quote:Atheists in Ireland are risking possible prosecution with an audacious online challenge to the country's new blasphemy law.
Under the law, which went into effect Friday, a person can be found guilty of blasphemy if "he or she publishes or utters matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion."
Apparently, there is no separation of church and state in Ireland.
Posts: 1080 | Registered: Apr 2006
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Well, no. Not the same way as there is here. Why would there be? At its beginning, Ireland was closely connected to the Catholic Church and this was made plain in its constitution. This has been changing. Church and State are becoming more separate.
This is not a case of all of a sudden there is a law against blasphemy. This change to the blasphemy law (as I understand it) was more a clarification of a law that was on the books. I think that they should have just gotten rid of the law, but that would require further alteration to their constitution.
Posts: 11187 | Registered: Sep 2005
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Well, they are still extremely tolerant towards other religions. This law doesn't even say it applies to just Catholicism.
Posts: 3134 | Registered: Mar 2005
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Which would be interesting if one religion considered another one inherently blasphemous and took it to court.
Posts: 7593 | Registered: Sep 2006
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Isn't denial of the divinity of Jesus considered blasphemous to many Christians? So as long as a significant number of Christians were "outraged" by this, all Jews, Muslims, atheists, etc. could be legally prosecuted. Of course, the opposite claim could also be argued. Sure would be an interesting court case.
Posts: 1945 | Registered: Jul 2005
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I would imagine it all depends on the definition of "grossly abusive". I would imagine intent would play a part. There is a difference between writing an article about Jesus just being a regular man, and marching into a church during services screaming it. At least I would hope there is a difference.
Posts: 3134 | Registered: Mar 2005
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It would be cool to see an Orthodox Jew take someone to court in Ireland for posting stuff about Christianity.
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