Ahern proposes Autumn Referendum on blasphemy.

[Toland]

The question here isn't whether blasphemy is right, it's whether someone deemed to have blasphemed should be prosecuted. Clearly that's absurd. I think even most religious people, if this isn't polarised and used as an excuse to bash religion, would agree that it isn't right. All depends, however, on how offensive the campaign in favour of removal is. If they're dumb then they'll get the backs up of many religious and/or moderate people, if they're smart they'll patiently explain the case without actually pissing anyone off.

Anything at all that could be legitimately protected by a blasphemy law could be protected by other legislation (usually public order or incitement laws).

[FutureTaoiseach]

The question here isn't whether blasphemy is right, it's whether someone deemed to have blasphemed should be prosecuted. Clearly that's absurd. I think even most religious people, if this isn't polarised and used as an excuse to bash religion, would agree that it isn't right. All depends, however, on how offensive the campaign in favour of removal is. If they're dumb then they'll get the backs up of many religious and/or moderate people, if they're smart they'll patiently explain the case without actually pissing anyone off.

"Offence" is in the eye of the beholder. Irish citizens shouldn't be prevented from satirising any religion - including Islam - just to appease a fanatical fundamentalist minority so as that which exploded over the Danish cartoons. Centuries of freedom to satirise religion should not be sacrificed on the altar of 'multiculturalism'. We should not have to compromise on our traditional Western freedoms to appease a reactionary theocratic minority.

[toxic avenger]

"Offence" is in the eye of the beholder. Irish citizens shouldn't be prevented from satirising any religion - including Islam - just to appease a fanatical fundamentalist minority so as that which exploded over the Danish cartoons. Centuries of freedom to satirise religion should not be sacrificed on the altar of 'multiculturalism'. We should not have to compromise on our traditional Western freedoms to appease a reactionary theocratic minority.

Er.. I'm pretty sure the blasphemy provisions are aimed to protect the sensibilities of the likes of me, Catholics, rather than anyone else. I don't know why you're blaming multiculturalism or 'fanatical minorities' that simply don't exist here. And I said precisely that we are big and ugly enough to cope with a bit of piss-taking without the absurdity of prosecution of the piss-takers to 'protect' us...

[sondagefaux]

"Offence" is in the eye of the beholder. Irish citizens shouldn't be prevented from satirising any religion - including Islam - just to appease a fanatical fundamentalist minority so as that which exploded over the Danish cartoons.

It may have escaped your notice, but blasphemy IS a criminal offence in Ireland, largely as a result of Dermot Ahern's decision to make it one. Dermot Ahern is an Irish TD, government minister and a devout Catholic.

"Centuries of freedom to satirise religion should not be sacrificed on the altar of 'multiculturalism'. We should not have to compromise on our traditional Western freedoms to appease a reactionary theocratic minority.

Centuries of freedom to satirise religion? In Ireland? Are you serious? Blasphemy has been illegal in Ireland and most of western Europe until relatively recently. It's only been decriminalised since 2008 in the UK, although prosections have been very rare since the early 20th century. The last successful prosecution for blasphemous libel in the UK was in 1977. Whitehouse v Lemon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Christine Murray]

It may have escaped your notice, but blasphemy IS a criminal offence in Ireland, largely as a result of Dermot Ahern's decision to make it one. Dermot Ahern is an Irish TD, government minister and a devout Catholic.



Centuries of freedom to satirise religion? In Ireland? Are you serious? Blasphemy has been illegal in Ireland and most of western Europe until relatively recently. It's only been decriminalised since 2008 in the UK, although prosections have been very rare since the early 20th century. The last successful prosecution for blasphemous libel in the UK was in 1977. Whitehouse v Lemon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

our arts have consistently and historically taken the p'iss out of religion, questioned it and derided it.

I don't care about how devout a government minister is (or not) the fact is the criminalisation
of blasphemy is based in incentivising protest and a product of overt nannyism.

[FutureTaoiseach]

When I refer to centuries I mean a centuries-long tradition of European secularism - e.g. such as in France.

[sondagefaux]

When I refer to centuries I mean a centuries-long tradition of European secularism - e.g. such as in France.

France was the exception in Europe for centuries, not the norm.

[loner]

ah sure blame the AG, afterall Ahern insisted at the time of the amendment to the 2006 Bill that it was put there under his advisement.

Perhaps we could have a look at the AGs advice and also his advice in relation to taking a pension contrib from the Judges

[Toland]

When I refer to centuries I mean a centuries-long tradition of European secularism - e.g. such as in France.

I don't think Aherns Blasphemy Law threatens French laicisme, do you?

[Foghorn]

What a pity that such emphasis is placed on insult. Better that our efforts and thoughts be directed at mutual respect.