Ireland Going Backwards One Step At A Time…
Well, perhaps that is a misleading title, it was only one step and after they did so well getting over the whole Catholic Vs. Prodestant thing. They have passed a blasphemy law which makes it illegal for…
A person who publishes or utters blasphemous matter shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable upon conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €100,000. [Amended to €25,000, because apparently it costs €75,000 to encroach on someones freedom of speech...]
How ridiculous is this and how enraged should people be, of all faiths, not just us godless heathen atheists! Everyone of all faiths and the faithless of Ireland need to stand up to this madness, what do they hope to achieve with such a law? Apparently this means that:
- Atheists: Can be prosecuted for saying that God is imaginary.
- Pagans: can be prosecuted for saying they left Christianity because God is violent and bloodthirsty, promotes genocide, and permits slavery.
- Christians: can be prosecuted for saying that Allah is a moon god, or for drawing a picture of Mohammed, or for saying that Islam is a violent religion which breeds terrorists.
- Jews: can be prosecuted for saying Jesus isn’t the Messiah.
This seems highly ridiculous, because not only is it a blatant violation of the freedom of speech clause as stated in the European Constitution, which, if I recall correctly must be agreed to by all member states. (I have a feeling I’m wrong on this) Yet, despite being a blatant violation of free-speech, it suddenly makes religion, probably the driving factor in the creation of this law, highly immune to criticism. Wow, what a democracy…
So many groups are effected, even someone like a simple history teaching, going on about the past of Christianity, or an RE class exploring the arguments for and against the existence of god. Also, which god? Could I just make up a god and say that I am offended by someone taking their dog for a walk as it is blasphemous to my lord? The madness behind any kind of blasphemy law is obvious to any thinker. Your entitled to your right to believe whatever you want to believe, one of the rights granted by the EU I believe.
So, not only is this law vague and will lead to contradictions as the actions of some people expressing their beliefs will inherently imply blasphemy in others. Along with the blatent violation of freedom of speech, I am at a loss to say how the hell such a piece of legislation made it through. Is this some misguided attempt at preventing a repeat of the violence we have seen in the past? All I expect this law would do is actually act as a reason to start fighting again instead of helping to reach and keep peace.
It looks like Ireland needs to be dragged kicking and screaming into the age of enlightenment along with the rest of us. Huge points to any Irish citizen who blasphemes just because of the creation of this ridiculous law.
