Guilty of Blasphemy
Marvin the Martian 14 comments
In a country fuelled by religious turmoil, a new law has just been enacted, making blasphemy a punishable offence. Many of you think this must be a Muslim nation; given the recent history of the world, but you would be wrong.
In July, the government of Ireland passed a law, which went into effect January 1. This new law, makes it illegal to publish or even say out loud any of 25 blasphemous quotes. The 25 "blasphemous" quotations include the words of Jesus, Mohammed, Mark Twain, Salman Rushdie and Bjork. The punishment includes a fine of 25,000 euros.
In addition to the 25 quotations, the law also makes reference to:
“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.“
Why do the religious get so upset with people challenging their perceptions? Why do they get so upset with people questioning their interpretation of a book? Why is religion the only real taboo left that we are not allowed to talk about?
Phil H
Sunday 3rd January 2010 | 05:02 PMEr, Jake, Ireland aren't part of the monarchy. They're an independent republic. Northern Ireland are part of the UK and so share our Queen.
Earlier I read a blog post by a friend from Ireland now living in London. He's horrified. I'm pretty shocked too. It just doesn't make any sense to me - why is it necessary to enact laws to prevent people from causing offence to each other?
Jesus f*cking Christ. This is just insane. So should they also outlaw blasphemy towards Zeus? Apollo? Nero? The Flying Spaghetti Monster? The orbiting teapot?
To answer your question "Why do the religious get so upset with people challenging their perceptions?" it's because they have not a single shred of evidence to back them up. Just conjecture, here-say and questionable texts created by ignorant ancient tribesmen.
...in response to this comment by Mikey. Tell me more about this orbiting teapot. That's something I can worship. :P
andrew
Sunday 3rd January 2010 | 07:36 PMBjork? why her?
Trent Greguhn
Monday 4th January 2010 | 03:54 AM...in response to this comment by Jim. It's Russell's teapot.
Russell said that if he proposed there was a teapot between Earth and Mars orbiting the sun no one would be able to disprove that it exists if he adds that it's too small to be seen by even our most powerful telescopes. He writes,
"But if I were to go on to say that, since my assertion cannot be disproved, it is an intolerable presumption on the part of human reason to doubt it, I should rightly be thought to be talking nonsense. If, however, the existence of such a teapot were affirmed in ancient books, taught as the sacred truth every Sunday, and instilled into the minds of children at school, hesitation to believe in its existence would become a mark of eccentricity and entitle the doubter to the attentions of the psychiatrist in an enlightened age or of the Inquisitor in an earlier time."
In essence it is ridiculous to believe in that teapot that can't be disproven based on human reason and the only reason God isn't dismissed by human reason is because he's been drilled into the subconcious of society for thousands of years.
Ireland is also bonkers for this.
I wonder how it will be policed. These guys seem to be getting away with it: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/02/2784356.htm
No more beer for me
Monday 4th January 2010 | 04:54 PMIsnt Dawkins a relentless felcher and Darwins corpse his fave anal receptical
I have more hidden, but true stories
but I wouldnt want to upset the atheist religious minorities round here
maitreya
Monday 4th January 2010 | 04:56 PMYou WILL remember my name
I promise you
Mini Mel
Monday 4th January 2010 | 05:29 PM...in response to this comment by Jim. i'd rather worship the beer god, and all its amber goodness...
...in response to this comment by Trent Greguhn. Thanks for the explanation. Upon hearing it, it does sound vaguely familiar. At first I thought Mikey was just pulling something out of his arse. :P
Though I have found why God hasn't proven his existence to us... http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=1750
Just for giggles, here's the list of said quotes. http://blasphemy.ie/2010/01/01/atheist-ireland-publishes-25-blasphemous-quotes/#more-721. I've seen the story a couple of places, but it took a bit to find them. I liked #4.
Trent Greguhn
Wednesday 6th January 2010 | 08:16 AM...in response to this comment by Jim. Oh man, I love Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal, one of the most clever web comics out there. Of course, now it all makes sense. We abused miracles and so God decided to bring down the ban hammer.
Jake Farr-Wharton
Sunday 3rd January 2010 | 04:13 PMHow can this be true? They're part of the monarchy!
This is disgusting! Why not rape the rights of your citizens so that they discuss religion.