UK technology site TechWorld investigates the recent controversy over the Birmingham City Council blocking access to atheist and Pagan sites, while allowing normal access to “mainstream” religions like Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism. Bryan Betts interviews a spokesman from Bluecoat Software, who allegedly provides the council’s filtering service, and uncovers a general arbitrary cluelessness concerning the categorization of religions.

“The problem is that it lists organised religions such as Christianity, Islam and Judaism in one group, while relegating less mainstream – but recognised and perfectly legal – faiths such as Wicca and Paganism to an “Alternative Spirituality/Occult” group. Rather oddly, it lists atheism both in the latter group and under Politics. And a company spokesperson couldn’t explain what the difference is between “unconventional religious or quasireligious subjects” (listed under Religion) and ” alternative religions” (listed as Alternative Spirituality/Occult).”

You can read a run-down of Bluecoat’s filter categories, here. The dirty little secret of the web filtering business is that the categories are mostly cribbed from conservative Christian-backed programs and services. These programs are then sold to schools, libraries, and government institutions, which can lead to controversy and litigation once individuals realize the bias inherent in the filter.

“Alternative Spirituality/Occult: Sites that promote and provide information on religions such as Wicca, Witchcraft or Satanism. Occult practices, atheistic views, voodoo rituals or any other form of mysticism are represented here. Includes sites that endorse or offer methods, means of instruction, or other resources to affect or influence real events through the use of spells, incantations, curses and magic powers. This category includes sites which discuss or deal with paranormal or unexplained events.”

The National Secular Society, who calls the current filtering scheme “slightly deranged”, is hoping that the negative publicity will be enough to change their filter policy, though they will take the matter to court if they have to. In the meantime, followers of “conventional”, “unconventional”, and “quasi-religious” faiths will have full access to the web, while the “alternative/occult” adherents will be treated as second-class citizens by a government agency. Something, no doubt, will have to give soon.

Tags: atheism, discrimination, Internet, occult, Paganism, UK