So a majority of MPs would like to see the crime of blasphemy removed from the statute books. Not two of the three governing parties of course. It would be enlightened indeed if the Christian Democrats and the orthodox ChristenUnie were in favour of such a step.

But Labour has sided with the opposition on this one, making it more likely that legal changes might eventually be taken.
The Netherlands is currently obsessed with freedom of speech concept, a freedom which is often interpreted as the freedom to insult.
The law, says justice minister and Christian Democrat Ernst Hirsch Ballin, is rarely used, but it does show how upset people can become when their religion is mocked.
Bizarre then that no-one seems to be quoting the blasphemy laws in connection with Geert Wilders, the self-appointed scourge of Islam, who seems to delight in insulting Muslims and calling their holy book a fascist tome.
There is far too much emphasis on religion in this country anyway. Religion taints everything – our schools, tv channels, even how we describe and insult each other.
Yet the majority of the population is not religious and does not go to a church, mosque, synagogue or temple. Blasphemy laws have no place in a modern secular society.