Dawkins on Irish Blasphemy Law
July 12, 2009
A statement from Dawkins opposing the blasphemy law was read out on Saturday at the first annual meeting of Atheist Ireland.
“One of the world’s most beautiful and best-loved countries, Ireland has recently become one of the most respected as well: dynamic, go-ahead, modern, civilised – a green and pleasant silicon valley. This preposterous blasphemy law puts all that respect at risk.” He said it would be too kind to call the law a ridiculous anachronism.
“It is a wretched, backward, uncivilised regression to the middle ages. Who was the bright spark who thought to besmirch the revered name of Ireland by proposing anything so stupid?”
See here.
Some links:
- Atheist Ireland.
- www.blasphemy.ie – more on fighting the law
- www.countmeout.ie – information on formally leaving the Catholic church
- Humanist Association of Ireland
Oh God. Yes, this is indeed very embarrassing for us. Don’t worry, we’re making a concerted effort to have this removed as soon as humanly possible.
Sorry…
@Darwin
After 25 years living in the country, I know how it goes.
States in the USA have had more than their share of “blue laws.” Laws mandating versions of morality which seemed “right” to those who wrote them at the time.
Many states still have absurd laws on the books, simply because they’ve become lost in the pages of the law books and no one has bothered to remove them.
Case in point: it is illegal in Maricopa county Arizona for more than six women to reside at the same address. This was probably done to limit the size of whorehouses, but the law was still there the last I checked.
Hopefully this Irish law will go unenforced until it is removed.
@DLC
it is illegal in Maricopa county Arizona for more than six women to reside at the same address. This was probably done to limit the size of whorehouses, but the law was still there the last I checked.
I think that one was removed a few years back, if I remember correctly.
John: Looks like you’re right. My example was poorly chosen.
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