Comments on: Prof Richard Dawkins slams ‘stupid and regressive’ Irish blasphemy law

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:50:27 +0000

In a court of law you must ‘prove’ guilt. What is blasphemy and what is not blasphemy can only defined by that religions deity. When they can get ‘God’ to testify in a court of law as to what does and does not constitute blasphemy in their religion then they have proof of the basis of the law against which someone can be judged, until then it is only a matter of belief, an opinion and not a statement of fact. In fact the choice to enact the law flouts the will of ‘God’ to define the nature of a religion and puts the courts definition of what is to be construed as blasphemous or true religious observance above the will of `’God’ ie. the law itself could be considered to be blasphemous as it place the court between the worshipper and god in defining what is an appropriate display of faith and what is not, the court is not the arbiter of faith, by definition God is.

By: James Smith João Pessoa, Brazil

James Smith João Pessoa, Brazil — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:15:49 +0000

When you read about “Separation of church and state”, what it should say is, “separation of religion and state”.

If you changed that wording, the deist’s howls of outrage could be heard on the moon. As it is, they are able to sneak their beliefs into law under the guise of “morality” and “public good”. The fact that no one has ever been able to legislate morality is as irrelevant to them as any other fact.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:48:21 +0000

Just when you think we are making good progress with a society of equality, they go and do something like this – its another ridiculous and infuriating backwards movement, like proposition 8. Its like theres a 17th century enthusiast in every government adament that we will all wear corsets and have rods shoved up our arses again. But, then again, thats 99% of our government already

By: Venise Alstergren

Venise Alstergren — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:21:53 +0000

As an Atheist I should perhaps not interfere in religious matters. However, I'm going to chance my luck..Many of Ireland's historical laws and internecine hatreds are the product of a Southern European religion being grafted onto a Northern European country.

By: mike

mike — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:48:09 +0000

I once heard Dara O'bryn (or however you spell it) make a joke about cathocism. At least now i know why he's over here so much, he ought to seek asylum.

By: MrSean

MrSean — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:48:49 +0000

Keep yourself posted here: http://blasphemy.ie/

By: ZombieHunter

ZombieHunter — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:13:37 +0000

Is there any word yet on when this blasphemous statement will be released??

I'm really looking forward to it

By: Brian Jordan

Brian Jordan — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:36:13 +0000

"There are no gods", 'blaspheming' all with one stone?

By: Stonyground

Stonyground — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:37:30 +0000

The Old Testament is pretty blasphemous as it depicts God as being a sadistic mass murderer with the mentality of a spoilt toddler. So my blasphemy test case would consist of the statement "God is a sadistic mass murderer with the mentality of a spoilt toddler". If I go down I take all the Bible thumpers with me.

By: Bubblecar

Bubblecar — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:29:45 +0000

I'm no fan of Dawkins, but in full agreement with him here. It really makes you wonder what was going through the minds of the politicians who thought this would be a good idea, especially with all the damning Irish Catholic abuse revelations so fresh in peoples' minds.