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

[iartaoiseach]

It's amazing how that film has stood the test of time.

Unfortunately there is no time limit on stupidity. thats why the life of Brian is timeless.

[imokyrok]

Yeah - i thought it wouldn't go unnoticed:

RichardDawkins.net Forum • View topic - Blasphemous libel in Ireland

Blasphemous libel in Ireland

by Bateleur » Wed Apr 29, 2009 7:49 am
The Government of Ireland is proposing to amend its Defamation Bill by including the 'crime' of Blasphemous Libel.

Crime of blasphemous libel proposed for Defamation Bill - The Irish Times - Wed, Apr 29, 2009

The amendment is:

“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.”

Is the world going backwards, or what?

There's a few pages on the thread already if anyone else is interested in checking it out.

[oceanclub]

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; and he or she intends, by the publication of the matter concerned, to cause such outrage.

Does this mean that an adherent of one religion can argue that the adherent of another religion is "insulting" and therefore blasphenous? (Presumably any new law on blasphemy would be non-denominational?)

P.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

Unfortunately there is no time limit on stupidity. thats why the life of Brian is timeless.

Is it possible to order a copy of 'Malleus Maleficarum' yet? Translates as the Witches Hammer, written by a couple of Dutch Jesuits in order to help their neighbours stamp out local homeopathy?

The Malleus Maleficarum

I used to have great fun providing librarians with the necessary ISBN/Library of Congress numbers for a book the ratcatchers used to deny existed because it was the handbook of the Inquisition. Great to see some embarrassed librarian blushing as she lied and tried to say there was no such book.

In fairness some used to smile and put the query through. Never got a copy but must order one from godless Amazon.

[Alterego]

Nah - they tried that in Oklahoma recently. Didn't work. Dawkins is made of stern stuff for all his English gentleman demeanour. Actually I must checkout richarddawkins.net and see if this ludicrious situation has attracted attention there.

What ludicrous about this? Sir Matthew Hale convincingly argued that religion (in his case Christianity) was the cornerstone of civil society and that blasphemy was tantamount to sedition. Of course with a multiplicity of religions that argument becomes untenable however no one can deny that the decline of religion has surely been the most detrimental factor in the current incivility and lawlessness that defines Ireland of today.

[oceanclub]

What ludicrous about this?

Do you think God or Allah is a all-seeing, all-knowing, ever-present and omnipotent being who created the entire universe?

If so, then why do you think he gives a fig what I say?

P.

[floatingingalway]

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

Unfortunately there is no time limit on stupidity. thats why the life of Brian is timeless.

Its got nothing to do with Jesus. Its about a chap called Brian

[Alterego]

Do you think God or Allah is a all-seeing, all-knowing, ever-present and omnipotent being who created the entire universe?

If so, then why do you think he gives a fig what I say?

P.

It's not about what Allah thinks though is it, a blasphemy law is there specifically to protect the religious from offence.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

If the religious are confident in their beliefs why should they be offended at blasphemy? I don't plan on becoming a wino but I don't stop on the street, take alcohol from winos and pour it down the drain in case children should see them?