A proposed British law outlawing the incitement of religious hatred got a boost from the House of Commons this week. The body voted Monday 328 to 209 to keep the provision in an anti-terrorism legislation package, which passed the Commons on Tuesday night.

The country's Evangelical Alliance has opposed the law, saying it could limit evangelism. Comedian Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean, Blackadder) also opposed the bill, saying it would limit comedy. But Home Secretary David Blunkett, who proposed the bill, says they should stop worrying. "Jokes and amusing behavior, the criticism of people's religion, the way in which people express their own religion, will not and is not intended to fall foul of these particular measures," he tells the BBC.

The legislation will have a tougher time in the House of Lords. Meanwhile, The Times of London is still campaigning against the religious hatred provision. "The proposal to expand the crime of incitement to race hatred so that it covers religious belief should not become law," the paper editorialized yesterday. "Moral debates between those who hold different beliefs about religion are vital to the progress of man. Passing laws that might blunt the sharp edges of such debate is dangerous and deceiving."

Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry meet with Bush "It's a wonderful story about prayer, about a faith that can sustain people in good times and in bad times," said President Bush Monday, summarizing the tale of Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry, the two Shelter Now workers held by the Taliban for three months (text | audio | video). As Mercer and Curry received a special White House tour, they were greeted by just about everyone, including Vice President ...