British law to protect religion from hatred — and laughter?

This morning there was a story on NPR’s Weekend Edition (click the “Listen” button) about a new law in Britain banning incitement to religious hatred.

Reportedly Michael Palin, of Monty Python fame, has said that under this law, the comics would not have been able to make Monty Python’s Life of Brian.

Even Rowan Atkinson, a.k.a. “Mr. Bean” feels threatened.