Blasphemy Made Illegal In...

[2NaFish]

...Ireland. Were you thinking Iran, Afghanistan, maybe being topical and gonna say Yemen? Nope, apparently Ireland is protecting religion against anything that could be considered blasphemous, with a 25,000 euro fine.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8437460.stm

"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."

Here is a link to the irish atheist page which flouts the new laws, http://blasphemy.ie/2010/01/01/atheist-ireland-publishes-25-blasphemous-quotes/

Beyond being contradictory this law seems to me to be thoroughly medieval. It also gives a way to creating international blasphemy laws, with countries such as pakistan backing the idea.

Why an unproveable imaginary being requires legal protection is beyond me. Thoughts?

[I ARE ESS]

there is something similar coming into play in europe, the whole thing is completly draconian, not being funny but also, if God was fucked off about it, wouldnt he do something about it, its not for man to interpret the will of soemthing he holds higher than himself

[2NaFish]

there's some cracking quotes on that site too, my favourite being

Bjork, 1995: "I do not believe in religion, but if I had to choose one it would be Buddhism. It seems more livable, closer to men... I've been reading about reincarnation, and the Buddhists say we come back as animals and they refer to them as lesser beings. Well, animals aren't lesser beings, they're just like us. So I say fuck the Buddhists."

How often do people get ripped in to buddhists? Not often enough if you ask me.

[Sean]

Spank me and call me Patrick (my middle name)  that is scary !!

will have to look more into...     

[dman1991]

HEATHENS!!!

[ktallett]

i agree with 2nafish im not sure how they base a law on the unprovable belief. You cant force someone no matter what religion the majority of the state may believe in to have the same opnion as you. Everyone has the right to express themselves about whatever they like. I dont see what is wrong with just a natural morality and just as long as individuals stick by that it would be fine. No need for any of this power crazed rulings.

[Sean]

2NA... What ya say for laughs we get a six pack and find some Ireland living members and start shit about religion and then blackmail them for another 6pack of brew.... or we contact the officials!!!!

Where is that Anarchy boy?

[2NaFish]

i agree with 2nafish im not sure how they base a law on the unprovable belief. You cant force someone no matter what religion the majority of the state may believe in to have the same opnion as you. Everyone has the right to express themselves about whatever they like. I dont see what is wrong with just a natural morality and just as long as individuals stick by that it would be fine. No need for any of this power crazed rulings.

the cynic in me makes me think this whole thing may be done to divert attention from the whole catholic church child rape continuing saga. We can argue over the merits of something which probably will never be enacted (britain actually had a similar law left over on the statute books until 2008 which was gathering dust) and the beasts - and the police and governement officials who were complicit in their paedophilic abuse through turning a blind eye-   that terrorized thousands of children will be ignored.

But, like i said, i'm cynical.

[2NaFish]

2NA... What ya say for laughs we get a six pack and find some Ireland living members and start shit about religion and then blackmail them for another 6pack of brew.... or we contact the officials!!!!

Where is that Anarchy boy?

K. You can make up some shit about the jews, muslims and the Shintoists and i'll take the christians, zoroastrians and the buddhists. Go!

[ktallett]

I dont know too much about the catholic rape saga and its actual facts other than the very public cases of priests in the uk plus i have heard of cases in italy. It is obviously a major problem within the church and there must be something about the job that attracts this type of mind (other than the access to children). I know the church is of course very famous for covering up things they dont want to be let out and doing anything to say so although it was meant to have stopped in the 60's yet im sure it must still happen as it probably happens in most organisations businesses churches and governments. Yet this surely must be seen as quite bad in many countries unless the government for example hasnt made a big deal of the law change.

[Sean]

and here now as us gunners... are talking about it

+

[mooney]

surely being tried in a court of law for blasphemy would never actually stand up? you dont exactly have to be a top lawyer to rip that one apart.

I dont know anything about the rape stuff 2na, but i'll take your word for it and say it's attention diverting tactics...

[ktallett]

It wouldnt in a usual court but often clearly in many countries trials arent always completely open or law abiding so may be the case in this too.

[2NaFish]

surely being tried in a court of law for blasphemy would never actually stand up? you dont exactly have to be a top lawyer to rip that one apart.

these laws are protecting the idea of god,not saying there definetly is. to be convcted of blasphemy would be cut and dry given a few witnesses or a recording.

[mooney]

so if im ever in Ireland, and i happen to hear someone diss the almighty one, im calling the police on them! lol

[bucketsixx]

jeebus wept.