Intolerance in Malta (1958)

From the April 1958 issue of the Socialist Standard

While the Chinese are in process of adopting a Latin alphabet, it is interesting, if not heartbreaking, to note how slow is the progress in the backwaters of civilisation. A recent article in the Times discloses that in Malta only Roman Catholics are permitted to have religious processions; other religions may practise but not demonstrate. “Vilification of the Roman Catholic religion may be punished by up to six months' imprisonment, but for vilification of other religions by up to only three months' imprisonment. One is led to wonder if there is any punishment for the vilification of atheism, Which some mental perverts hold to be a form of religion. Still, progress cannot be held back, and one of these days there will be Socialists even in Malta.

R. M.