Irish atheists challenge new blasphemy laws

blasphemy? isn't that what that guy jesus was charged with?

blas·phe·my
Pronunciation: \ˈblas-fə-mē\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural blas·phe·mies
Date: 13th century
1 a : the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God b : the act of claiming the attributes of deity
2 : irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable

It has always been my position that all religions were blasphemous because they all claim the attributes of deity. They all show contempt and lack of reverence for God, because each religion's portrayal is based on a human anthropomorphic view of God that is mostly negative and designed to scare the masses into submission.

I believe that it could very easily be argued that religion itself is blasphemous. Abolish religion and there will be no more blasphemy.

never take for granted living in a nation with freedom of speech. While western Europe is better than the states in many categories (healthcare, standard of living, quality of life) , we are still better in many others.

In an ideal world, of course no one would intentionally offend other people. And that's a good thing. It's not polite to intentionally offend others. The problems lie both in the subjectivity of the interpretation of the law (What is "grossly abusive or insulting"), and the opportunity for judicial corruption, resulting in legally persecuting the non-religious.

I would say "That's crazy" BUT we have (and always have) had blasphemy laws in Oklahoma where I live.

Look it up if you don't believe me. You can get fined something like a dollar for blasphemy on Sundays according to the Oklahoma Constitution.

Eire Go Bragh!

Let's just outlaw all negative speech. That way we'll all have to say happy things all the time!

Hmmm. I'm curious as to how the courts will interpret this law. The conduct must be not merely insulting but "grossly" insulting...what does that even MEAN? Whether something is insulting or not is pretty subjective by itself...when, I wonder, does the insult become "gross?" Then there is the matter of the noted defenses. I have a feeling that the defenses are going to end up swallowing the statute. Not many judges I know -- even in a relatively conservative state -- are very eager to convict people for mere insults...

Keep up the good fight against religious censorship! :) I wonder how the fundamentalist fools think outright censorship helps their cause...it's baffling.

The story also includes quotes from jesus, mark twain, mohammed, saldom rushie among others; and it is important to note that this law was pushed and passed with the pressure of the Roman Catholic Church, which despite so many convicted priests and bishops for raping young boys, is still, statiscally 80% Roman Catholic, altho according to the Irish media, 'the benches are emptying'.

What do you bet we find out later that the Family is quietly shoveling boxcars full of money at this?

They should never of made Stephen the first Christian saint for being stoned to death without explaining he was stoned for crimes against the Jewish law not for his actions as a christian. He was stoned for blasphemy, which was the Jewish law at the time and Stephen being Jewish. Take away the peoples right to criticize religion is the first step in demolishing free speech. Whats next return performance of the Inquisition.

Religious fundamentalism has apparently intimidated the Irish legislature into surrendering secular civil rights, just as it cowed America into enacting the Patriot Act. The two democracies are acting like whipped dogs, bellies up, tongues out, and tails between their legs.

Dear religious fundamentalists: you have no special rights. Dear government censors: you have no constitutional right to arbitrate the free exchange of ideas.

keep up the fight A.I.!