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Atheists challenge Ireland's new blasphemy law with online postings
• Washington PostAtheists in Ireland are risking possible prosecution with an audacious online challenge to the country's new blasphemy law.
Under the law, which went into effect Friday, a person can be found guilty of blasphemy if "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."
The penalty is a fine of up to 25,000 euros, or more than $35,000.
Under the law, which went into effect Friday, a person can be found guilty of blasphemy if "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."
The penalty is a fine of up to 25,000 euros, or more than $35,000.
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3 Comments in Response to Atheists challenge Ireland's new blasphemy law with online postings
So... if I'm an atheist, and I "hold sacred" the superiority of reason and scientific evidence, does a comment to the effect that, say, evolution or the big bang is ignorant heathen nonsense, which an atheist finds grossly abusive and insulting - and is outraged by - qualify as blasphemy? Or do atheists not get equal protection under the law in Ireland?
I don't believe name-calling legally qualifies as a hate crime. So I could call YOU a fag all I wanted but you couldn't go to the police and claim it was an assault.
That said, I wonder if this law was prompted by fear of Islamic protests and riots?
Works all ways AHOLES. If you can be accused of a 'hate crime' for calling someone a 'fag', then why not this?