by Savo Heleta
Member since:
November 21, 2007

New blasphemy law in Ireland - going back to dark middle ages

August 23, 2009 06:40 AM EDT (Updated: August 23, 2009 06:43 AM EDT)
views: 213 | comments: 18

The parliament of Ireland has decided to return the country to dark middle ages after passing a bill establishing a crime of blasphemy.

The new law states:

"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 25,000 euros.

"A person publishes or utters blasphemous matter if (a) 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, and (b) he or she intends, by the publication or utterance of the matter concerned, to cause such outrage."

Anyone "causing outrage" and even "intending" to do so among the religious people or questioning religion and existence of God could be prosecuted under the law.

What happened to the "civilized" Western values? What happened to freedom of speech and expression?

It looks as if Ireland is ruled by Saudi or Taliban-like politicians and lawmakers...

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Comments: 18

Dorothy H. Aug 23, 2009, 7:01am EDT
I don't know anything much about modern Ireland, but glad my ancestors left there a long time ago.
Jennifer R. Aug 23, 2009, 8:39am EDT
Goodness I think you are right.
Chuck L. Aug 23, 2009, 8:43am EDT
"It looks as if Ireland is ruled by Saudi or Taliban-like politicians and lawmakers..."
Nah! Just Catholic fundies.

But there IS good news. If you read the language carefully, you'll see the word "and" most strategically placed (i.e.; "A person publishes or utters blasphemous matter if (a) he or she publishes or utters... and {emphasis mine} (b) he or she intends, by the publication or utterance of the matter concerned, to cause such outrage.")

What that means is, the prosecution must prove not only insult or grave abuse of religion, but they must ALSO prove that the statement "caused outrage" AND that the utterer INTENDED to CAUSE OUTRAGE thereby. Your interpretation is incorrect (it has to be - I intend to insult or grossly abuse religion all the time) - they can't convict you of intent if you don't DO something. And they can't convict you of DOING something, if they can't prove you INTENDED to cause outrage.
Dan (Cowboy Up) V. Aug 23, 2009, 2:48pm EDT
Thanks for pointing that out, Chuck.
Debra C. Aug 23, 2009, 5:49pm EDT
The "and" is important in reading this law. The fact that it applies to statements held this way by all religions is also instructive. It will be interesting to see if they try to, and can enforce it to help minimize hatred between groups.
Walker Bennett, SF Author Aug 23, 2009, 7:45pm EDT
Are you sure that the Orangemen didn't run this through?
Katharyne T. Aug 23, 2009, 8:46am EDT
that is just going to add to thier already religion war over there
Thomas Millington Aug 23, 2009, 9:17am EDT
Jesus Christ Himself said a number of things that outraged the populace of His time. And for that He was executed.
Donald Hawley Aug 23, 2009, 10:18am EDT
We do the same thing in this country. We call it, "hate speech." But we are hypocritical and think that when we do it, it is politically correct. When others do it, it is barbaric. I think it is interesting that it includes "all religions", not just the Catholic Church or the Protestant Church. And when you consider the still simmering battle between the Catholics and the Protestants leading to gross bloodshed, a law such as this seems quite reasonable and advance, particularly if it helps to keep the inflamatory rhetoric down.
Deb S. Aug 23, 2009, 11:30am EDT
Very sad commentary on the idea that we humans have evolved. I guess Sam Harris and Bill Maher would not be any more welcome in Ireland than they are by many in our country.
Thomas Millington Aug 23, 2009, 11:32am EDT
One man's truth is another man's outrage.
Lee P. Aug 23, 2009, 12:50pm EDT
God Bless America!
*crosses Ireland off the list of TO VISIT places, refills it with Brazil*
Ellen B. Aug 23, 2009, 2:24pm EDT
Darn, I've always wanted to visit ireland too; not sure if I'd want to now or not. I have irish ancestory, and love the music though.
Leah Christensen Aug 23, 2009, 2:36pm EDT
"Anyone "causing outrage" and even "intending" to do so among the religious people or questioning religion and existence of God could be prosecuted under the law."

I promise never to set foot in Ireland, EVER!!!! My father was over there a couple of years ago. I'm happy to report that while Dad was in Ireland, I was in Arizona eloping with a total anarchist! *grin*

We have some Irish roots way back on Dad's side, and Mom's side is full-blooded Danish.
Joanne Vicente Aug 23, 2009, 6:31pm EDT
Irish literature abounds with blasphemy, and that's the spice that makes it such a joy to read! I would not deal in any way with a country so oppressive as to censor people's speech and writing!
Thomas Millington Aug 24, 2009, 1:17pm EDT
The government of Ireland certainly meant well in their attempts to rid the country of a social ill. However morality cannot be legislated. It has to come from the hearts, souls and minds of the people. This is the main purpose of religion. However when religion dies it has no further power to regulate men's behavior. So the government steps in and tries to take over where religion left off, and this does not work.
placating Islam.

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