From the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)!
An atheist group in the Irish Republic has defied a new blasphemy law by publishing a series of anti-religious quotations on its website.
Atheist Ireland says it will fight any action taken against it in court.
The quotations include the words of writers such as Mark Twain and Salman Rushdie, but also Jesus Christ, the Prophet Muhammad and Pope Benedict XVI.
The new law makes blasphemy a crime punishable by a fine of up to €25,000 (£22,000; $35,000).
The government says it is needed because the republic's 1937 constitution only gives Christians legal protection of their beliefs.
The new law was passed in July 2009 but came into force on 1 January.
Atheist Ireland responded by publishing 25 quotes it considers anti-religious on its website.
The group said its aim is to have the law repealed and to attain a secular Irish constitution.
Chairman Michael Nugent said it would challenge the blasphemy law through the courts if it were charged, the London-based Guardian newspaper reported.
"This new law is both silly and dangerous," he said. "It is silly because medieval religious laws have no place in a modern secular republic, where the criminal law should protect people and not ideas."
Atheist Ireland says it will hold a series of public meetings around the country to launch its campaign.
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Considering my recent release from of the song "Gold Plated Jesus" I'm with the Athiests on this one!
Atheist Ireland website click here!
Thought for today:
ReplyDeleteNo one can legislate away your faith or your moral character; and Athiests will never be able to prove a negative, so why do they struggle with it? Energy is a precious thing, and intense goodwill is always the greatest of blessings to the giver of sweet kindness.
Another thought to ponder: No one can make you feel inferior...without your consent!
reb
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Reb,
ReplyDeleteFor once I pretty much agree with you, now Vote in my new poll in the top right corner of the screen.
Rory
Reb,
ReplyDeleteI would like to bring your attention to the following quote from the above article:
""It is silly because medieval religious laws have no place in a modern secular republic, where the criminal law should protect people and not ideas.""
This would be a good topic to debate don't you think?
Rory
Your Poll does not contain "none of the above"
ReplyDeleteand is therefore it's an invalid ridicule.
You really should know that Amillennialist has
two double L's and two double N's.
The two gentlemen mentioned in that foolish poll are quite brilliant; their critics are not. reb
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Reb,
ReplyDeleteBecause you can are polite and sometimes write a comment I can agree with, I read your comments, but these terrible twins (Amillianiest and No_Slappz) NEVER write anything but long boring sectarian rants, so I usually don't bother reading them.
The poll is my little new years joke.
Rory
I'm encouraging all of these oh-so righteous Irish zealots to emigrate to the state of South Carolina where the love of god trumps democracy. It is much warmer there and the new immigrants may help move the state towards secession [again] on religious grounds.
ReplyDeleteWhen that happens, the other 49 will just turn their backs and give a sigh of relief.
My atheism is the positive acceptance of the energy of the universe I live in and the results of the ability to see the universe as it truly is.
ReplyDeleteI have been using my instinct for almost a half century to guide me towards truth and my sense of truth just keeps on getting stronger....
Your inner moral compass is more powerful than any "system" of belief. The problem is that your ability to sense what your psyche knows is always clouded by the attempts to manipulate you by artificial guilt and fear.
You gotta keep on keepin' on.......
mud_rake,
ReplyDeleteYou sure are welcome to our religious zealots, however I think they would be a burden on your state as the vast majority of them are probably over 60 years of age!
Rory
Happy New Year to all.
ReplyDeleteHow can such a law be enforced? At the mall? On the telephone? In a magazine?
ReplyDeleteAre they saying a person can be fined for saying, "Amen!" or "Help me Jesus!" at an unfortunate moment unless there is a Bible reference at hand?
I'm not understanding this piece at all, Urban_Underclass. Please. Exactly what is expected by thiis blasphemy law?
I read your source material. I just don't git it.
Rory,
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about this new law about cursing in vain, blasphemy. I think it's only correct to include all religions blasphemous, cursing in vain words in the law of the land.
Do you think you could get a petition going on this one: no blaspemy in pig latin.
I know cursing in pig latin was a big problem in my school, as a kid. An example? Dogstie Madtstie was for God, down there or God, the other way. That was very uncool. No one can actually boss God around and tell him where to put people you don't happen to like, which is a crime, too, sort of like killing people you don't like is a crime.
So, let's turn it around on everyone. Get a petition banning blasphemy in pig latin!
It would be great if you would, I mean to write.
Urban Under_Class,
ReplyDeleteI meant to add another possibility for Atheists' not wanting a law regarding blasphemy.
It is quite well known, that Atheists believe in no god. Therefore, Nogod is the title of their god. However, it isn't a popular expression anywhere, man.
I think this was the subject of a popular Beatles albumn, "Rubber Soul". Some thought it was an albumn about contraception or condoms. No. Rubber Soul was poetry about the problems of the middle class and how Atheists could fit into the social scheme, knowing they had no way of blasphemy.
May be one or two of your readers, the ones to smart to understand me, can research the Beatles, Rubber Soul methodology and social construction.
Ann,
ReplyDeleteI don't know what pig latin is.
On your other comment, it is hard to define blasphemy and the general consensus is that this ridiculous law will be unenforceable.
But it is on the books and no-doubt could be used to intimidate newspapers, forcing them to fight expensive law suits.
It is a step backwards from freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
Are the people who criticize Islam on this blog committing blasphemy, and am I committing a crime by hosting this blog? I don't know. I shall continue as normal.
Rory
how true. China has a similar rule on their state educational institutions. As an international teacher, one has to abiide by not mentioning a reference to religion in public.
ReplyDeleteNo Blasphemy Law in Ireland Petition can be signed here.
ReplyDeleteRory
The "Athiest" is actually a person that gets "really irritated" with anyone that is
ReplyDeletesearching for a mysterious power that defies
description or analysis.
After much thought and wading through many sects, and observing different faiths, and their behavior, I'm comfortable with the Agnostic position - I'm not afraid to admit that 'I don't know' for a certainty, so I'll keep my money in my pocket, Reverand!
The admitted athiest can't prove anything either; but he feels he has superior intellect.
That's pure self-deception, at best! - I'm a no-body; are you a nobody too? - reb
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Reb,
ReplyDeleteIn this post I say 'I'm with the athiests on this one', personally I consider myself a 'manic agnostic' depending on my mood I vacillate between faith in God and no faith. At the moment I believe and am attending mass every Sunday.
I disagree strongly with this blasphemy law because it is a major step backwards in terms of freedom of speech, and harks back to the time when the catholic church had way too much power in Ireland, with dire consequences. (Abuse of children in the care of the state).
Ironically, this law was enacted mainly to protect Islam as the Christian faiths have some protection in existing Irish law.
Rory