy on the porn thread. You also tool Steel Man to task for commenting on one of your mates state of mental health, will you take that mate to task for his comments about Steels Man's spirtual walk?

R0bert

The real problem with Bill Henson was that it took police to long to investigate how someone parading as an artist should have young girls strip for him to make money out of. We have gutless politicians and civil servants who know this is repulsive but don't want to upset people in high places. For a long time catholic priests were protected. Now if you classify something as art or cultural you seem untouchable. You will be charged for photographing a child clothed but allow to satisfy the lusts of others by photographing them naked and in sensual positions as long as you label it art.

Can't help but think this stuff is all part of some larger scheme. Currently the government are all over the internet censorship thing. There's like some sort of overt scare campaign going on. The two posts here on these retarded criminal charges involving the net are just two of many.

You know is REALLY to blame?. The judges. And who do the judges answer too?...

You CANNOT tell me judges are really that stupid. It's political. IT's scary.

PC
You still wont accept that moral standards doen't need religion. The same for religiosity is no guaretee of not abusing laws.

Banjo,

FGM is appalling, it's certainly abuse, and it's definitely unlawful.

But it's also a different issue.

StG,

I don't see how you can blame the judges for any of this. They haven't even been asked their opinion yet. If they ever are, I'm reasonably sure they'll say that the charge is entirely without merit.

Sylvia.

Sylvia,
Yes I am aware that FGM is a different issue, but if you can use the Bill Henson photos as another example of over zealous policing, there should be no reason for me not to use FGM as an example of no action taken where there is clear issues of child abuse.

But my argument is not with you but with the governments. In relation to FGM my bet is that occurrences are not forwarded onto the police for investigation. It seems to me that the governments are selectively not applying the law so as not to upset some ethnic groups. The sad thing is that in not applying the law the governments are condoning the torture and mutilation of Australian female children. I expect a child to die before action is taken.

In relation to the topic of this thread,I hope you are right and the charges are dropped or dismissed. Maybe the police are endeavouring to see just how far they can take this child abuse matter, but that is little comfort to the poor bloke being charged. Some of the mud will stick.