New crime of blasphemous libel proposed for Defamation Bill - goodbye free speech ?

[Demotruk]

In fact a lot of Christians believe the Big Bang theory is perfectly in agreement with the Biblical account of creation.

God said "Let there be Light", and the World came into being out of nothing.

You'd have to have a very superficial understanding of the Big Bang, and ignore the fact that he did a bunch of other stuff before he said "Let there be Light" to accept that, but hey it's better that people fit their theology to science than the other way around...

[myksav]

In fact a lot of Christians believe the Big Bang theory is perfectly in agreement with the Biblical account of creation.

God said "Let there be Light", and the World came into being out of nothing.

Not quite nothing, think a huge mass of matter (the contents of the universes) in one lump going bang.

I keep getting the image of God setting an explosive charge in it, standing back and pushing a button. Now, that would be interesting to witness, the ultimate in "making things expand rapidly". (demoliton joke)

[Odyessus]

Not quite nothing, think a huge mass of matter (the contents of the universes) in one lump going bang.

I keep getting the image of God setting an explosive charge in it, standing back and pushing a button. Now, that would be interesting to witness, the ultimate in "making things expand rapidly". (demoliton joke)

I am not discussing cosmology, (on with which I am quite well informed), I am just pointing out that the Big Bang Theory accords well with the Biblical account of creation as far as Christians are concerned, and so causes no controversy within Christianity, unlike for example the Theory of Evolution.

[Odyessus]

You'd have to have a very superficial understanding of the Big Bang, and ignore the fact that he did a bunch of other stuff before he said "Let there be Light" to accept that, but hey it's better that people fit their theology to science than the other way around...

Bear in mind that Christians do not treat the Bible as a physics textbook. The statements in it regarding the natural world are taken figuratively.

[oceanclub]

Bear in mind that Christians do not treat the Bible as a physics textbook. The statements in it regarding the natural world are taken figuratively.

Liberal Christians, perhaps, but a fair proportion consider it the actual word of God:

Comparing Christian beliefs in U.S. with those of other countries

"Bible: "The Bible is the actual word of God and it is to be taken literally, word for word." A yes answer probably implies that the subject believes in the inerrancy of the Bible and that its authors were inspired by God."

Percentage who agreed with above:
United States 33.5
N. Ireland 32.7
Philippines 53.7
Ireland 24.9
Poland 37.4
Italy 27.0
New Zealand 9.4
Israel 26.7
Austria 12.7
Norway 11.2
Great Britain 7.0
Netherlands 8.4
W. Germany 12.5
Russia 9.9
Slovenia 22.3
Hungary 19.2
E. Germany 7.5

[Demotruk]

And let's not forget 'creation astronomy', which views the Big Bang as just another part of evolution (they will call proponents of the Big Bang "evolutionists").

[Demotruk]

I guess the mods must not be reading this thread (FT's post specifically), or is there perhaps a limit to the amount of active polls that can be had at one time?

I'd be interested to see just how much support there is for this, from the comments here and on other websites it seems to be tiny, but you never know how many people are quietly in favour.

[Odyessus]

Liberal Christians, perhaps, but a fair proportion consider it the actual word of God:

Comparing Christian beliefs in U.S. with those of other countries

"Bible: "The Bible is the actual word of God and it is to be taken literally, word for word." A yes answer probably implies that the subject believes in the inerrancy of the Bible and that its authors were inspired by God."

Percentage who agreed with above:
United States 33.5
N. Ireland 32.7
Philippines 53.7
Ireland 24.9
Poland 37.4
Italy 27.0
New Zealand 9.4
Israel 26.7
Austria 12.7
Norway 11.2
Great Britain 7.0
Netherlands 8.4
W. Germany 12.5
Russia 9.9
Slovenia 22.3
Hungary 19.2
E. Germany 7.5

I would imagine this only applies to those things which have theological or ethical implications. For example there is a story in the Old Testament about about God stopping the sun in its course through the heavens to give Joshua enough daylight to win some battle or other.

I don't think many Christians would argue that the sun actually moves around the earth, but many would be happy to accept that God stopped the earth revolving long enough for Joshua's purpose, and the description in the Bible was still true, much the same way as we still speak of sunrise and sunset.

[oceanclub]

I would imagine this only applies to those things which have theological or ethical implications.

I quoted the actual text used in the survey. You can "imagine" all you want, but it was based on the, quote, word for word, unquote, accuracy of the Bible. That's the survey.

P.

[Free Speech IE]

Long-time lurker, first-time poster...

I was absolutely gobsmacked when Ahern came out with his proposal re the blasphemous libel legislation. I am currently involved in trying to bring together like-minded people to fight the proposal. A group of us are hosting a public meeting in Waterford this Thursday, 21st May. Further meetings across the country are to follow. If anybody from the legal profession is interested in speaking at the Waterford event, please get in touch. The details are as follows:

BLASPHEMY IS A VICTIMLESS CRIME

PUBLIC MEETING

VENUE: THE TOWER HOTEL, WATERFORD CITY
DATE: THURSDAY 21st MAY
TIME: 8 -10pm


A public meeting will be held in The Tower Hotel, Waterford City, to oppose the Government’s proposed revival of the blasphemy laws.

The meeting was planned on a new Irish website - blasphemy.ie - which also includes examples of material that could become illegal if the new law is passed.

The Waterford meeting is the first of several to be held around the country, organised by Atheist Ireland, an advocacy group for an ethical and secular Ireland.

Speakers will include:

Michael Nugent, chair of Atheist Ireland and co-author of I Keano

Barry Grant, Waterford resident and writer/videomaker.

Other speakers to be confirmed.


Local politicians will be invited, including Deputy Brendan Kenneally, Chairman of the Select Joint Committee for Justice, as will Deputy Brian O'Shea, also a member of said committee.

“Most Irish people, regardless of their religious beliefs, do not want this law to be passed” said Barry Grant. “This meeting will give Waterford people an opportunity to voice their opinions.”

Further information:

blasphemyireland@gmail.com

Campaign website: blasphemy.ie