New Blasphemy Law - For or Against?
Posted: Saturday, January 02, 2010
by e
Dhammabucha Rocksprings Meditation
(From Cnn.com Saturday, January 2, 2010).
A blasphemy law went into effect on New Year's Day in Ireland, of which the majority is loyal to Catholicism. The law, punishable by a €25,000-($35,800) fine, was passed in July and became effective January 1.
A person breaks the law by saying or publishing anything "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."
Those found guilty of breaking the blasphemy law may try to defend themselves by proving that a reasonable person would find literary, artistic, political, scientific or academic value in what they said or published, the law says.
Atheist Ireland called the law "silly and dangerous," because it provides an incentive for religious outrage. We believe in the golden rule: that we have a right to be treated justly, and that we have a responsibility to treat other people justly. Blasphemy laws are unjust: They silence people in order to protect ideas. In a civilized society, people have a right to express and to hear ideas about religion even if other people find those ideas to be outrageous." the group said.
The group urged the Irish government to repeal the law. It also asked lawmakers for a referendum on removing all references to God from the Irish constitution.
If this law was equally applied to politics, would it cause people to become more civil or violent? And what would constitute "grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any (party) religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that (party) religion."
I understand the right of countries to legislate their own affairs without sticking my nose in. For example; it is an imprisonable offense in Thailand to publicly say anything derogative about the king. (One of my first warnings when I arrived there in 1981 as an American who typically is accustomed to being outspoken).
On the other hand, if countries harm individuals for expressing their opinions politically or religiously, I see no problem in publicizing facts, all of the facts, and letting readers decide for themselves.
I'm curious about your reaction to this blasphemy law.
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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)Hi e.I think it is completely crazy based on the facts given and I am shocked that it was passed into law. I certainly hope that nothing like that ever happens here.Dianne
It is rather shocking. I think that our constitution is all about individual rights, so I don't see a theocratic influence yet, but you never know.
Thanks for your input. Best as always............e
The reason we have our rights and freedoms today in this country is because we rebelled against the King of England. I believe everyone should have the freedom to say what they want to say about any matter religious or political.I think they rebelled against the Church of England as well! Thanks David.
I think it is a terrible, backwards law that violates people's right to free speech.Religions are collections of ideas, and ideas should always be open to criticism.I'm not sure how their court system works there, but here the law would be shredded because of ambiguity. "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." - - - Say what? What constitutes outrage? Or abusive and insulting? Or even a substantial number?
Thanks Ben.
A silly law, akin to how some radical extremists in the U.S. want a Constitutional amendment to prohibit flag burning. It simply creates a problem where one did not exist before. I read about this new law on the BBC feed, and Atheist Ireland's reaction. Now they really do have a moral obligation to perform civil disobedience, just as we would have a moral obligation to burn the U.S. flag if the radical fundamentalists ramrod a flag burning amendment down our throats.
Every irrational law deserves to be challenged.Boy, for some reason the Irish really have problems with religion! And they are feisty to say the least. I'll have to follow this one and see how it comes out.
Thanks G for the comment.Wasn't Jesus arrested for blasphemy?
The same old theory - if it isn't what I (a majority) think, make it illegal to speak or write opposing views and so there will be none. Kinda the opposite of freedom, ya think?Thanks WhiteGyr, It makes one appreciative of our non-religious founding fathers, and a constitution based on individual freedoms, not dogma. True religion can be a wonderful thing if it's private and void of politics. Once a religion falls into the realm of political movements and thinks it has the only answers, I believe that it is gutted of the true meaning of religion, which is a humility of not knowing.
This law is another example of 'us against them' in my opinion. "Blasphemy" is nothing more than an opinion, not fact. Sometimes I feel the human race will NEVER 'get it'...that just because someone disagrees with you, it doesn't make them wrong and you right.Hi Joyce, thanks for commenting. Yes, believe it or not, this is the kind of thing that many wars are fought over. Ignorance and stupidity, and a strong desire to control others, persuade and cajole them, even force them to think your way. It makes one want to throw up.Definitely makes you want to throw up, or scream and rant and rave. :)'just because someone disagrees with you, it doesn't make them wrong and you right.'Ain't that the truth!
It's terrifying, and I hope the majority of the world continues to look down on the law in distaste. Why don't they go all the way and institute a morality police?Yeah, I thought that kind of dark mentality went out with the middle ages. You gotta go figure? Thanks Anthony.
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