Incitement to religious hatred

Once again, folks, new labour has decided to attack free speech. They have announced new laws to 'combat' incitement against religious hatred. Forgive me, but this smacks of opportunism by new labour. Thy invaded Iraq, pissed off a lot of muslims, saw their share of the muslim vote decrease in certain areas, and now to please the muslims: they have decided to introduce this legislation.

I'm utterly disgusted, because religion, unlike race, is an ideology. Whilst i cannot change my black colour( Michael Jackson notably excepted), i can, and have changed my belief in the supernatural. Why do i now need protection as an atheist?
There are sufficient laws to cover incitement against individuals, we do not need new laws to cover superstition.
Liberal democrat MP, Evan Harris, introduced an amendment which would have significantly reduced the risk of damaging free speech. The government voted against it, and imposed a whip on all labour MPs.
This law is unnecessary, dangerous, and is against the enlightenment. Suddenly, we are drawn back to the dark ages of theocratic power. Our only hope is the unelected House of Lords whom, in their collective wisdom have repeatedly protected our civil liberties from reichsfuhrer Blair's assault on the constitution.

I sincerely hope the House of Lords will dispense with the Salisbury convention and vote with their conscience against this insidious bill.