Irish atheists defy new blasphemy law
We read:
"An Irish atheist group has begun a campaign to have a controversial new blasphemy law repealed by publishing 25 quotations it claims are blasphemous on its website.
The new law that came into force on New Year's Day, making blasphemy a crime that can result in a fine of up to 25,000 euros ($40,128), is "both silly and dangerous", according to Michael Nugent of Atheist Ireland.
The group, which promotes a "rational, ethical, secular Ireland", has published quotations from the words of Jesus, Mohammed, Pope Benedict XVI, US guitarist Frank Zappa, Indian-British novelist Salman Rushdie, British comedy troupe Monty Python, former Northern Ireland first minister Ian Paisley and Irish Justice Minister Dermot Ahern.
Mr Ahern, who introduced the amending law earlier this year to reform a 1961 defamation law, said he would have preferred to have abolished it but he could not do so for constitutional reasons. Ireland's 1937 constitution says the "publication or utterance of blasphemous, seditious or indecent matter is an offence which shall be punishable in accordance with law". The provision cannot be changed without a referendum.
Source
12 comments:
hello! - freedom of speech! - the right to criticize religion, or any other point of view is not allowed?! - what is this site all about? - guess you shouldn't live in Ireland then if 3:27 AM is right.
Wouldn't the Irish government have to prove that god exists in a court of law to convict a "blasphemer"? Now that would be fun so see.
That's what happens when to delusional are in control.
No Anonymous 4:08
They would only have to prove an offence against the catholic church not as to whether or not God exists.
BTW
I realise Athiests in general have a shaky self-esteem but could one of at least manage to comment on religious matters without a pointless insult?
Blasphemy laws are just as bad as political correctness, people shoudln't go to jail for expressing an opinion no matter how hateful.
hmm, "punishable in accordance with the law" can mean anything.
If the law states there's no penalty, or defines the crime so narrowly it's impossible to commit, that would still fit the constitution while effectively scrapping the crime.
To Anon 3:27,
So you equate speaking out against an unjust law with pedophilia? Wow!
Do you think the people in Iran protesting their government deserve to be killed? For that matter, in all the places of the world where Islam rules, do little girls deserve grow up as property rather than persons, just because it's the law?
People have a DUTY to speak out against an unjust law. Any law which grants protection from criticism at the expense of another is unjust, and should be protested. That's what a free society means.
Mr. Sturdy: Do agnostics count? I think Athiests have better self-esteem than most, becuase they rely on their own reason rather than anything that must be taken on faith.
I make no criticism of people who are religious. I was raised in a religious family and tried to believe when I was a youngster. When I started to doubt I prayed for sign, but nothing ever happend. As I grew older and started making my own judgements, I had to be honest to myself.
I'm a natural skeptic. I would like to believe in a higher power, but until I see evidence rather than rhetoric or dogma....
I respect (and am slightly envious of) your belief. All I ask is that you respect my right not to believe.
Belief can only remain belief and never be certainty. People who need certainty about their place in the Cosmos are very insecure about themselves and their own identity. They should be content with what little they do know of their lives and the world they live in (from the human perspective).
That's why terrorists and suicide-bombers can belittle human life because the reward for belief is later found in "heaven/paradise".
Some Christians also believe a hereafter life makes this one of little account (effectively) and therefore could just as likely lead to such dangerously similar behavior as these other such radicals/terrorists (and they could have biblical justification for their actions on the Day of Judgement).
In other words, religious BELIEF can be very dangerous to your health here on earth!
Anon 3:27 said, "Belief can only remain belief and never be certainty. People who need certainty about their place in the Cosmos are very insecure about themselves and their own identity. They should be content with what little they do know of their lives and the world they live in"
Hmm. Why must I even care about my "place in the Cosmos"? Rather than insecure, why can't someone who is a non-beliver simply be unconcerned. I don't worry about being judged by anyone other than my peers. It's refreshing not to worry about judgement by a higher power. If I'm wrong, maybe God will cut me some slack for being honest, courteous, a hard worker and a generous friend.
If you're interested, one of the first reasons I personally started to doubt was the first 4 Commandments. In simple terms:
1)I'm the only God
2)Don't take a picture of me or my stuff
3)Don't talk bad about me
4)Spend every 7th day talking to your friends about how great I am.
George Carlin probably said it better. I appologize for offending any Christians who read this, but that's how I see it.
David - oh dear there seems to be two 3:27 AM's, but the second one seems to be on your side, tho' you don't seem to realize it, but who's maybe a bit ambiguous.
1)I'm the only God
2)Don't take a picture of me or my stuff
3)Don't talk bad about me
4)Spend every 7th day talking to your friends about how great I am.
I think (2) would be more accurate as "Don't worship idols" (Thou shalt not make unto any graven image), and (3) would more accurately be "Don't disrespect me."
A few years ago some wacko accused of molesting kids claimed it was his constitutional right to molest kids Then it the right of the parents to hang that pervert by his neck
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