Is Irish Anti-blasphemy Law Such a Bad Thing?
After hearing about the new Irish anti-blasphemy law I decided to see what the Irish atheists had to say. They are protesting the new law by providing 25 blasphemous quotes; I am not prudish so decided to have a look. The quotes weren't so terrible, but the hundreds of comments afterwards came as a bit of a shock. What you got is post after post of hate-speech against religion and the people who follow these religions. Why would anyone want to be so insulting about other people's beliefs? Is this the free speech they want to protect? By the time I had reached the end of the comments I began to think that the Irish anti-blasphemy law wasn't such a bad thing. I have no god but that is my own personal decision. I don't require everyone else to believe the same way as I do, and my beliefs don't involve needing to demean other people.
I think the Irish anti-blasphemy law is a tragedy; but the really terrible thing is that there is some justification for this law. It is a shame that we can't have a multi-cultural society where people are prepared to respect everyone else's beliefs. Why is it important that people should have the right to insult other people's religions? Should I have the right to say whatever I want about whomever I want? If I feel the urge to denounce another person's religion and ridicule their value system shouldn't I be able to do this without fear of any comeback?
I think that this Irish anti-blasphemy law is a disgrace, but I also think that the comments made by atheists make such a law less objectionable. I hope the Irish government and those who made these hateful comments come to their senses soon.
Published by Garro
I was born in Ireland, spent my twenties in England, and now live in Thailand. I work as a freelance writer, but I'm also a qualified nurse. I have one book published and another one due for release next year. View profile
- A Reverend's Take on the Science vs Religion DebateThe creative tension between science and religion is a good thing because it generates communication. However, scientists should speak from the laboratory, not the bully pulpit.
- Do I Have to Check My Religion at the Door of Knowledge?Art and philosophy, in both their origin and their practice, serve as the tools of religion.
- Religion Requires One to Think Outside the BoxThis article examines the traditional arguments that attempt to derail the religious institutions subsisting today and argue them by portraying the truth about religion being a form of faith not a science experiment.
Science & Religion CoexistI read Torrey Meeks' article about science trumping religion, and I couldn't help but wonder what might spawn such righteous indignation.- Movie Quotes from Never Been Kissed, the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Spellb...These movie quotes explore the topic of love and relationships
- Analysis: The Historical Background Behind Mike Huckabee's Racist Gunman Joke at t...
- High School Commencement Speech Quotes
- Top Ten Funny Graduation Quotes
- 10 Wonderful Summer Love Quotes for that Special Someone
- Famous Movie Quotes
- A Handful of Summer Love Quotes
- The Nature and Purpose of Religion
11 Comments
Post a CommentWhat?! So, freedom of speech has to take a back seat because of some uncouth comments on the internet? I don't think so. And saying that you also oppose the legislation, in addition to condemning the blasphemous comments, doesn't get you off the hook either. Anti-blasphemy laws--or any other laws that stifle the exchange of ideas, and even the (gasp!) insult of ideas--are bad. Period.
I can see what you are saying Pope Random Child. I live in Thailand and there are quite a few restrictions on free speech. Most people from around the world would agree that generally speaking the Thais are a very tolerant people though. In fact it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world; westerners love the laid back life here. I am happier living in a society where you are expected to respect other people then where you are allowed to say any old offensive nonsense that comes into your head. Thai people do not seem to be missing anything in their life by not having the right to badmouth other religions.
Freedom in all its forms requires responsibility or its not really freedom. People who spout hateful shite aren't free, their inner being is tormented in chains.
"I am now less certain then I once was about the benefits of free speech; the issue is not so black and white anymore." Ignorant people say ignorant things, but I think you know that the alternative to free speech 'anti-blasphemy law' is a path back to the Dark Ages.
I appreciate all the comments. As I said in the article I do think this law is stupid. On the other hand, I really do think many of the comments on that website were a disgrace. Words can do as much damage as physical violence. Look at the number of teenagers that have been verbally abused so much that they were driven to suicide. The internet means that people these days feel they have the right to insult who they like without any repercussions. The amount of hatred expressed by many of the atheists disturbed me a little, but that is my problem; I did choose to participate. I am now less certain then I once was about the benefits of free speech; the issue is not so black and white anymore.
"Why is it important that people should have the right to insult other people's religions? Should I have the right to say whatever I want about whomever I want? If I feel the urge to denounce another person's religion and ridicule their value system shouldn't I be able to do this without fear of any comeback?"
To questions 2 and 3, 'yes'. Freedom of speech means freedom for even the hateful people. If you don't like something just don't listen to it. Or realize that they are acting out of their own fear and insecurity. Try to give them love and reason with them; and if that doesn't work, you tried.
To question 1, it is important because many religions see God as The Big Guy in the Sky who has all the control. I think Zappa was right when he said this is a part of our monkey brain that needs religion like this. When you realize that most people are acting on the level of a self aware primate, it is easy to love and be patient. We are always evolving, and I devote my time to ju
You cannot be serious. This is about free speech, and if I want to say that god is a lie and jesus was a political leader and nothing but that I will do so. I won't tell a religious person to shut up so why should they have the right to tell me? This is scandalous.
The captcha on the right says "hushed prisoners", nice coincidence.
Paul Garrigan,
"When I first heard about the Irish anti-blasphemy law my first reaction was that was a terrible backward step."
I doubt it after reading this article.
"After hearing about the new Irish anti-blasphemy law I decided to see what the Irish atheists had to say. "
More likely that you decided to look because you are no babe in the woods, and are well aware that atheists don't mince words about religion. You are all for the idea of speech censorship since you are clearly for hate speech restriction. In fact, you fully buy into the precepts behind blasphemy law.
You only thought it unfortunate that the law was passed because you were hoping there was no need for it, but you knew in the back of your mind that there was justification you'd be satisfied with out there, and you found it.
"What you got is post after post of hate-speech against religion and the people who follow these religions. "
Define "hate speech". Is it hate speech if you speak th
Is this post a joke?
The author notes that the anti-blasphemy law contains no protection for atheists. He then proceeds to insult and defame atheists. And concludes by asserting that the anti-blasphemy law is a good thing because it will silence atheists while apparently allowing him to continue defaming them.
Hypocrisy for the win!
Mr Garrigan, it would appear that you completely failed to understand the content of the site you visited. In the secular world, we are constantly asked to accept, without question, exemptions from the law as we know it on religious grounds (the cover up of child abuse by the church for example or the provision of halal meat to name but two). When asked to justify why we object, we express our deep misgivings about the nature of the faith in question (again, as an example, my reading about Mohammed, while sacred to Muslims, suggests to me that he was a clever manipulator who used the ignorance of his peers as a way of satisfying his sexual desires). This new law would seem to suggest that because my interpretation of Mohammed's life differs to that of the Islamic community, I could be prosecuted in Ireland because they would be offended. The posts being made on the website in question are a reaction to the absurdity of this law and have been made in terms which reflect the strength of
In the last 2000 years we have seen acts of injustice, torture, massacre, war, etnic cleansing, discrimination, humiliation etc towards human beings, acts committed by other human beings inspired by, and in the name of, their blind faith in either ideological dogma but more often religious dogma. And you complain about some 'insulting' posts to a blasphemy provocation while on the other hand you ask for respect towards someone's religious beliefs?. How about insulting communism, fascism? Should we ask a Jew to respect a nazi? Should we ask a homosexual to respect the pope's believe?