From today, 1 January 2010, the new Irish blasphemy law becomes operational, and we begin our campaign to have it repealed. Blasphemy is now a crime punishable by a €25,000 fine. The new law defines blasphemy as publishing or uttering matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion, with some defences permitted.
This new law is both silly and dangerous. It is silly because medieval religious laws have no place in a modern secular republic, where the criminal law should protect people and not ideas. And it is dangerous because it incentivises religious outrage, and because Islamic States led by Pakistan are already using the wording of this Irish law to promote new blasphemy laws at UN level.
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 civilised society, people have a right to to express and to hear ideas about religion even if other people find those ideas to be outrageous.
Publication of 25 blasphemous quotes
In this context we now publish a list of 25 blasphemous quotes, which have previously been published by or uttered by or attributed to Jesus Christ, Muhammad, Mark Twain, Tom Lehrer, Randy Newman, James Kirkup, Monty Python, Rev Ian Paisley, Conor Cruise O’Brien, Frank Zappa, Salman Rushdie, Bjork, Amanda Donohoe, George Carlin, Paul Woodfull, Jerry Springer the Opera, Tim Minchin, Richard Dawkins, Pope Benedict XVI, Christopher Hitchens, PZ Myers, Ian O’Doherty, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and Dermot Ahern.
Despite these quotes being abusive and insulting in relation to matters held sacred by various religions, we unreservedly support the right of these people to have published or uttered them, and we unreservedly support the right of any Irish citizen to make comparable statements about matters held sacred by any religion without fear of being criminalised, and without having to prove to a court that a reasonable person would find any particular value in the statement.
Campaign begins to repeal the Irish blasphemy law
We ask Fianna Fail and the Green Party to repeal their anachronistic blasphemy law, as part of the revision of the Defamation Act that is included within the Act. We ask them to hold a referendum to remove the reference to blasphemy from the Irish Constitution.
We also ask all TDs and Senators to support a referendum to remove references to God from the Irish Constitution, including the clauses that prevent atheists from being appointed as President of Ireland or as a Judge without swearing a religious oath asking God to direct them in their work.
If you run a website, blog or other media publication, please feel free to republish this statement and the list of quotes yourself, in order to show your support for the campaign to repeal the Irish blasphemy law and to promote a rational, ethical, secular Ireland.
List of 25 Blasphemous Quotes Published by Atheist Ireland
1. Jesus Christ, when asked if he was the son of God, in Matthew 26:64: “Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” According to the Christian Bible, the Jewish chief priests and elders and council deemed this statement by Jesus to be blasphemous, and they sentenced Jesus to death for saying it.
2. Jesus Christ, talking to Jews about their God, in John 8:44: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.” This is one of several chapters in the Christian Bible that can give a scriptural foundation to Christian anti-Semitism. The first part of John 8, the story of “whoever is without sin cast the first stone”, was not in the original version, but was added centuries later. The original John 8 is a debate between Jesus and some Jews. In brief, Jesus calls the Jews who disbelieve him sons of the Devil, the Jews try to stone him, and Jesus runs away and hides.
3. Muhammad, quoted in Hadith of Bukhari, Vol 1 Book 8 Hadith 427: “May Allah curse the Jews and Christians for they built the places of worship at the graves of their prophets.” This quote is attributed to Muhammad on his death-bed as a warning to Muslims not to copy this practice of the Jews and Christians. It is one of several passages in the Koran and in Hadith that can give a scriptural foundation to Islamic anti-Semitism, including the assertion in Sura 5:60 that Allah cursed Jews and turned some of them into apes and swine.
4. Mark Twain, describing the Christian Bible in Letters from the Earth, 1909: “Also it has another name – The Word of God. For the Christian thinks every word of it was dictated by God. It is full of interest. It has noble poetry in it; and some clever fables; and some blood-drenched history; and some good morals; and a wealth of obscenity; and upwards of a thousand lies… But you notice that when the Lord God of Heaven and Earth, adored Father of Man, goes to war, there is no limit. He is totally without mercy – he, who is called the Fountain of Mercy. He slays, slays, slays! All the men, all the beasts, all the boys, all the babies; also all the women and all the girls, except those that have not been deflowered. He makes no distinction between innocent and guilty… What the insane Father required was blood and misery; he was indifferent as to who furnished it.” Twain’s book was published posthumously in 1939. His daughter, Clara Clemens, at first objected to it being published, but later changed her mind in 1960 when she believed that public opinion had grown more tolerant of the expression of such ideas. That was half a century before Fianna Fail and the Green Party imposed a new blasphemy law on the people of Ireland.
5. Tom Lehrer, The Vatican Rag, 1963: “Get in line in that processional, step into that small confessional. There, the guy who’s got religion’ll tell you if your sin’s original. If it is, try playing it safer, drink the wine and chew the wafer. Two, four, six, eight, time to transubstantiate!”
6. Randy Newman, God’s Song, 1972: “And the Lord said: I burn down your cities – how blind you must be. I take from you your children, and you say how blessed are we. You all must be crazy to put your faith in me. That’s why I love mankind.”
7. James Kirkup, The Love That Dares to Speak its Name, 1976: “While they prepared the tomb I kept guard over him. His mother and the Magdalen had gone to fetch clean linen to shroud his nakedness. I was alone with him… I laid my lips around the tip of that great cock, the instrument of our salvation, our eternal joy. The shaft, still throbbed, anointed with death’s final ejaculation.” This extract is from a poem that led to the last successful blasphemy prosecution in Britain, when Denis Lemon was given a suspended prison sentence after he published it in the now-defunct magazine Gay News. In 2002, a public reading of the poem, on the steps of St. Martin-in-the-Fields church in Trafalgar Square, failed to lead to any prosecution. In 2008, the British Parliament abolished the common law offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel.
8. Matthias, son of Deuteronomy of Gath, in Monty Python’s Life of Brian, 1979: “Look, I had a lovely supper, and all I said to my wife was that piece of halibut was good enough for Jehovah.”
9. Rev Ian Paisley MEP to the Pope in the European Parliament, 1988: “I denounce you as the Antichrist.” Paisley’s website describes the Antichrist as being “a liar, the true son of the father of lies, the original liar from the beginning… he will imitate Christ, a diabolical imitation, Satan transformed into an angel of light, which will deceive the world.”
10. Conor Cruise O’Brien, 1989: “In the last century the Arab thinker Jamal al-Afghani wrote: ‘Every Muslim is sick and his only remedy is in the Koran.’ Unfortunately the sickness gets worse the more the remedy is taken.”
11. Frank Zappa, 1989: “If you want to get together in any exclusive situation and have people love you, fine – but to hang all this desperate sociology on the idea of The Cloud-Guy who has The Big Book, who knows if you’ve been bad or good – and cares about any of it – to hang it all on that, folks, is the chimpanzee part of the brain working.”
12. Salman Rushdie, 1990: “The idea of the sacred is quite simply one of the most conservative notions in any culture, because it seeks to turn other ideas – uncertainty, progress, change – into crimes.” In 1989, Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran issued a fatwa ordering Muslims to kill Rushdie because of blasphemous passages in Rushdie’s novel The Satanic Verses.
13. Bjork, 1995: “I do not believe in religion, but if I had to choose one it would be Buddhism. It seems more livable, closer to men… I’ve been reading about reincarnation, and the Buddhists say we come back as animals and they refer to them as lesser beings. Well, animals aren’t lesser beings, they’re just like us. So I say fuck the Buddhists.”
14. Amanda Donohoe on her role in the Ken Russell movie Lair of the White Worm, 1995: “Spitting on Christ was a great deal of fun. I can’t embrace a male god who has persecuted female sexuality throughout the ages, and that persecution still goes on today all over the world.”
15. George Carlin, 1999: “Religion easily has the greatest bullshit story ever told. Think about it. Religion has actually convinced people that there’s an invisible man living in the sky who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever ’til the end of time! But He loves you. He loves you, and He needs money! He always needs money! He’s all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing, and all-wise, somehow just can’t handle money! Religion takes in billions of dollars, they pay no taxes, and they always need a little more. Now, talk about a good bullshit story. Holy Shit!”
16. Paul Woodfull as Ding Dong Denny O’Reilly, The Ballad of Jaysus Christ, 2000: “He said me ma’s a virgin and sure no one disagreed, Cause they knew a lad who walks on water’s handy with his feet… Jaysus oh Jaysus, as cool as bleedin’ ice, With all the scrubbers in Israel he could not be enticed, Jaysus oh Jaysus, it’s funny you never rode, Cause it’s you I do be shoutin’ for each time I shoot me load.”
17. Jesus Christ, in Jerry Springer The Opera, 2003: “Actually, I’m a bit gay.” In 2005, the Christian Institute tried to bring a prosecution against the BBC for screening Jerry Springer the Opera, but the UK courts refused to issue a summons.
18. Tim Minchin, Ten-foot Cock and a Few Hundred Virgins, 2005: “So you’re gonna live in paradise, With a ten-foot cock and a few hundred virgins, So you’re gonna sacrifice your life, For a shot at the greener grass, And when the Lord comes down with his shiny rod of judgment, He’s gonna kick my heathen ass.”
19. Richard Dawkins in The God Delusion, 2006: “The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.” In 2007 Turkish publisher Erol Karaaslan was charged with the crime of insulting believers for publishing a Turkish translation of The God Delusion. He was acquitted in 2008, but another charge was brought in 2009. Karaaslan told the court that “it is a right to criticise religions and beliefs as part of the freedom of thought and expression.”
20. Pope Benedict XVI quoting a 14th century Byzantine emperor, 2006: “Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.” This statement has already led to both outrage and condemnation of the outrage. The Organisation of the Islamic Conference, the world’s largest Muslim body, said it was a “character assassination of the prophet Muhammad”. The Malaysian Prime Minister said that “the Pope must not take lightly the spread of outrage that has been created.” Pakistan’s foreign Ministry spokesperson said that “anyone who describes Islam as a religion as intolerant encourages violence”. The European Commission said that “reactions which are disproportionate and which are tantamount to rejecting freedom of speech are unacceptable.”
21. Christopher Hitchens in God is not Great, 2007: “There is some question as to whether Islam is a separate religion at all… Islam when examined is not much more than a rather obvious and ill-arranged set of plagiarisms, helping itself from earlier books and traditions as occasion appeared to require… It makes immense claims for itself, invokes prostrate submission or ‘surrender’ as a maxim to its adherents, and demands deference and respect from nonbelievers into the bargain. There is nothing-absolutely nothing-in its teachings that can even begin to justify such arrogance and presumption.”
22. PZ Myers, on the Roman Catholic communion host, 2008: “You would not believe how many people are writing to me, insisting that these horrible little crackers (they look like flattened bits of styrofoam) are literally pieces of their god, and that this omnipotent being who created the universe can actually be seriously harmed by some third-rate liberal intellectual at a third-rate university… However, inspired by an old woodcut of Jews stabbing the host, I thought of a simple, quick thing to do: I pierced it with a rusty nail (I hope Jesus’s tetanus shots are up to date). And then I simply threw it in the trash, followed by the classic, decorative items of trash cans everywhere, old coffeegrounds and a banana peel.”
23. Ian O’Doherty, 2009: “(If defamation of religion was illegal) it would be a crime for me to say that the notion of transubstantiation is so ridiculous that even a small child should be able to see the insanity and utter physical impossibility of a piece of bread and some wine somehow taking on corporeal form. It would be a crime for me to say that Islam is a backward desert superstition that has no place in modern, enlightened Europe and it would be a crime to point out that Jewish settlers in Israel who believe they have a God given right to take the land are, frankly, mad. All the above assertions will, no doubt, offend someone or other.”
24. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, 2009: “Whether a person is atheist or any other, there is in fact in my view something not totally human if they leave out the transcendent… we call it God… I think that if you leave that out you are not fully human.” Because atheism is not a religion, the Irish blasphemy law does not protect atheists from abusive and insulting statements about their fundamental beliefs. While atheists are not seeking such protection, we include the statement here to point out that it is discriminatory that this law does not hold all citizens equal.
25. Dermot Ahern, Irish Minister for Justice, introducing his blasphemy law at an Oireachtas Justice Committee meeting, 2009, and referring to comments made about him personally: “They are blasphemous.” Deputy Pat Rabbitte replied: “Given the Minister’s self-image, it could very well be that we are blaspheming,” and Minister Ahern replied: “Deputy Rabbitte says that I am close to the baby Jesus, I am so pure.” So here we have an Irish Justice Minister joking about himself being blasphemed, at a parliamentary Justice Committee discussing his own blasphemy law, that could make his own jokes illegal.
Finally, as a bonus, Micheal Martin, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, opposing attempts by Islamic States to make defamation of religion a crime at UN level, 2009: “We believe that the concept of defamation of religion is not consistent with the promotion and protection of human rights. It can be used to justify arbitrary limitations on, or the denial of, freedom of expression. Indeed, Ireland considers that freedom of expression is a key and inherent element in the manifestation of freedom of thought and conscience and as such is complementary to freedom of religion or belief.” Just months after Minister Martin made this comment, his colleague Dermot Ahern introduced Ireland’s new blasphemy law.
Excellent! Congratulations on publishing this. The nonsense that is the Irish blasphemy law is something that belongs in the Dark Ages and must be challenged until it is repealed.
Comment by Alan Henness — January 1, 2010 @ 1:22 am
fantastic!!
Comment by Helen Simmons — January 1, 2010 @ 1:58 am
I see this is an Irish-hosted page. In case I happen to step foot in your country before this law is repealed, I have this to say:
The Catholic religion is bollocks, run by a bunch of grubby old pederasts who have no clue about the real world. They would be better off wiped from the face of the earth, along with their gold, their monuments, and their ridiculous, shameful, medieval dogma.
and:
God is dead.
Thank you.
Timothy Paul Singer, resident of Murfreesboro, TN, USA
Comment by Timothy Singer — January 1, 2010 @ 2:09 am
The “virgin” Mary was so-called because she preferred to take it up the ass when she partied with the shepherds of Judea. Joseph was well aware of this, in fact it was this reputation that attracted him to her. Hence his surprise when she got pregnant. Apparently it was easier to believe the child was the son of God than that some of Joseph’s jizz had dribbled into Mary’s blessed vagina after he pulled out of her ass.
Comment by dave — January 1, 2010 @ 2:17 am
Jesus was a lying bastard son of a whore!
Comment by Cyberguy — January 1, 2010 @ 2:40 am
I deny the holy spirit!
Comment by Kamlem — January 1, 2010 @ 2:43 am
If I can’t say anything mean about God then they can’t say anything mean about my imaginary friends.
Comment by anonymouse — January 1, 2010 @ 2:46 am
Please oh tell me please where can I write to to make a really out there blasphmey remark ….the 25 listed are far to tame….lets really make a clear passage that calls a spade a spade ….don’t care which faith you pick although I must admit I am partial to giving it to the German sheppard Benny….
I wonder what it will take …how far will we have to go before this gets to court ….if it goes to court I will travel Ireland just to see the trial….it cannot happen soon enough for me…..BRING IT ON !!!!…If it gets to TV it will be better than the world cup final !! …….YAHOOOO
Comment by Dave — January 1, 2010 @ 2:55 am
JEHOVAH!
Comment by bruceo — January 1, 2010 @ 3:06 am
Read this and weep; for shame that a modern state like Ireland could pass such a mediæval law, and for joy that there are people brave enough to stand up and cry “Enough!”
We should be allowed to defend our beliefs; and that means that others must be allowed to attack them. For it is in defending our beliefs that we hone and define them.
Otherwise I plan to go home to Cork and sue everyone who claims that the FSM does not exist or is a parody.
Comment by Tigger_the_Wing — January 1, 2010 @ 3:32 am
Destroy this law.
Destroy the stupidity that blasphemy is a crime.
Faith is no reason!
Comment by Colin W Hughes — January 1, 2010 @ 3:38 am
The Flying Spaghetti Monster is mushy and clearly overcooked.
Comment by Hughes — January 1, 2010 @ 3:43 am
I demand that this Sunday, all bishops of the Catholic Church in Ireland be arrested at Mass for blaspheming by violating the word of God:
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:5-8)
And just in case I decide to pay a visit to Ireland: fuck Jesus, Yahweh, Danu, Mohammed, Xenu, Wotan, and any other deities or prophets people follow in Ireland.
– William Rubenstein, of San Francisco, CA, USA
(I hope you wrote that down, Irish customs authorities!)
Comment by wlrube — January 1, 2010 @ 3:46 am
why was Jesus a lucky guy?
-cuz he got nailed three times in one night!
Why could jesus walk on water?
-Cuz bullshit floats
Why does Jesus make a bad hockey player?
- He keeps on getting nailed to the boards
Whats the difference between a priest and a pimple?
-the pimple waits until your 13 to come on your face!
a priest, a rapist, and a pedophile walk into a bar…
-no punch line because its all one guy
Comment by cranberry — January 1, 2010 @ 4:08 am
Nothing from Ingersoll? Come on!
“How has the church in every age, when in authority, defended itself? Always by a statute against blasphemy, against argument, against free speech. And there never was such a statute that did not stain the book that it was in and that did not certify to the savagery of the men who passed it.”
– Robert G. Ingersoll
Keep up the good fight!
Comment by kris — January 1, 2010 @ 4:19 am
As an Irishman, let me say this, “Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and every other form of faith based religious belief is the result in the faith of dogma, delusion, idiocy and fantasy. Any rational human being who puts blind faith in the unknowable is an inherently deluded and foolish dreamer, and any law that tries to protect enlightened and logical criticism from piercing the sanctity of religious delusion has no place in Ireland in the 21’st century. Furthermore, whichever law makers who shit this law into motion should be laughed off the island of Ireland and treated like the stupid morons that they are.”
Come and get me, you stupid fucks.
Comment by Nick — January 1, 2010 @ 4:20 am
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again:
If your religion is incompatible with free speech, the problem isn’t with free speech.
Comment by Raven — January 1, 2010 @ 4:21 am
I am quite disturbed by these developments, it seems the civilized world truly is at its end…
I do wonder though, what manner of poor education serves Ireland that such a law could still come to pass?
Comment by Anon — January 1, 2010 @ 4:41 am
@ Nick
But the problem is they already made it happen, and you’ll be in jail…
Anyone else feeling suicidal? Oo
Comment by Anon — January 1, 2010 @ 4:43 am
[...] Norte, entrou há poucas horas em vigor a nova lei da blasfémia na Irlanda. E os nossos colegas irlandeses já se encarregaram de ser os primeiros a prevaricar, convidando o resto da malta a [...]
Pingback by O primeiro post da década | Portal Ateu — January 1, 2010 @ 4:48 am
If there were a god as described in the bible I would place him on trial for crimes against humanity. Oh, and by the way, I don’t believe I’m guilty of blasphemy saying this as there is nothing to blaspheme against.
Neil H.
Ex-Fundie, Astronomer, Freethinker, Atheist
Whitby, Ontario
Comment by Neil H. — January 1, 2010 @ 5:43 am
¡Me cago en los veinticuatro cojones de los apóstolos de jesus!
Comment by jefe — January 1, 2010 @ 5:54 am
ok, how’s this:
The Flying Spaghetti Monster has shriveled balls!
Too bad I’m not in .ie
Comment by Jerry — January 1, 2010 @ 6:08 am
Can I suggest making a print friendly version?
Use this subject to highlight the need to remove the church’s control of 95% of primary schools.
Comment by Brian — January 1, 2010 @ 6:10 am
¡Me cago en la puta virgen!
Comment by jefe — January 1, 2010 @ 6:53 am
Muhammed (piss be upon him) blows gay camels!
Comment by jefe — January 1, 2010 @ 6:53 am
No Surrealist quotes? For shame. Definitely needs some Georges Bataille, Benjamin Peret, or Antonin Artaud Also needs more Marquis de Sade or Charles Baudelaire.
And this lovely passage:
“And so, one day, tired of trudging along the steep path on this earthly journey, trudging along like a drunkard through the dark catacombs of life, I slowly raised my splenetic eyes, ringed with bluish circles, towards the concavity of the firmament and I, who was so young, dared to penetrate the mysteries of heaven! Not finding what I was seeking, I lifted my eyes higher, and higher still, until I saw a throne made of human excrement and gold, on which was sitting – with idiotic pride, his body draped in a shroud of unwashed hospital linen – he who calls himself the Creator! He was holding in his hand the rotten body of a dead man, carrying it in turn from his eyes to his nose and from his nose to his mouth; and once it reached his mouth, one can guess what he did with it. His feet were dipped in a huge pool of boiling blood, on the surface of which two or three cautious heads would suddenly rise up like tapeworms in a chamber-pot, and as suddenly submerge again, swift as an arrow. A kick on the bone of the nose was the familiar reward for any infringement of regulations occasioned by the need to breathe a different atmosphere; for, after all, these men were not fish. Though amphibious at best, they were swimming underwater in this vile liquid!…until, finding his hands empty, the Creator with the first two claws of his foot, would grab another diver by the neck, as with pincers, and lift him into the air, out of the reddish slime, delicious sauce. And this one was treated in the same way as his predecessor. First he ate his head, then his legs and arms, and last of all, the trunk, until there was nothing left; for he crunched the bones as well. And so it continues, for all the hours of eternity. Sometimes, he would shout: “I created you, so I have the right to do whatever I like to you. You have done nothing to me, I do not deny it. I am making you suffer for my own pleasure.” And he would continue his savage meal, moving his lower jaw, which in turn moved his brain-bespattered beard.
-Comte de Lautreamont (Isidore Ducasse), ‘Les Chants de Maldoror’ (translation by Alexis Lykiard)
Comment by Cernunnos Trismegistus — January 1, 2010 @ 7:13 am
We in the United States are overrun by the willfully ignorant and the deluded, but I’m afraid your legislators have surpassed even our level of stupidity. It’s surprising that any modern country could pass such a foul law. I am truly sad for the people of Ireland.
Comment by John the Aggravator — January 1, 2010 @ 7:14 am
If a deity has a problem with what is being said or printed, let the spineless bastard unequivocally speak for itself.
Comment by Denise — January 1, 2010 @ 7:53 am
If Jesus is the answer, … could you please repeat the question?
Comment by Daniel McCoy — January 1, 2010 @ 8:01 am
Thomas Jefferson:
“…our civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions, any more than our opinions in physics or geometry; that therefore the proscribing any citizen as unworthy the public confidence by laying upon him an incapacity of being called to offices of trust and emolument, unless he profess or renounce this or that religious opinion, is depriving him injuriously of those privileges and advantages to which in common with his fellow-citizens he has a natural right. …”
Jefferson also edited his own version of the new testament story of Jesus, which ended like so:
“Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus,
And rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.”
The end.
Comment by Daniel McCoy — January 1, 2010 @ 8:13 am
Great collection of quotes, thank you very much. I’ve tweeted it on (from @omaniblog) saying that even if you’re not an atheist, it is a useful collection.
Hopefully we’ll see a serious prosecution all the way to the highest court in Ireland.
Comment by Paul O'Mahony (Cork) — January 1, 2010 @ 8:36 am
So Ireland is taking a plunge back into the Dark Ages.
Not that the Irish ever fully got out of same Dark Ages with the RCC of Paedophilia as a revered institution. Good clergy is at its best as shark bait!
Comment by shonny — January 1, 2010 @ 9:24 am
[...] Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes Posted on January 1st, 2010 by Jason Below is a repost from blasphemy.ie [...]
Pingback by Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes « Mid-west Humanists – An Irish Atheist Community — January 1, 2010 @ 10:00 am
Just submitted some blasphemy to David Quinn’s blog at The Irish Catholic.
Can’t say I expect a Euro extradition warrant to get me when I don’t pay the fine , which I doubt I’ll get.
My comment not yet published , but maybe sending it to Mr. Quinn will be enough.
Your courts will be gridlocked.
PB – England.
Comment by PB — January 1, 2010 @ 10:03 am
[...] From the Blasphemy.ie website: [...]
Pingback by John Mortell’s blog :: Blasphemy is now a crime in Ireland… — January 1, 2010 @ 10:48 am
[...] From the Blasphemy.ie website: [...]
Pingback by John Mortell’s blog — January 1, 2010 @ 10:50 am
[...] leave a comment » Blasphemy is now a crime punishable by a €25,000 fine. The new law defines blasphemy as publishing or uttering matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion… Read more… [...]
Pingback by The new Irish blasphemy law becomes operational « Eye on Religion — January 1, 2010 @ 10:57 am
Howzabout some Usenet classic from alt.tasteless?
“I shit on your filthy christ”
Comment by Smitty GinchyTrousers III — January 1, 2010 @ 11:06 am
blasphemy law? surely that’s against my human rights? no? well then, come and get me.
fuck your god, fuck your church, fuck your pathetic childish beliefs, fuck your peadophile, mysogynistic, homophobic, warmongering prophet, fuck your re-incarnation bollocks, fuck your holy days, and fuck your outdated stupid law.
Comment by g. martin-royle — January 1, 2010 @ 11:51 am
Not having seen the language of the new law I am left wondering how it defines the actions that cause offence. I assume that, since this is a blasphemy law, it says something like “to utter or to write”. On the other hand, it could be broader – “to undertake any action”. If it is broader, it should be pointed out that there are plenty of religious people who find the mere existence of atheists outrageous. If so, atheists could perhaps be prosecuted for their existence. Even if that is too much of a stretch, surely many theists find its outrageous that many atheists are willing to publicly state that they are nonbelievers. Indeed, I expect that many theists find it outrageous that there are people who are willing to state their disbelief in their particular god, even if those people do happen to believe in some other deity. This makes it potentially possible to prosecute everyone, since everyone does not believe in somebody else’s god.
Comment by Konrad Talmont-Kaminski — January 1, 2010 @ 11:51 am
The Scientologists are outraged by the things that psychologists say, BTW. A quick and easy revenue stream right there.
Comment by Konrad Talmont-Kaminski — January 1, 2010 @ 11:53 am
Bugger God.
Comment by Joe Fogey — January 1, 2010 @ 11:56 am
OK, found the relevant passage in the Bill, I think. “Publishes or utters blasphemous matter” is the phrase. So, it is the narrower definition. The definition of blasphemy has three parts that must all be satisfied, also. Do people know where to find a good discussion of the details of this law?
Comment by Konrad Talmont-Kaminski — January 1, 2010 @ 12:01 pm
They’re asking for a donkey trial of their very own!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_Reve#Controversies
Yes, this guy wrote about having been visited by God in the form of a donkey, having intercourse with the donkey, got acquitted. The prosecutors didn’t have a political career anymore afterwards.
Nowadays, whenever a blasfemy trial is suggested in Holland, someone just sniggers “donkey trial”, and that’s the end of the matter.
Comment by smallcatharine — January 1, 2010 @ 12:03 pm
I find it hard to know what a religious person may consider to be blasphemy, but probably The Law of Freedom in a Platform by Gerrard Winstanley is full of it, although he uses the religious language of the day to make his case. (See online text at http://www.bilderberg.org/land/lawofree.htm!]) He had very pointed things to say about the role of priests in preserving their own function and the established order which seem pertinent to this issue:
For so long as the people call that a truth which they call a truth, and believe what they preach, and are willing to let the clergy be the keepers of their eyes and knowledge (that is as much as Nahash did, put out their eyes to see by theirs); then all is well, and they tell the people they shall go to heaven.
But if the eyes of the people begin to open, and they seek to find knowledge in their own hearts and to question the ministers’ doctrine, and become like unto wise-hearted Thomas, to believe nothing but what they see reason for:
Then do the minsters prepare war against that man or men, and will make no covenant of peace with him till they consent to have their right eyes put out, that is, to have their reason blinded, so as to believe every doctrine they preach and never question any thing, saying, ‘The doctrine of faith must not be tried by reason.’ No, for if it be, their mystery of iniquity will be discovered, and they would lose their tithes.
Comment by Paul — January 1, 2010 @ 12:17 pm
Just a note of support to you guys from across the Irish Sea.
I see that one of the people you quote will be visiting Ireland shortly. As he says in his blog, that could be interesting.
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/12/uh-oh_you_people_will_bail_me.php
Comment by David B — January 1, 2010 @ 12:18 pm
Tis a shame to be shur, no mor can we curse when we stub me toe!
Fuck me jeesus, Mohammed, Mary mother, christ dat takes it up the arse.
What has the world come to?
I did not know Ireland had Ragheads? The whole world is going to Shiate,
We need to bring out a new brand of toilet paper.
Athiest Double Ply, made from the Koran and the Bible and start wiping our arses with it.
I feel yur pain Ireland.
Comment by Mr.Haywood Jablome — January 1, 2010 @ 12:24 pm
Galileo was found “vehemently suspect of heresy,” namely of having held the opinions that the Sun lies motionless at the centre of the universe, that the Earth is not at its centre and moves, and that one may hold and defend an opinion as probable after it has been declared contrary to Holy Scripture. He was required to “abjure, curse and detest” those opinions.
He was ordered imprisoned; the sentence was later commuted to house arrest.
Comment by jj — January 1, 2010 @ 12:25 pm
If I don’t believe in your god, do I still have to roast in your hell?
Here is some blaspheme for you.
Jesus and god can take a great big lick off of my shi**y ass.
Amen.
Please don’t put me in your Irish blaspheme jail, please.
Comment by Terry, Winslow, AZ — January 1, 2010 @ 12:25 pm
[...] you run a website, blog or other media publication, please feel free to republish this statement and the list of quotes yourself, in order to show your support for the campaign to repeal the Irish [...]
Pingback by Blasphemy, blasphemy, could it now mean a blast for me… | The Botheration Log — January 1, 2010 @ 12:26 pm
[...] Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes [...]
Pingback by Happy New Censorship! « League of Reason — January 1, 2010 @ 12:29 pm
This law is absurd and unrealistic. I find it amazing that it ever got passed in the first place.
Comment by Kristian — January 1, 2010 @ 12:31 pm
[...] Careful what you say in Ireland… - (tip to pharyngula) [...]
Pingback by New Years Links « freecloud — January 1, 2010 @ 12:31 pm
You can say all you want about that whore Mary who got pregnant before she was married or her “confirmed bachelor” son…but don’t you DARE say anything bad about the Flying Spaghetti Monster [PBUH]
Comment by Pam Ellis — January 1, 2010 @ 12:36 pm
Wait, I forgot to make a likeness of Mohammad, just so the Islamists can go batshit.
O
- -
| <——– FuckStick Mohammad
|
- -
Comment by George — January 1, 2010 @ 12:41 pm
“”Do you believe in God, doctor?”
“No – but what does that really mean? I’m fumbling in the dark, struggling to make something out. But I’ve long ceased finding that original.”"
— Albert Camus (The Plague)
This “law” probably stems from some self asserting virtue and fear of some bearded fascists who happen from time to time to threaten the free minded ones.
Comment by JC — January 1, 2010 @ 12:48 pm
“God is not needed to create guilt or to punish. Our fellow men suffice, aided by ourselves. You were speaking of the Last Judgement. Allow me to laugh respectfully. I shall wait for it resolutely, for I have known what is worse, the judgement of men. For them, no extenuating circumstances; even the good intention is ascribed to crime. Have you at least heard of the spitting cell, which a nation recently thought up to prove itself the greatest on earth? A walled-up box in which the prisoner can stand without moving. The solid door that locks him in the cement shell stops at chin level. Hence only his face is visible, and every passing jailer spits copiously on it. The prisoner, wedged into his cell, cannot wipe his face, though he is allowed, it is true. to close his eyes. Well, that, mon cher, is a human invention. They didn’t need God for that little masterpiece.”
— Albert Camus (The Fall)
Comment by JC — January 1, 2010 @ 12:49 pm
I feel that this story is a bit biased…. wow.
Comment by HappyPanda — January 1, 2010 @ 12:55 pm
And, honestly…. a little insulting…
Comment by HappyPanda — January 1, 2010 @ 12:56 pm
I appreciate the initiative, but is this list needs more work, there are far more incendiary commentaries which need to be included; to show the true backwardness and absurdity of religion, far more serious verbal bitch-slapping is required.
Comment by Paul — January 1, 2010 @ 12:58 pm
Is this the ultimate Irish Joke ?
Religion (yes, all of them) sucks – sucks the life out of otherwise thinking, reasoning people.
I blaspheme against the idiotic idea of supernatural beings and those that knowing perpetrate these falsehoods, but feel only pity for the victims.
Ireland punishers those who criticise ideas and lets child molesting organisations and individuals walk free.
Somehow, that seems the greater crime.
Comment by Mike from Melbourne — January 1, 2010 @ 12:58 pm
The Holy Ghost blows goats…
…and enjoys it.
Comment by Damien Trotter — January 1, 2010 @ 12:58 pm
A quote from one of Éire’s most famous sons:
“Imagine there’s no heaven. It’s easy if you try.”
Comment by Hans — January 1, 2010 @ 12:59 pm
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is now on the Leaving Cert Curriculum. Can students be prosecuted if they use quotes in exam answers?
Comment by Robin Hanan — January 1, 2010 @ 1:00 pm
The only ones that have a problem with the new blasphemy laws are those they can’t understand and accept a place in formalised religion.
You can always leave the country if you have a problem with the laws of the land.
“The devil can cite script for his own end” – Shylock (Merchant of Venice)
Comment by Hansel — January 1, 2010 @ 1:08 pm
I think the morons who thought up this idiotic law have no idea of the Pandora’s box they have opened.
“We have more Gods than you can shake a stick at. Godchecker’s Mythology Encyclopedia currently features over 2,850 deities.”
http://www.godchecker.com/
This could be lots of fun, think of all the possibilities for blasphemy and consequent legal action.
Is there perchance a publicly traded Irish Law firm that might litigate these cases? I’d like to buy some stock now while the price is low. We are going to be rich! Well if nothing else, infinitely rich in possibilities for ridicule. LOL!
Comment by Fred Magyar — January 1, 2010 @ 1:22 pm
“Is that a good Christ, says Bob Doran, to take away poor little Willy Dignam?
Ah, well, says Alf, trying to pass it off. He’s over all his troubles.
But Bob Doran shouts out of him.
He’s a bloody ruffian I say, to take away poor little Willy Dignam.”
James Joyce, Ulysses
Comment by Robin Hanan — January 1, 2010 @ 1:24 pm
Jesus fucking Mohammed fucking Vishnu fucking Xenu. It’s the four-way-fuck of faith!
Comment by dave — January 1, 2010 @ 1:35 pm
Anyone with a legal knowledge read the piece of legislation that was passed? Surely there is some way it can be challenged? Something this ridiculous and dangerous shouldn’t just be ignored.
Comment by Jim — January 1, 2010 @ 1:42 pm
I’m okay with Jesus, it’s his ‘followers’ I can’t stand.
Comment by Michael K. — January 1, 2010 @ 1:49 pm
Why can’t we all just get along?
I mean Holy Hajib Batman.
Mohummed looks down upon the Justice League building and see’s Wonder Woman, naked as the day she was born sun baking. Her huge amazonian breasts glistening in the golden light. She moans softly, her eyes closed. She’s sexually aroused. Mohummed licks his lips, “She’s a little old but Shiate, I’ll have a chop at her persian forrest!” He jumps on board and humps away screaming Allah Ackbad, Allah Ackbad Take my mighty Choad and three hairy balls you Amazonian Infidel. Spills his load and quick as a flash disappears. Wonder Woman sits up startled? What the FUCK was that?
The invisible man ontop of hee materialises “I don’t know but my arse is killing me”
Comment by Mr.Mike Litoris — January 1, 2010 @ 1:51 pm
Mallacht mo chait orthu go leir mar dheithe.
Comment by washingtonian — January 1, 2010 @ 1:59 pm
When did the irish become puppets of American evangelisism? It’s good to see that every country can be bought by dollars. I guess? (i grew up where money counts, not education or spelling) I like mark Twain though and franz kafka and James dickey and on the weekends a tad bit of Hemmingway. Hey kids, check out Maka (velly?) something the next time you guys start writing laws and stuff. He’s kind of a cool guy, ‘cept he is evil they say, but probably not blas fe mus. Hell, I cant even spell that word. Thank God there (they’re?) are people out their that no what that word means. Greetings and good from capitol Lobbyiest (that means we will “vote” for your cause if you pay us:))
Comment by bull winkle — January 1, 2010 @ 2:04 pm
I thought no: 72 was a real hoot.
God Bless you All
Comment by Mr.I P Freely - Inurbed — January 1, 2010 @ 2:09 pm
I visited the Republic seven years ago and want to return. But how can I and feel safe with the government’s thought gestapo on every corner? Given the disgrace the entire RCC and its leadership at all levels have brought to Ireland, I can see why the RCC wants blasphemous laws.
If I should ever afford to return to Ireland I won’t. Scotland is just a little further east and centuries ahead of Ireland.
Comment by John Norris — January 1, 2010 @ 2:09 pm
Interesting law…
How does it work? When a catholic priest claims that Jesus is the son of god, can the priest be accused of blasphemy by a rabbi? And when a Hindu prays to several gods is this not blasphemy from the Islamic viewpoint?
Comment by einar — January 1, 2010 @ 2:10 pm
“the criminal law should protect people and not ideas”
Isn’t the laws for free speech a way to protect the idea of democracy?
Comment by Joakim Rosqvist — January 1, 2010 @ 2:13 pm
Is this the end for O’Casey’s “Juno and the Paycock”? “Captain” Jack Boyle’s poem says,
“He was not what some call pious – seldom at church or prayer;
For the greatest scoundrels I know, sir, goes every Sunday there.”
This is offensive to the lord’s flock. But maybe it could be performed in “heathen” England.
Comment by michael mcguire — January 1, 2010 @ 2:14 pm
I would love to be a litigation lawyer in Ireland.
They will make a mint out of this law.
I hope the Pakis fail in their efforts to bring this in at the UN.
Allah help us all.
Even Allah can take a joke right?
Comment by Mohamma Dumadingdong — January 1, 2010 @ 2:24 pm
Quote 66:
“You can always leave the country if you have a problem with the laws of the land.”
What a dismal state the world would be in if everyone just ran away from unjust laws instead of staying to face them down and get them changed.
You seem to be implying that only the non religious have anything to fear from this stupid law. Do you believe this to be the case in spite of the fact that the 25 quotes have been carefully selected to include those that involve religions blaspheming against each other?
I do not need to run away as I live in the UK where an unenforcable blasphemy law has been in place for most of my life and has only recently been abolished.
Comment by Stonyground — January 1, 2010 @ 2:35 pm
This is so incredibly sad. I hope you manage to boycott the ridiculous law to oblivion – it’s mindbogglingly stupid that there was a single person in your government that allowed it to be passed.
Comment by Kodi — January 1, 2010 @ 2:36 pm
Being a Half Irish Half Aboriginal Aussie I can say this sucks balls Mate. Any you fucks have somthing to say about the Rainbow Serpeant ….well go right ahead.
Was not born with a stick up my ass.
Cheers Mate!!
Lepra Coon (outback, NT Australia)
Comment by Lepra Coon — January 1, 2010 @ 2:49 pm
Anyone who believes in any sort of god is a complete and utter moron.
Comment by Anachrist — January 1, 2010 @ 2:51 pm
Pam (#55), thou dost blaspheme against the great and powerful FSM: the proper thing to say when invoking His holy name is “Sauce Be Upon Him” (SBUH).
Comment by jefe — January 1, 2010 @ 3:02 pm
Everyone should use this occasion to create an International Blasphemy Day! This law is garbage and shouldn’t be taken serious. People should continue to blaspheme, and do everything they can to flout this law. Don’t pay the fines. Hunger strike if arrested. Freedom of speech is important. There is no “freedom to not be offended.”
Comment by Darius Thomson — January 1, 2010 @ 3:09 pm
#74 – bull winkle
Living here in the US I can assure you that there is no limit in our ability to outrage and insult Christians. It happens all the time, and it doesn’t take much effort. There’s absolutely no campaign I’m aware of on their part to create any draconian law of this sort, as it is unconstitutional to our 1st Constitutional Amendment. The Muslims, however… …to blaspheme them or their God can get you into trouble; lawsuits, harassment, threats, news stories suggesting a racist agenda. There’s a double-standard here for them.
Comment by Darius Thomson — January 1, 2010 @ 3:15 pm
This is the kinda thing that really pisses me off and I’ve had a helluva week.
Comment by Charlie Sheen — January 1, 2010 @ 3:16 pm
#85 – jefe
Well, P can stand for Prego or pesto.
rAmen
Comment by Pam Ellis — January 1, 2010 @ 3:24 pm
Now I believe in this and its been tested by research, that he who fucks nuns will later join the church.
Comment by Col — January 1, 2010 @ 3:27 pm
Fuck God, fuck Allah, fuck Yahweh, fuck Jesus Christ, fuck Mary, fuck the Pope, fuck Mohammed – that evil child-molesting louse – and fuck every single imbecile who believes in, worships or reveres any of these individuals, real or imaginary.
Comment by Jack Rawlinson — January 1, 2010 @ 3:44 pm
@Stonyground you live in the UK.. I find it strange how you take an interest in a minor Irish Law…and yet you as a nation stand idly by as one of your own is unjustly executed in China… Great to see priorities here..
Comment by Hansel — January 1, 2010 @ 3:48 pm
bull winkle >>> The problem isn’t American Evangelism (which is a problem), it is virulent political correctness that holds such a death grip over Europe. These blasphemy laws aren’t in place to protect Christian sensibilities, Christians are for the most part used to hearing their religion mocked, but rather to protect Muslim sensibilities. I am not defending religion, I think the world would ultimately be a much better place without it. The Irish and Europeans in general need to grow a set of balls. People need to realize that protection against religious discrimination is one thing, but protection from being “offended” is something completely different.
Comment by Kopernikas — January 1, 2010 @ 3:49 pm
“Anyone that believes in any form of god is moron”
Well said.. now back with your tail between your legs under the table of the secular state…
Comment by Hansel — January 1, 2010 @ 3:50 pm
Response to Nick #16.. 01/01/2010 4:20 AM
Thank you for the brilliant clarity of your summation. “… the faith of … delusion…”
Dead center bullseye.
And think, THINK, for the love of all things lost, how much suffering– in every country on every continent– has been inspired by these carefully crafted delusions!! MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS of human lives have been snuffed through the centuries, not because of anything tangible and meaningful, but in the name of delusional IDEAS about the invisible and unprovable.
It’s aSTONishing. Electrochemical processes buzzing inside the heads of certain key delusionals throughout history have tangled and confused and destroyed what could otherwise have been a pleasant humanity.
Human beings’ supposedly greatest asset– the lauded ability to think– has been responsible for so much that is good and wonderful. But also, by FAR, the most destructive force on Earth.
The great jester/philosopher George Carlin expressed so much in these words late in life: “I sort of gave up on this whole human adventure a long time ago, divorced myself from it emotionally… I think the human race has squandered its gift…”
Comment by Maxblitz — January 1, 2010 @ 3:56 pm
I find anytime we talk about religion or politics it ends up in an argument ,fight or war. I never discuss my ideas on those subjects.
Comment by Don — January 1, 2010 @ 3:57 pm
Looks like Ireland is off my places to visit for a while…
Comment by Bob — January 1, 2010 @ 4:00 pm
Thank god I’m an atheist.
Comment by colin kirby — January 1, 2010 @ 4:01 pm
Always wanted to take a vacation to Ireland. As an atheist I would have to think twice about it now.
Comment by Brandon — January 1, 2010 @ 4:13 pm
God does not exist. It is just a fantasy of your imaginations.
The blasphemy of the day :
GOD IS A MORON.
Comment by Adam from Paris, France — January 1, 2010 @ 4:22 pm
@commenter 49
The sun is not motionless at the centre of the universe. It may be motionless at the centre of the solar system, but that is another matter.
@blasphemy.ie
Good on you for digging out the comments in the main post. Check out: http://bullsxvi.blogspot.com/2009/05/national-blasphemy-day.html
Comment by Póló — January 1, 2010 @ 4:22 pm
The Minister of medieval mythology has really put the mental into fundamental and taken out the fun out of it with this paddywhackery legislation,which shower of ignorant religious fascists was he pandering to? Has to be either the Christian or Islamic crackpots,they both make me sick.
Comment by tony fitz — January 1, 2010 @ 4:27 pm
Great stuff. Hit back. Burn the religio crazies. What we need to do is post blasphemous comments everywhere. On our own websites. Facebook, Twitter, anywhere you can tap out blasphemy. Not just in Ireland. The world over. Do something like the Rage Against The Machine For Xmas Number 1. Get hundreds of thousands of people around the globe blaspheming EVERY DAY for a month.
Comment by Jimmy Lee Shreeve — January 1, 2010 @ 4:35 pm
Actually, can I sue someone for eating spaghetti because I am a follower of FSM? Can my friend sue me for eating beef because the cow is sacred to him? And how dare you talk about science in negative manner? I think everyone should start suing like crazy because a lot of things said and done are offensive, if you think about it. Rediculous.
PS: Oops, do I get sued for saying rediculous to the law?
Comment by AAB — January 1, 2010 @ 4:41 pm
Other great quotes from music:
Voltaire (the singer)
God Thinks
God thinks all blacks are obsolete farm equipment
God thinks the Jews killed his son and must be punished
God thinks the white man is Satan
God, they know what God thinks
God thinks we should all convert to Judaism
God thinks we must all be Christians and
God thinks we should all embrace Islam
God thinks the only true religion is Hinduism
And I
I know what God thinks
God thinks you’re a waste of flesh
God prefers an Atheist
God God
God thinks all people like you are hateful
God thinks all people like you are an embarrassment to creation
self-righteous, judgmental, first to throw a stone
and using His name for your own protection
God thinks the sun revolves around the Earth
God thinks there was something very wrong with Copernicus
God thinks abortion is murder and
God thinks everything that science gave us is wrong
God thinks women deserve it
God thinks AIDS is a form of punishment
I hate people who blame the Devil for their own shortcomings and
I hate people who thank God when things go right
And I
I know what God thinks
God thinks you’re an idiot
God prefers a heretic
God God
God thinks all people like you are hateful
God thinks all people like you are an embarrassment to creation
self-righteous, judgmental, first to throw the stone
and using His name for your own agenda
God is a liberal
God is a democrat
God wants you to vote republican
never trust a man who puts his words in the mouth of god
and says it’s absolute truth
its lies and it smells like death
its all in a day’s work taking money from the poor
Why do you think that God would need your dirty money
if He wants to start a holy war?
self-righteous, judgmental, first to throw a stone
and using His name for your own protection
And the classic:
XTC
Dear God
I won’t believe in heaven and hell. No saints, no sinners, no
Devil as well. No pearly gates, no thorny crown. You’re always
Letting us humans down. The wars you bring, the babes you
Drown. Those lost at sea and never found, and it’s the same the
Whole world ’round. The hurt I see helps to compound that
Father, Son and Holy Ghost is just somebody’s unholy hoax,
And if you’re up there you’d perceive that my heart’s here upon
My sleeve. If there’s one thing I don’t believe in
It’s you….
Comment by MusicFan — January 1, 2010 @ 4:48 pm
We Canadians thought that Ireland was the model beacon of modern thinking and innovation – when did you revert back to the Dark Ages. I beginning to think it’s true – Charlemagne and Roland stopped the Muslims in the Dark Ages and prevented Europe from becoming a slum – but now they are taking it over by their numbers. The world was a better place for having Europe as it was in the past – the world will suffer from having an islamic Europe.
Comment by jo.arjee — January 1, 2010 @ 5:01 pm
Mah Gawd is gonna kee-yull ya fer talkin’ like thet, then He’s gonna thuh-row ya in a lake o’ boilin’ snot an’ set in ta pullin’ a endless trotline outa yore ass.
Gawd is LOVE!
Sincerely,
Cletus J. Dimbulb
Comment by wwcd — January 1, 2010 @ 5:10 pm
When you claim to believe in an imaginary friend who loves everyone and wants to condemn others to eternal torture and torment, you deserve to be laughed at and ridiculed. Religion is the root of all evil.
I live in Birmingham, AL, USA. Come and get me. I’ve always wanted to see Ireland.
Comment by CLSteadham — January 1, 2010 @ 5:37 pm
Take your Jesus and Mary and shove it up your ass.
There is no hell or heaven when it comes our time to pass.
It’s just a Bronze Age mythology,
Read some Darwin and biology.
So take your God damn religion and shove it up your ass.
Take your “praise be to Allah” and shove it up your ass.
Mohammad is a molester that rapped Aisha when a lass.
It’s just a bronze age mythology.
Read some Darwin and biology.
So take your God damn Allah akbar and shove it up your ass.
Take your “baruch atah Adonai” and shove it up your ass.
Jehovah is a God damn prick who slaughters innocents en masse.
It’s just a bronze age mythology,
Mixed with goat-herding astrology.
So take your God damn Adonai and shove it up your ass.
Take your Xenu volcano souls and shove them up your ass.
To believe this L. Ron Hubbard crap you must be smoking grass.
It’s just an age old scam,
To make money for a man.
So take your God damn Dianetics and shove it up your ass.
Take your Prophet Joseph Smith and shove him up your ass.
Should be called the Book of Moron at the Church of LDS.
It’s just a creative plan
To screw women as a holy man
So take your God damn golden plates and shove them up your ass.
Take all your God damn religions and shove them up your ass.
All your gods are delusions, idiotic and quite crass.
How ‘bout some rationality,
To free your mind of pious brutality
Take all your God damn religions and shove them up your ass.
-Scot Rafkin
Comment by Scot Rafkin — January 1, 2010 @ 6:20 pm
‘Jesus is a trick on niggers’ – Flannery O’Connor, ‘Wise Blood’
And there’s a lot of ‘white niggers’ in the Bible Belt…
Stuff your Christ!
Comment by All-Father Odin — January 1, 2010 @ 6:26 pm
I wanted to make a concise point here about the policies of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). The RCC is known to fight off relativism and materialism. But consider this:
1/ How can a belief in a paradise after death where all your wishes be granted not be considered as a form of pure unadulterated materialism? What do believers wish for in their prayers if not for material things? Why does the RCC strive so much for temporal power if it villifies materialism?
2/ How on earth can the RCC criticize relativism when it has changed its stance on various matters throughout history after sceptics have shown their positions to be entirely untenable. Confer for instance the case Galileo. Isn’t the RCC itself prone to relativism? What happened to her once so absolute standards?
I have only one thing to add and that is that the RCC is the most hypocritical organisation that has ever been in existance. Fuck the RCC!
Comment by Raskolnikov — January 1, 2010 @ 6:37 pm
I think we should take the initiative on filing a lawsuit. Christianity has at its core that the other faiths are false heathens and doomed for forsaking their savior. Islam, similarly says they are the only path to heaven and that disrespecting their prophet or simply disbelieving in him is deeply disrespectful and should be stopped by whatever means necessary. We’ll ignore other major religions to save time, but you get the point.
According to this law, all Christians, for the crime of disbelieving Islam and Mohammad, are offensive and should be fined. Of course Islam is also guilty of blaspheming against all of Christianity by flatly denying that Christ is God, deeming, under law, that they should also each individually pay a fine.
All money from fines of course should be donated to The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. The only true Creator.
Comment by Adam, KY, USA — January 1, 2010 @ 6:54 pm
Well done. This law is a throwback, and a primitive attempt to patronise minorities who don’t need it. If you believe, you may feel free to be offended by my opinions. In fact, feel free to offend mine in return, if you can!
Comment by LynnD — January 1, 2010 @ 6:56 pm
[...] Just months after Minister Martin made this comment, his colleague Dermot Ahern introduced Ireland’s new blasphemy law, which defines blasphemy as publishing or uttering matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion, with some defences permitted. (From blasphemy.ie here) [...]
Pingback by Is criminalizing blasphemy a good way to start the new year? « Questionable Motives — January 1, 2010 @ 6:58 pm
I assume the Blasphemy Law was pushed by the world’s largest criminal organization dedicated principally to pederasty, namely the Roman Catholic Church. The world wont be save till the Pope is ____ by his own entrails.
Comment by James — January 1, 2010 @ 7:08 pm
I don’t believe in a god, and I have nothing but hope in my heart that such a pathetic, twisted and cruel cunt could never exist. Fuck god, fuck all those that believe in it, and fuck the ways they have torn apart this beautiful planet with thier arrogance insanity.
Comment by Jon, Liverpool. — January 1, 2010 @ 7:09 pm
This a dead end campaign…
Atheists don’t solve exponential equations because they don’t believe in higher powers.
Comment by Hansel — January 1, 2010 @ 7:11 pm
To commit the blasphemy of bastardising Bill Hicks; if a bunch of christians are offended by what you say surely they should just forgive you?
Comment by Niall — January 1, 2010 @ 7:13 pm
The only church which offers true illumination is a church made of wood, with petrol poured over it and an atheist running away with the rest of his cigarettes.
Comment by Nada de Ciencia Ficcion — January 1, 2010 @ 7:15 pm
Well done guys. Keep up the good work!
Comment by Michal — January 1, 2010 @ 7:18 pm
[...] vandaag strafbaar in Ierland | Hier zijn 25 godslasterlijke quotes01-01-2010 om 20:19 door SteephGodslastering vanaf vandaag strafbaar in Ierland | Hier zijn 25 beroemde godslasterlijke quotesGodslastering, Ierland, Religie, Waan v/d Dag Terug naar het blog 0 Reacties Naar [...]
Pingback by Godslastering vanaf vandaag strafbaar in Ierland | Hier zijn 25 godslasterlijke quotes - Sargasso — January 1, 2010 @ 7:19 pm
Go!
Comment by Felix — January 1, 2010 @ 7:23 pm
Become a religious zelot
1,000,000,000 bigots can’t be wrong…………
Comment by Proddy Phil — January 1, 2010 @ 7:25 pm
[...] from Atheist Ireland, blasphemy.ie, January 1, 2010 (link) [...]
Pingback by La Scatola dei Sorci » Blog Archive » libertà e religione — January 1, 2010 @ 7:27 pm
All those idiotic believers can stick their gods as far up their arses as that feckin’ paedophile mohammed stuck his shrivveled old dick up his 9 year old “bride”
Comment by Phil — January 1, 2010 @ 7:29 pm
I wanted to make a concise point here about the policies of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). The RCC is known to fight off relativism and materialism. But consider this:
1/ How can a belief in a paradise after death where all your wishes be granted not be considered as a form of pure unadulterated materialism? What do believers wish for in their prayers if not for material things? Why does the RCC strive so much for temporal power if it villifies materialism?
2/ How on earth can the RCC criticize relativism when it has changed its stance on various matters throughout history after sceptics have shown their positions to be entirely untenable. Confer for instance the case Galileo. Isn’t the RCC itself prone to relativism? What happened to her once so absolute standards? Why is the RCC condemning homosexuals and paedophiles while at the same time covering abuses by her priests, how’s that for relativism?
I have only one thing to add and that is that the RCC is the most hypocritical organisation that has ever been in existance. Fuck the RCC!
Comment by Raskolnikov — January 1, 2010 @ 7:29 pm
All those idiotic believers can stick their gods as far up their arses as that feckin’ paedophile mohammed stuck his shrivelled old dick up his 9 year old “bride”
Comment by Phil — January 1, 2010 @ 7:29 pm
I respect all beliefs, what I dont respect is some TWAT or some stupid Political body telling us what we can or cannot say.
So If I say… ‘Fuck Christ, Fuck God and Fuck the Holy Ghost!’ is that going to get me in trouble?… I doubt it, and if God wants to strike me down… well then… BRING IT ON BITCH!!!
Comment by Nicholas — January 1, 2010 @ 7:32 pm
I hate to say this, but I’m sure that this law will do nothing to convince many Brits that the Irish aren’t really a bunch of nutters. This webpage might, though.
Comment by Richard Vernon — January 1, 2010 @ 7:51 pm
I ain’t afraid of your Yahweh
I ain’t afraid of your Allah
I ain’t afraid of your Jesus
I’m afraid of what you do in the name of your god
I ain’t afraid of your churches
I ain’t afraid of your temples
I ain’t afraid of your praying
I’m afraid of what you do in the name of your god
Rise up to your higher power
Free up from fear, it will devour you
Watch out for the ego of the hour
The ones who say they know it
Are the ones who will impose it on you
Rise up, and see a higher story
Free up from the gods of war and glory
Watch out for the threats of purgatory
The spirit of the wind wont make a killing off of sin and satan
I aint afraid of your Bible
I aint afraid of your Torah
I aint afraid of your Koran
Dont let the letter of the law
Obscure the spirit of your love it’s killing us
I aint afraid of your money
I aint afraid of your borders
I aint afraid of your choices
I aint afraid of your Sunday
I aint afraid of your Sabbath
I aint afraid of your teachers
I aint afraid of your dances
I aint afraid of your music
I aint afraid of your children
I’m afraid of what you do in the name of your god
Comment by ana-Membui (son of Devil) — January 1, 2010 @ 7:58 pm
The very best of luck to you in throwing out this unworkable pernicious anti-democractic claptrap
Comment by Julian — January 1, 2010 @ 8:10 pm
This blasfemy law is simply stupid. Fight it, it is insane to bring religion to the laws of a modern state.
Comment by Patrícia Gomes Lucas — January 1, 2010 @ 8:10 pm
I’m with you 100 per cent in having this absurd law flushed down the toilet of history.
Now for some blasphemy:
There is no god of any kind, and all religions are false, wicked and man-made.
My contempt for the claims of religion is especially strong in the cases of Islam, Christianity and Judaism.
Solidarity with the free people of Ireland.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_hlMK7tCks
-Adam, London
Comment by Adam — January 1, 2010 @ 8:10 pm
Most sane people are now bored to tears about this argument. I just want to point out that Salman Rushdie’s comment is not you at your best (he was under some pressure). Conservative here means nothing other than “bad”. And my experience is that it’s very enervating, boring people who don’t have some idea of the sacred.
Comment by Rory O'Connor — January 1, 2010 @ 8:14 pm
Any omnipotent being that needs to be protected by a bunch of sleazoid politicians hardly deserves worshipping. Fuck the lot of them.
Comment by Brian — January 1, 2010 @ 8:18 pm
All the above drivel is not blasphemy, it is merely bad manners from adolescents all trying to outdo the other with “bad words.” You don’t have a clue about respect for ideas or anything else. You all need to have your mouths washed out with soap for your dirty talk.
Comment by Dee STurber — January 1, 2010 @ 8:18 pm
@rory o’connor – most sane people are atheists, who aren’t bored by this argument.
Thit was a lot of fun to read! Good luck fighting the blasphemy law. You could have used an excerpt from the following lyrics of a song by Leonard Cohen called Billy Sunday, who was an evangelistic preacher:
My name is Billy Sunday
I speak in the name of God.
They call me Billy Sunday
I speak in the name of God
And God is always angry
Just in case you think He’s not
He’s angry at your body
For reasons that are His
He doesn’t like your body
According to reasons that are only His
I’d like you to know He’s very very angry
But that’s just the way He is
He’s angry at the spirit
That is turned away from Him
He’s angry at the spirit
That’s turned away from Him
If He ever gets His Hands on it
He’s gonna tear it limb from limb
They call me Billy Sunday
I speak in the name of God
They call me Billy Sunday
I speak in the name of God
And God is always angry
Just in case you think He’s not
He’s angry at the universe
It drives him up the wall
I could say for a fact
He’s not pleased with this universe
It drives him up the wall
He’s sorry that He ever thought of you and me at all
He’s angry when you’re dying
And He’s angry when you’re dead
And you’re always one or the other
He’s angry when you’re dying
And He’s angry when you’re dead
And He’s furious at me
For everything I’ve ever said
If you feel His anger some night
Let’s say in a Motel room at three a.m.
If you feel His awesome anger
In your Hotel room let’s say at three a.m.
It turns out that He’s still very angry
That you took so long to be afraid of Him
They call me Billy Sunday
I speak in the name of God
They call me Billy Sunday
I speak in the name of God
I came here to tell you that God is always angry
Just in case you think He’s not
If you fall asleep some night
Which everybody does
If you have the nerve to go to sleep one tired night
Which most everybody does
And you happen to have some silly dream
To Him it’s very serious.
And if some lonely night you ask yourself
Where all the pretty girls are gone ?
Some night you’re gonna ask yourself where where
Where are those pretty girls gone
Then He blows away the little scraps of paper
That they write their names and numbers on
Then you find that you get down on your knees
And you want to renounce for all time a woman’s sweet caress
You have some vocation that makes you kneel down
And renounce for eternity a woman’s sweet caress
Then He causes you to touch yourself
As soon as you undress
They call me Billy Sunday
I speak in the name of God
They call me Billy Sunday
I speak in the name of God
And God is always angry
Just in case you think He’s not
Comment by Tom — January 1, 2010 @ 8:19 pm
[...] blasphemy deserves all the support it can muster. To challenge the proposed legislation they have published a list of 25 quotations on their website any one of which could make them liable to a fine not exceeding €100,000 if this ridiculous law [...]
Pingback by THE GREATEST BULLSHIT STORY EVER TOLD « ANIMAL MY SOUL — January 1, 2010 @ 8:20 pm
@12 and 23:
How dare you disparage the meaty and nutritious goodness of His Al Dente-ness the Flying Spaghetti Monster! I should sue– OH, COOKIES! YUM!
Comment by Dan — January 1, 2010 @ 8:20 pm
What a load of old shite,frigging gay priests,violent nuns,abused children way back in the last century, to the present day.
“All in the name of religion,well fuck them all.Fuck jesus,fuck all religions.
And I say this as a Roman (non practising)Catholic. Abused by them, for many years.
Comment by Conroy Clan — January 1, 2010 @ 8:22 pm
Wouldn’t the worship of any “God” be blasphemous to anyone other then a believer of that particular “God”? Doesn’t this outlaw religion entirely? If I pray to a “God” that you believe to be a false “God”, I am committing blasphemy against your “God”. Therefore all worship is insulting to someone who has a different belief then yours.
Comment by Eddie — January 1, 2010 @ 8:24 pm
The truth itself is blasphemous by definition.
Comment by xoites — January 1, 2010 @ 8:24 pm
Bit of a misunderstanding:
Björk: “The Buddhists say we come back as animals and they refer to them as lesser beings. Well, animals aren’t lesser beings, they’re just like us. So I say fuck the Buddhists.”
Actually Buddhism teaches the practice of compassion toward all beings, and not to think or hold opinions that they are better than anyone or even animals.
“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.”-Buddha
Also dont agree with this law though, good luck for getting it reversed.
Comment by marco — January 1, 2010 @ 8:25 pm
Regarding comment #21: This has been tried. Ernie Chambers, state legislator for the state of Nebraska, and one of the coolest legislators to come out of the state that gave the world the unfortunate ramblings of William Jennings Bryan. Sued God, seeking a restraining order that would make God cease his constant threats against the citizens of Nebraska. Chambers, who calls himself an agnostic, said he was going to appeal the judge’s decision to throw the case out on the grounds that the defendent had not been properly served. Chambers maintains that, if God is indeed omniscient, there is no need to serve him with papers, because he knows the charges against him. Unfortunately for Nebraska (and everywhere else, IMHO), the Nebraska legislature ganged up on him and passed a term limits law specifically for the purpose of ridding Nebraska of the only truly progressive and interesting elected official they could boast of. I guess if he goes to Ireland, he’d be guilty of violating the law, not just violating the sensitivities of a couple million midwesterners.
Comment by Saffron — January 1, 2010 @ 8:35 pm
To me, looks like a mis-direction created by the immoral Roman Catholic Church in Ireland. The purpose being to divert attention from their crimes against children in Ireland and toward a bigger problem — active Atheists who are the leaders seeking prosecution of priests who abuse children. So, the RCC creates for the Atheists some busy work requiring them to defend themselves.
I expect the “blasphemy law” to backfire on the RCC and accelerate the growth rate of Atheism.
There isn’t no goddamn god.
Comment by SamHoustonTX — January 1, 2010 @ 8:37 pm
And religion strengthens it’s grip. Let us loosen it, shall we?
Well done!
Comment by Mark — January 1, 2010 @ 8:40 pm
“136.All the above drivel is not blasphemy, it is merely bad manners from adolescents all trying to outdo the other with “bad words.” You don’t have a clue about respect for ideas or anything else. You all need to have your mouths washed out with soap for your dirty talk.
Comment by Dee STurber — January 1, 2010 @ 8:18 pm”
And how can talk be ‘dirty’? Because it is profane and doesn’t treat language as ’sacred’? – the ‘god problem’ again – fuck it.
Comment by All-Father Odin — January 1, 2010 @ 8:40 pm
Wow, Ireland, really? A blasphemy law? Trying hard to become the Kansas of Europe, I guess. In any case, this quote from Denis Diderot needs to be included: “Man shall not be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.”
Good luck in the upcoming fight.
Comment by s6u6r6f — January 1, 2010 @ 8:42 pm
My god forbids the paying of all and any taxes.
Suggesting I should pay tax is blashphemy.
(they really didn’t think this through did they?)
Comment by IRG The Divine — January 1, 2010 @ 8:42 pm
Another quote for you:
Islam is not a religion but a fascist ideology, and the Koran is no different from Hitler’s “Mein Kampf.”
- Geert Wilders, the next prime minister of the Netherlands.
Comment by George O'Connor — January 1, 2010 @ 8:43 pm
Lads, lads!
Can ye save the vulgarities for the wall of the public toilet. There is no use wasting your blasphemy on this website.
If you’re in Europe (and that includes the UK, even if you vote Tory) why not contact your Euro MP and voice your objections. If you’re in the US, why not contact your local Irish newspaper or Irish tourist office and raise your objections there, and if, like me, you’re in Ireland, then join Atheist Ireland and also get on to all your local TDs.
Comment by Fear Dorcha — January 1, 2010 @ 8:49 pm
I excommunicated myself from the Catholic church when they welcomed the unrepentant war criminal Blair into their ranks with open arms. You can’t chum it up with killers and claim to represent god at the same time.
But my real beef with Jesus was that he turned water into wine but didn’t teach the rest of us how it was done. Now, that IS despicable!
Comment by Patrick Phillips — January 1, 2010 @ 8:55 pm
Adonai diablum sonai abrechtum solai nathrac annul sardumni Mephistopholi!
Excellent, now you are one of us. Rejoice in your eternal damnation, fool.
Comment by Jesus Manson — January 1, 2010 @ 8:57 pm
I love Jesus. I really do. And I believe that He loves me, and the people of Ireland, and Atheist Ireland, and everyone who’s posted on this page. And I attend church regularly. And I eat that little styrofoam wafer, and chase it with bad wine. And I pray to Him. And I read those stories about a God that slaughtered innocents, and afterwards I say, “Thanks be to God.” And it puzzles me.
And I believe He speaks to me, through love. I even think I saw Him once, and He smelled like baby oil.
And I’m not kidding about any of that.
And I just want to say: I love what you’re doing, agree with what you’re doing, and hope you succeed. Good luck, and Godspeed.
Comment by Reggie B. — January 1, 2010 @ 8:57 pm
What…is it April 1st already? Good one.
Comment by Jesus — January 1, 2010 @ 9:01 pm
As a christian, I am not offended by any remark on my belief. As a citizen, I don’t need stupid laws to defend my belief. I just take no offense, so please government, don’t make this an offense.
Comment by Remco — January 1, 2010 @ 9:02 pm
And you wonder why the Irish people are the but of jokes
These lawes are pagan
typicaly Irish
Comment by Paul P — January 1, 2010 @ 9:07 pm
As a devout atheist, I hold common sense “sacred” does this mean I can now demand the prosecution of anyone insulting my common sense by insisting I am heading for Hell?
Comment by Tom Mannion — January 1, 2010 @ 9:10 pm
Great stuff, keep up the good work. I think it be better for your membership of Atheist Ireland if you did not charge to join.
Comment by Adam Simmons — January 1, 2010 @ 9:11 pm
Although I’m only a visitor of this website from the Netherlands I can only agree with campaign. If you don’t agree with someone standpoint, discuss it, but don’t call illegal and put a fine (or worse on it). I’m very much against some recent Muslim bashing wished has been uttered by some bleechedheaded fool, but I’d oppose any law which would deprive him from his right ot utter his silly opions.
When however anyone acts along any line of discrimination, say refuse entrance on such grounds, I’d say prosecute them.
Comment by Bastiaan — January 1, 2010 @ 9:22 pm
Although I’m only a visitor of this website from the Netherlands I can only agree with campaign. If you don’t agree with someone standpoint, discuss it, but don’t call illegal and put a fine (or worse) on it. I’m very much against some recent Muslim bashing wished has been uttered by some bleechedheaded fool, but I’d oppose any law which would deprive him from his right ot utter his silly opions.
When however anyone acts along any line of discrimination, say refuse entrance on such grounds, I’d say prosecute them.
Comment by Bastiaan — January 1, 2010 @ 9:23 pm
You will all be impaled on stakes in hell
Comment by GOD — January 1, 2010 @ 9:26 pm
Jesus was a schizophrenic lunatic, very nice I’m sure, but still, if he were walking around today he’d be hauled off to the looney bin before you could say “the bible is a load of bollocks”. That is assuming that they still threw lunatics in looney bins.
Comment by Black Jack Shellac — January 1, 2010 @ 9:31 pm
If we’re making some moronic reactionary stupid fecking laws maybe we should make a “sensible” one like if you’re a muslim you’re not allowed on a fecking plane!
Comment by Jesus Wept — January 1, 2010 @ 9:43 pm
[...] Janeiro 1, 2010 por RPR … vai mesmo sem comentário. [...]
Pingback by Este… « destruição criativa — January 1, 2010 @ 9:48 pm
So the dopey wankers can knock on your door and drone their bollocks to you and if you dont swoon over it, nay think or tell them its shite , they can walk away with a smugness that reeks of “oh such a shame you dont understand” and you,ll be taken by the bogeyman on death
BUT if you dare to critise their fairytales you,ll end up in court, what scared shallow tossers ,I SAY YOUR GOD IS A WANKER ,AS ARE THE TWATS WHO FOLLOW THE DIRGE RIDDEN TOME AKA THE BIBLE
BUT GUESS WHAT? I KNOW I WILL WAKE UP TOMORROW…..ANY HOLY JOES WANNA BET I DONT?
Get a life you self hypnotising pricks
Comment by barry freeman — January 1, 2010 @ 9:53 pm
“164.If we’re making some moronic reactionary stupid fecking laws maybe we should make a “sensible” one like if you’re a muslim you’re not allowed on a fecking plane!
Comment by Jesus Wept — January 1, 2010 @ 9:43 pm”
‘Fecking’ eh? Bejeepers and begorrah!
Been watching Father Ted, have we? You still ain’t getting it right, so fuck off you BNP troll
Comment by All-Father Odin — January 1, 2010 @ 9:53 pm
Well done. I couldn’t agree more.
Comment by Zuzana — January 1, 2010 @ 9:56 pm
A few quotes to add to the mix:
“But who prays for Satan? Who, in eighteen centuries, has had the common humanity to pray for the one sinner that needed it most?”
– Mark Twain
“You can safely assume that you’ve created God in your image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.”
– Anne Lamott
“If god doesn’t like the way I live, Let him tell me, not you.”
– Unknown
“Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.”
– Philip K. Dick
“I’m not convinced that faith can move mountains, but I’ve seen what it can do to skyscrapers.”
– Unknown
“If God has spoken, why is the world not convinced?”
– Percy Bysshe Shelley
“No man believes that the Bible means what it says; he is always convinced that it says what he means.”
– George Bernard Shaw
“Faith is deciding to allow yourself to believe something your intellect would otherwise cause you to reject — otherwise there’s no need for faith.”
– Unknown
“When one person suffers a delusion, it is called insanity. When many suffer from a delusion, it is called religion.
– Robert M. Pirsig
“Believing is easier than thinking. Hence so many more believers than thinkers.”
– Bruce Calvert
Comment by RickK — January 1, 2010 @ 10:02 pm
Heres a wee poem in Irish dedicated to the fuckwits who brought in this law and bestowing on us once more the image of us being a backward wee backwater of a country. I wrote it in Irish so that any offence could only be taken by Irish theists which is who the law is aimed to ´protect´ . So there can be no doubt of my intended audience. I am breaking the law. Now enact it and have me arrested.
I gcuntas Dé , i gcuntas Dé
na fhaca mise riamh Dé
chomh mor
a cunt as Dé
And in case it could be argued that writing it as Gaeilge limited its potential to ´offend´then here is a English translation
For Gods sake , for gods sake
Never have I seen a God
thats such a cunt as God
Please please prosecute me ! I would love to be your first test case
is mise
Pádraig ó Súilleabháin
23 Belvidere Places
Baile Átha Cliath
Comment by Pádraig — January 1, 2010 @ 10:04 pm
I don’t consider myself an atheist, but I’m sympathetic with atheism–up until it becomes a fundamentalist monolith. “Atheism is the only thing that makes sense and anybody who doesn’t see that is deluded.” That kind of fundamentalism is just as ignorant and ugly as any other kind of fundamentalism.
That being said, anti-blasphemy legislation seems to me to be about as effective and sensible as anti-ignorance and -ugliness legislation.
A nugget of Islamic wisdom tells us to see everything, doubt everything. Judicious and thoughtful doubt takes the form of examination of facts, which leads to knowledge. Atheism is, to put it mildly, extreme doubt. How could that be bad? Any theism that can’t tolerate close examination isn’t worthy of theists.
That doesn’t give atheists license to be mean, though. I don’t think that anyone is born an atheist; atheists are converts, and there’s nothing more zealous than a convert.
Be careful, and mind your manners. Be nice, try not to worry too much, and have a little harmless fun along the way. Think whatever you want, but remember that while uninformed ignorant statements are unfortunate, informed hurtful statements are far worse.
Attempting to legislate morality is invariably a bad idea, but freedom of speech comes with the responsibilty of acknowledging everybody else’s freedom of speech, even if (or especially if, I would argue) you disagree with them. Just be nice about it.
You have every right to disagree with my beliefs, but there’s no reason for you to insult my beliefs. I don’t think that you have the authority to insult my beliefs, but you do have the power to, and there’s a big difference. I think that the Irish government would do well to remember the distinction.
Why would you say “Fuck your god and fuck jesus” except in an effort to make me mad, hurt my feelings, and start a fight? That’s childish bullyism, and the sort of thing that fundamentalists thrive on. Atheist fundamentalism isn’t any more informed or admirable than any other kind of fundamentalism. Stop it, and be nice.
When we say or do something stupid, we know perfectly well that we’re saying or doing something stupid–we just go ahead and do it anyway. Religion–including atheism–encourages some people to be mean and stupid, but those are people inclined to meanness and stupidity in the first place. It also leads other people to be nice and smart.
Which one are you?
Which one you are is not at the whim of a judicial dictate; it’s in your hands.
As individuals, we need to be smarter, better, and kinder than our governments, because we’re the ones who have to live, work, and travel together every day.
Comment by Uisgea — January 1, 2010 @ 10:05 pm
I have “blasphemed’ every day of my life since I was eight years old and became a non-theist and I will continue to “blaspheme” every day until I die. My last words will be “Fuck you” to all the inventors and promulgators of religion who have so destroyed the possibility for sanity and rational, investigative intelligence. They are disgusting, evil people who can never be trusted to do the decent thing because they do not have control over their own moral codes and have never made a real examination of conscience.
Comment by Merilyn Jackson — January 1, 2010 @ 10:21 pm
re Patrick Phillips post 152.
Have you privately excommunicated yourself, or made your vote count via our friends at
http://www.countmeout.ie/
If the former, may I suggest also doing the latter.
David B
Comment by David B — January 1, 2010 @ 10:21 pm
Looks like it is now ilegal to speak the truth in Ireland. Shame on them.
Comment by Bob — January 1, 2010 @ 10:23 pm
Fuck this sham of a fucking law, i believe in Hitlerism, don’t mock my saviour
Comment by Jonathan — January 1, 2010 @ 10:29 pm
In response to Uisgea: If we love our children and want a saner world for them, and since we cannot hang all priests and imams, all we can do is insult all religion in the strongest terms, repudiate its ignorance, and fight to keep some semblance of sanity in the world while demonstrating other, more ethical and sensible ways to behave. Freedom of speech, even when insulting, must be preserved. Ultimately, it is the basis for a rational life.
Comment by Merilyn Jackson — January 1, 2010 @ 10:31 pm
God hates women, the shit.
Comment by Ophelia Benson — January 1, 2010 @ 10:33 pm
Ireland is such a primitive backwater. Catholicism’s Saudi. Good luck.
Comment by Peter Justice — January 1, 2010 @ 10:41 pm
[...] 20. Pope Benedict XVI quoting a 14th century Byzantine emperor, 2006: “Show me just what Muhammad … [...]
Pingback by The sacred in modern law « Just Another Deisidaimon — January 1, 2010 @ 10:49 pm
Bjork is mistaken.
http://www.buddhistsagainstreincarnation.com
Comment by steve sajeev — January 1, 2010 @ 10:50 pm
Religion and religious belief in general is part of what I call medievalism along with nationalism, ideas of race,ideas of sexuality,ownership of natural resources like water, air, land.
We have stewardship of the earth for a short while and we will be leaving it to our children.
Lets clear away the medieval shite!.
This law is a stupid law for stupid people.
If your faith is strong a few insults arent going to hurt it now are they? Freedom of expression must be protected.
By the way a little editing on the the juvenile stuff would be useful. You are useing wordpress and you could easily show the more sensible comments first, and bury the juvy stuff to some expressive section of you site.
Comment by nodenet — January 1, 2010 @ 10:53 pm
“Are You Drinking With Me Jesus?”
Mojo Nion/Country Dick Montana)
I saw you sittin’ there
I was tryin’ not to stare
I wasn’t sure if it was you
I didn’t know just what to do
CHORUS
Are you drinkin’ with me Jesus
I can’t see you very clear
Are you drinkin’ with me Jesus
Would you buy a friend a beer
As I nestled on my barstool
I felt your warmness within
I looked down at my pants
That wasn’t warmness
I wet myself again
CHORUS
Does your head pound, Jesus
As hung over you do rise
How does paradise look, Jesus
Through holy bloodshot eyes
Should we take a cab home Jesus
Man, we can hoof it from here
I know you can walk on the water
But can you walk on this much beer
Are you drinkin’ with me Jesus
I can’t see you very clear
Comment by Mike Kelly — January 1, 2010 @ 10:58 pm
Religion, the root of all evil. Repeal this insane piece of legislation now.
Comment by Jo Melen — January 1, 2010 @ 11:07 pm
The Catholic Church and their god are so fucked up they’re inoffendible. Religion is an insult to humanity.
Comment by mcek — January 1, 2010 @ 11:11 pm
Some nice quotes, but possibly all a bit intellectual to really test the new blasphemy laws. Couldn’t someone just knock up a cartoon of Jesus fucking Mohammed in the arse – I suspect that might encourage one or two complaints to the police.
Comment by Barry Smith — January 1, 2010 @ 11:15 pm
Highly amusing. Now let me get this straight – if this is about insulting ANY religion, then a religion that claims it is the ONLY true religion would be in breach of this as well? That should wipe them all out.
Comment by Louise (Australia) — January 1, 2010 @ 11:18 pm
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-594683847743189197#
Comment by All-Father Odin — January 1, 2010 @ 11:19 pm
Religion is such nonsense. Let it die like the flat earth.
Comment by Rodney — January 1, 2010 @ 11:22 pm
You take that back Hughes!
Comment by Gingerbread Person IV — January 1, 2010 @ 11:23 pm
Ah well. Even the Irish must be allowed to fuck it up occasionally.
Comment by Brendan O'Shea — January 1, 2010 @ 11:25 pm
Thank you for taking this stand.
Comment by L. Ron McKenzie — January 1, 2010 @ 11:26 pm
So long as they pull their heads out of their asses within a reasonable amount of time…
Comment by Brendan O'Shea — January 1, 2010 @ 11:27 pm
[...] And so, Dermot Ahern, in his infinite wisdom, has just made the central tenet of the religion of one third of the entire planet illegal. [...]
Pingback by blasphemy! « klog — January 1, 2010 @ 11:28 pm
136. All the above drivel is not blasphemy, it is merely bad manners from adolescents all trying to outdo the other with “bad words.” You don’t have a clue about respect for ideas or anything else. You all need to have your mouths washed out with soap for your dirty talk.
Comment by Dee STurber — January 1, 2010 @ 8:18
a) Adolescent rebellion happens when you get condescending gits looking down at you from positions of power – it’s healthy. Dirty talk, humour & blasphemy are good because they are how we liberate ourselves from fear. We may grow up – will you?
b)Some ideas don’t deserve respect.
Comment by Vark — January 1, 2010 @ 11:35 pm
There is a huge difference between what the Bible says and what religions say it says. All religions are man-made. The Bible claims to be the Word of God (and having read it, indeed studied it, I have come to the conclusion that indeed it is) and every individual has the freedom to decide for themselves whether they cosider it to be the Word of God or not. No other person should impose or force their beliefs on another – I may mention what I believe; just like people exchange what they think on a thousand matters every day – but I should not overstep it being your decision and I should allow you your decision. I would recommend of course that before making any decision that you first read the Bible – when I first read the Bible it struck me that ‘half of what I had been told was not in there and the other half was incorrect’. So please do not judge the Bible by the widespread, man-made rigamaroles of religion no matter how common and taken for granted they are. Religions are designed solely to enslave, subjugate, and control people, and yes, abuse them. Religion has always promulgated lies, and those lies beget more lies. Sadly we now have so many layers of lies that the truth is somewhat hidden and moreso neglected and instead religions parade their lies as truth.
Interestingly very few people actually make a decision about what they believe: the religions of the world are as firmly marked as geographical boundaries, with religions being passed on from parents to children, and each successive generation accepting it (it can harldy be called believeing) for no other reason than that it was what their parents brought them up in (and oftentimes imposed on them). And yet for the most part all these people ‘think’ they are right (or that their belief is the right one), and amazingly, very often will kill and die for something they never even appraised and never made a conscious, lucid decision about in the first place (an aspect of blind-belief no doubt).
Incidentally God (I realise of course that many of you do not believe in God, and I have no qualms with this whatsoever — indeed when it comes to God every man is an island — it is your decision, your choice) does not need this law – rather it is, as many have mentioned, to protect religions and quell any questioning even of their authority and doctrines. I have read most of the comments here and, at the risk of sounding ‘goody-two-shoes’ or holier-than-thou, etc., etc., my over-riding sentiment was ‘you cannot change truth’ – you can rail against it, you can make fun of it, you can do whatever you want but truth still stands. My only recommendation, if I may, is perhaps read the Bible before you pass judgement. I would not critique a book or a film based on what I heard about it from others, and certainly I would not listen to people who have a vested interest in promulgating their own lies at the expense of the Bible. If you have any questions about the Bible (not religion, or what people say ‘about’ the Bible) feel free to contact me: chinawise@msn.com
After all the whole issue here is freedom of speech and expression.
Finally and by the way, I read once that ‘most people think that they think’ and that is something that I always take very much to heart.
Comment by Joe — January 1, 2010 @ 11:48 pm
Oh yes, read the Bible…here’s my favourite part, it’s Psalm 137: 7-9
“Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones”.
Infanticide, by divine ordination…
Comment by All-Father Odin — January 1, 2010 @ 11:57 pm
#175
with all due respect to you belief in “Hitlerism”,
i think your weird religion caused even more Murdering of innocent
People than Christanity. Thats not really funny.
As a German Citizen, i know the Problem of Anti-Blasphemy Laws very well.
A very funny Work of Art got censored here because a Story about virgin birth
caused by a little Brother shooting his Sperm over a Toilet Seat was too much for those idiot Christians.
So… you Irish Atheists are not alone.
Happy New Year. Fight Stupidity, not People.
Comment by Ohforf — January 2, 2010 @ 12:04 am
Reading the comments one is tempted to conclude that ‘atheism’ is nothing more that the hollow sound of pernicious stupidity. A desperate display of superiority forged in subterranean self-esteem, and betraying the underlying ‘illogical’ fear!
This supposedly aggressive and ‘shockingly blasphemous’ material is in reality nothing but the new brand of puerile, phoney, risibly predictable, sociopathic small-mindedness that is bludgeoning our civilization into brain death.
Those limp-dicked pretenders with narrow mentalities and no personalities are proclaiming themselves to be the defenders of ‘freedom’-a parody of a travesty of a mockery of freedom. The ‘freedom for boundless moronic thought and speech’!
The supposedly ‘civilized’ façade and the supposed ‘values’ of modernity crack and collapse exposing the same pettiness, the same archaic hate as it sends its practitioners into paroxysms of irrational hysteria.
But, by all means, continue your sanctimoniously moronic faux-sermons! Continue to make a spectacle of ignorance/ of faux-wisdom/faux-stability/faux-confidence! There will always be room for a new circus in ‘Flaccid World’.
Comment by Lugal — January 2, 2010 @ 12:10 am
A foolish law that makes criminals of everyone. With the way modern religions and especially those of Judeo-Christian descent jealously guard worshipers, any proclamation of religious belief or disbelief is bound to be blasphemous in someone’s eyes. Further, I add this to the mix:
As a justly sanctioned hierophant of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, I make known to you that such assaults on free speech are a blasphemy unto the most meaty one. O sinners, you will spend an eternity being covered in spices and then slowly heated in the sauce pot of damnation over a medium heat! Or possibly, more like thirty minutes. But know the wrath of the FSM! The wrath!
And if this wasn’t a thinly veiled power grab by very specific religious sects, that would about do it for the law.
Comment by Ashmedai — January 2, 2010 @ 12:11 am
[...] a group called Atheist Ireland have published 25 “blasphemous” quotes, from assorted characters of varying historical notability, and with a varying degree of [...]
Pingback by Blasphemy in Ireland « Cubik’s Rube — January 2, 2010 @ 12:12 am
From Judges 6: “Are you going to plead Baal’s cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.”
If Yahweh is a real god and he has a problem with what I’ve got to say, he can strike me down himself. He doesn’t need puny governments to stand up for him.
Comment by Mike — January 2, 2010 @ 12:25 am
#171.
“I don’t think that anyone is born an atheist; atheists are converts, and there’s nothing more zealous than a convert.”
Sorry but that has to be the most ridiculous, thing I’ve read in a long, long, time. You’ve got it completely wrong / backwards. We’re ALL born Atheists. No child is born with any religion or notions of a god. It’s not until their parents and societies start to brainwash them that children become believers. I would imagine that up until a certain age, most kids don’t see a difference between Santa Claus and god/Jesus/Allah/ or whatever imaginary deity they are told stories of. If only parents would teach their children about reality instead of religion it would do much for human progress .
Believers in gods are no different than the first, ignorant ,superstitious cave dwellers who were terrified of lightening and saw spirits in every shadow. We’re exploring the Universe, have seen billions of stars, and most people on Earth still can’t see beyond the clouds. Belief in gods is just mass delusion and lack of education. I hate to see otherwise intelligent people with this tumor called faith eating their brains.
As for all of the cursing, it’s just crass. I don’t even bother to read it. How about some ideas instead ? Some thoughts instead of just curses ? A comment full of curse words is just boring . We non-believers are supposed to be the smart ones .
Comment by Felix — January 2, 2010 @ 12:36 am
God’s cunt is a faggot
Comment by Jesus' Black 18-incher — January 2, 2010 @ 12:40 am
Oh, does this mean I can’t say Bejesus anymore? doh…
Comment by Emaerald — January 2, 2010 @ 12:52 am
I find it interesting that none of these 25 passages are blasphemous. Talk about ignorance.
Comment by Rob — January 2, 2010 @ 12:55 am
Let’s defend freedom of speech instead of religious sensitivities.
Comment by lexhamfox — January 2, 2010 @ 12:59 am
Don’t all religions blaspheme against each other just by existing? Does this law make religion illegal? Is making religion illegal blasphemous? Is the world going to implode in on itself and we’ll all die in a bloody and agonizing paradox?
Anyway I think eternal damnation is a bad enough punishment without getting a fine or having to go to prison as well.
Comment by Rebecca — January 2, 2010 @ 1:04 am
Bjork is an lame brained moron. I am guessing she learned about Buddhism from comic books. Rather than banning blasphemy, (which doesn’t exist in Buddhism), please ban idiocy from porkers like Bjorker.
Comment by Lee in Mpls — January 2, 2010 @ 1:19 am
WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW!
Boning Buddha.
Comment by Foehammer — January 2, 2010 @ 1:27 am
I feel sorry for those who have this great need to justify having no faith, shouldn’t it be self evident, why do you have to try and “convert” everyone to your perspective?! By truly believing in one belief that should mean all others are fakes and counterfeits. There are many sects of each major world religion, and each is blasphemous to the next, and no one will know for certain whether they have the ‘true religion’ or not until they die. Atheists are fools, they lose either way whether they live or die, at-least until life can be sustained at perfection forever, and still that is a hollow promise, Those who hate the idea of God are in an even worse situation, while those who believe the ‘wrong’ religion are living a lie and thus all their effort is in vain. Either you work to maintain character, search for the only living God and his ways, or be an agnostic (unsure about the existence of God) because this subject cannot be proven definitively either way.
Comment by Jeremiah — January 2, 2010 @ 1:37 am
I feel sorry for those who have this great need to justify having no faith, shouldn’t it be self evident, why do you have to try and “convert” everyone to your perspective?! By truly believing in one belief that should mean all others are fakes and counterfeits. There are many sects of each major world religion, and each is blasphemous to the next, and no one will know for certain whether they have the ‘true religion’ or not until they die. Atheists are fools, they lose either way whether they live or die, at-least until life can be sustained at perfection forever, and still that is a hollow promise, Those who hate the idea of God are in an even worse situation, while those who believe the ‘wrong’ religion are living a lie and thus all their effort is in vain. Either you work to maintain character, search for the only living God and his ways, or be an agnostic (unsure about the existence of God) because this subject cannot be proven definitively either way.
Legislature should stay out of this type of discussion, there is no place for it as it should only deal in certainties especially in our ’secular’ societies.
Comment by Jeremiah — January 2, 2010 @ 1:38 am
Mary had a little Lamb – by Nilone
Mary was a prostitute
who sold her cunt for cash.
If she was alive today
you’d call her ‘trailer trash’.
Mary soon got pregnant.
’cause the pill did not exist.
When Joseph heard the news
Mary learned the taste of fist.
They ran away to Jerusalem,
supposedly for a census.
In fact they feared their parents
would see Mary’s lack of menses.
So Mary had a little Lamb
in a cold and clammy stable.
This part of the bible may be true,
but the rest is just a fable.
They called the bastard ‘Jesus’.
Said he was the son of God.
Soon his ego grew pretty big -
he though he was quite hot.
He called himself ‘messiah’,
he said he was ‘the saviour’,
and no one can go to heaven
unless they brown-nose for his favor.
He only had 12 friends
and all of them were men.
His nickname was ‘the carpenter’ -
been screwing from age ten.
The romans didn’t like him,
he pissed the priests off, too.
In order to crucify his arse
they bought one of his crew.
Soon he was dangling from the wood
like a piñata in the sky.
He called out to his ‘father’ God -
haha! – he still believed the lie.
He died and was buried in a cave
sealed by big round stone.
Some mangy dogs found a way inside
and dragged off every last bone.
Millions of fools believe today
that he went up to God’s abode;
in fact the dogs shi* him out
on some deserted road.
That’s the tale of Jesus Christ.
The bastard son of a whore.
His life was twisted and remade
To match some pagan lore.
He didn’t die for your sins,
he only died for his own.
And if you still believe in him
You’re a stupid fucking clone.
Comment by No More Mr. Nice Guy! — January 2, 2010 @ 1:41 am
He’s not the messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!
Comment by Dafydd — January 2, 2010 @ 1:42 am
BTW Felix we are NOT all born atheists, we are all born agnostics (those who don’t know either way). Stop trying to defend your ‘faith’ (in no God) with retarded statements, some balance reasoning should be used and you’re supposed to “be the smart ones”… please take a step back and realize you’re the type of person that will lead to the world becoming and IDIOCRACY (yes … just like the film).
Comment by Jeremiah — January 2, 2010 @ 1:44 am
Congratulations, Ireland, at the start of your descent to mysticism, barbarism, and loss of the rule of _law_. You now join such enlightened civilizations as Iran, and equate yourselves with the Taliban. Good job!
Oh, and lest I fail to run afoul of Irish “law”: Fuck God, Jesus, Allah, Muhammad, and any other Supreme (imaginary) deity, and any religions associated with them.
Comment by Jeebus — January 2, 2010 @ 1:46 am
Morto for us. General academic opinion seems to be that it’s too ridiculous and nebulous a law to enforce anyway. Here’s hoping.
Comment by Boo — January 2, 2010 @ 1:49 am
Song lyrics quoted from http://www.mchawking.com/includes/lyrics/creationists_lyrics.php
(buy the CD at the same site or google for the track)
Fuck The Creationists
Trash Talk
Ah yeah, here we go again!
Damn! This is some funky shit that I be laying down on your ass.
This one goes out to all my homey’s working in the field of
evolutionary science.
Check it!
Verse 1
Fuck the damn creationists, those bunch of dumb-ass bitches,
every time I think of them my trigger finger itches.
They want to have their bullshit, taught in public class,
Stephen J. Gould should put his foot right up their ass.
Noah and his ark, Adam and his Eve,
straight up fairy stories even children don’t believe.
I’m not saying there’s no god, that’s not for me to say,
all I’m saying is the Earth was not made in a day.
Chorus
Fuck, fuck, fuck,
fuck the Creationists.
Trash Talk
Break it down.
Ah damn, this is a funky jam!
I’m about ready to kick this bitch back in.
Check it.
Verse 2
Fuck the damn creationists I say it with authority,
because kicking their punk asses be me paramount priority.
Them wack-ass bitches say, “evolution’s just a theory”,
they best step off, them brainless fools, I’ll give them cause to fear me.
The cosmos is expanding every second, every day,
but their minds are shrinking as they close their eyes and pray.
They call their bullshit science like the word could give them cred,
if them bitches be scientists then cap me in the head.
Chorus
Trash Talk
Bass!
Bring that shit in!
Ah yeah, that’s right, fuck them all motherfuckers.
Fucking punk ass creationists trying to set scientific thought back 400 years.
Fuck that!
If them superstitious motherfuckers want to have that kind of party,
I’m going to put my dick in the mashed potatoes.
Fucking creationists.
Fuck them.
Comment by Name — January 2, 2010 @ 1:54 am
With this law, we may well be witnessing the beginnings of a new Dark Ages.
“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do.
When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will
understand why I dismiss yours.” — Stephen Roberts
Comment by Michael Cox — January 2, 2010 @ 1:54 am
If I was to say that I consider all of the previous comments and content blasphemous will Minister Ahern do anything? He cannot because he cannot institute or interfere in any prosecutions. That is up to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Will he do anything?
We in Ireland will be waiting a long time to see any of our bankers in court for what they have done to the country. Maybe somebody above will see court first over this dumb law. Tens of thousands of people have lost their jobs, pensions and are in long-term debt but so what. Why did the minister and our useless government not spend his and their time thinking up laws to protect the economy and the wellbeing of the people of Ireland instead of this rubbish.
Come on DPP. Who is for prosecution first? Will it be (a) the bankers or, (b) those in the Catholic Church and those in civil authority why covered up the crimes being committed by priests or (c) one of the above comments.
Comment by spmcol2007 — January 2, 2010 @ 2:02 am
[...] how have Atheist Ireland responded? Today they published a list of 25 blasphemous comments, originally uttered by such people as Jesus H Christ, Mohammed the alleged prophet (yes, I liked [...]
Pingback by If there is a god, he can deal with me himself « The Not-Quite-So-Friendly Humanist — January 2, 2010 @ 2:08 am
Excellent work! Hoping for all the success you guys deserve!
BTW Jeremiah, you’re a fucktard.
Comment by thinkbolt — January 2, 2010 @ 2:10 am
I think it is a very sad thing when a member of a political party feels the need to center an entire nation of people just because he doesn’t agree with their opinion.
This isn’t about the other religions now living in Ireland, it is treating Catholicism with special rights, indeed religion as a general body with special rights. How is Ireland to become a more secular nation with laws such as this? We can talk about politics, celebrity personalities and the argument of pro choice vs pro life; but to talk about religion; oh my gosh no, you can’t talk about that because religious people are better than eveyone else. Everyone else is nothing more than a second class citizen, who are they to argue against it.
All this law accomplishes is putting the country back into the dark ages, tells you what you can and cannot say, and if possible how you can and cannot think.
And evidently shunning the non-believers. It almost seems like the activation of a back up plan after the Ryan report has been published.
Dermot Ahern, you should be ashamed of yourself, you and your party will not be getting my vote at any rate come next general elections.
Comment by Keith Murphy — January 2, 2010 @ 2:17 am
No love for Carl Sagan?
“Education on the value of free speech and the other freedoms reserved by the Bill of Rights, about what happens when you don’t have them, and about how to exercise and protect them, should be an essential prerequisite for being an American citizen–or indeed a citizen of any nation, the more so to the degree that such rights remain unprotected. If we can’t think for ourselves, if we’re unwilling to question authority, then we’re just putty in the hands of those in power. But if the citizens are educated and form their own opinions, then those in power work for *us*. In every country, we should be teaching our children the scientific method and the reasons for a Bill of Rights. In the demon-haunted world that we inhabit by virtue of being human, this may be all that stands between us and the enveloping darkness.”
–Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World
Comment by Marley — January 2, 2010 @ 2:27 am
keep the fight going lads! don’t let the state grant itself the right to extract resources from its citizens in order to protect the ears of its sheep.
Comment by oisin — January 2, 2010 @ 2:35 am
Didn’t “jesus” hump the holes in his hands, using blood for lubrication?
Comment by Scott — January 2, 2010 @ 2:40 am
Silly law to bring in. I can only hope the voters of Ireland do the right thing in the next election and vote these jokers out. The courts can play their part and seperate from religion and never prosecute any blasphemy cases.
Will the ploice need to witness said offences? or will it be like the Spanish Inquisition, where you only need to point a finger in public and yell “Blasphemer.”
I cannot complain too much as Kevin Rudd here in Australia is trying to ban any internet sites having anything to do with safe drug taking or euthanasia all in the name of child protection.
Next you will be telling me America is the home of the free!!
Comment by Gary Perkins — January 2, 2010 @ 2:43 am
Good job, guys, for fighting against this unjust and backwards law. You have my full support.
Comment by Rick Zard — January 2, 2010 @ 2:48 am
I shit on God, the cross, the carpenter who made it, and the son of a whore who planted the pine.
Comment by Will — January 2, 2010 @ 3:08 am
We have enough delusional religious idiots here in goddamn yankie land, please don’t fall into the same trap!
I was planning a trip to Ireland this year but as an outspoken atheist I would not feel safe from the law.
I apologize to the tourist industry of Ireland and the local businesses that would have benefited from my spending, which will likely all go to your neighbor England now. All I can say is kick out those charlatans that pretend their sky-daddy is so fragile as to be wounded by words, and I will consider spending my cash there once again.
Comment by Deconverted Yank — January 2, 2010 @ 3:18 am
Today is a sad day. Tired of these fuckers hiding behind the law.
Comment by Ken — January 2, 2010 @ 3:30 am
But… this is ridiculous. The blasphemy law clearly is not about denying an expression of ideas, as ideas are not blasphemous. As is stated above, blasphemy is considered to be something “grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage”. In essence then it is not a law which threatens to strangle a secular Ireland, but it is a law protecting the rights of the religious from having to deal with anyone who is “grossly abusive or insulting” to their most sacred beliefs. I don’t see how protecting the rights of religious people is worse than protecting the rights of people who want to be able to be “grossly abusive or insulting”. That is not a “medieval religious law” as it is not about religion in particular, it is about protecting the rights of the religious. Yes, “criminal law should protect people and not ideas” – but we call upon the same law to protect freedom of speech and ideas.
As blasphemy is defined above, it is not about suppressing any ideas. It seems to me to be about stopping people who think it’s either clever or amusing to insult other people’s beliefs because they do not match their own. “In a civilised society, people have a right to to express and to hear ideas about religion even if other people find those ideas to be outrageous” – yes, absolutely. This law has stated nothing about preventing the expression of ideas, it is about preventing people from being “grossly abusive or insulting”. I don’t see anything wrong with trying to make people a little nicer to each other.
Comment by Zet — January 2, 2010 @ 3:35 am
[...] http://blasphemy.ie/2010/01/01/atheist-ireland-publishes-25-blasphemous-quotes/ « China Dairy Closed for Melamine -Tainted Milk [...]
Pingback by Irish introduce blasphemy law. « 18hours — January 2, 2010 @ 3:42 am
Hinduism is not a religion! Before the arrival of muslims, India was a plural society where each followed his/her own beliefs. In fact atheists had complete freedom to profess their beliefs (rather disbeliefs) as much as the priests did. Thats the reason there are so many gods in hinduism. But after Islam and Christianity came in, since other forms of belief are anathema to these, all those who were NOT christians and NOT muslims got branded as Hindus (the people of Industan – meaning the civilization around the Indus river and south). Encouraged by the successes of the holy men of christianity and islam, the hindu holy men took over, institutionalized it as a religion and now here we are…. as willing to kill followers of other faith as the others are!!!
Reminds me of quote (by someone I forget!):
“Even without religion good people will do good things and evil people will do evil things. But to make good people do evil things you need religion!.”
Comment by Mano — January 2, 2010 @ 3:46 am
I hope they like vegetables.
‘I would like a Hawaiian pizza.’ (offensive to Jews, Muslims)
‘I would like a cheeseburger.’ (offensive to Jews, Hindus)
‘I would like a 2×4.’ (offensive to druids?)
‘Sir, take off the hoodie.’ (offensive to Jedi)
‘Operator, I need an exit!’ (offensive to Artificial Intelligence jailers)
Comment by JamesB192 — January 2, 2010 @ 3:48 am
This is what blasphemy means in the dictionary
From dictionary.com
1. impious utterance or action concerning God or sacred things.
2. Judaism. a. an act of cursing or reviling God.
b. pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton (YHVH) in the original, now forbidden manner instead of using a substitute pronunciation such as Adonai.
3. Theology. the crime of assuming to oneself the rights or qualities of God.
4. irreverent behavior toward anything held sacred, priceless, etc.: He uttered blasphemies against life itself
Legal dictionary
Legal Dictionary
Main Entry: blas·phe·my
Pronunciation: ‘blas-f&-mE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -mies
: the crime of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God or a religion and its doctrines and writings and esp. God as perceived by Christianity and Christian doctrines and writings
Words like perceived and showing contempt make me wonder if these laws are a good thing or not. Very open to abuse I think.
Comment by Gary Perkins — January 2, 2010 @ 3:48 am
[...] Irish atheists have a grand site and are already stirring the pot. But I have one question, when one religion disputes the claims of another and tells them they are [...]
Pingback by Irish blasphemy law comes into effect – that’s one way to deal with clerical child abuse, make it illegal to talk about it « voice from the pack — January 2, 2010 @ 4:32 am
Joesph Smith beats jesus christ’s ass. OK, not really, one was a fraud and the other just never was.
Maybe more to the point though, mormons say that their god idea told them that all other religions were bad, if the other religionists aren’t insulted by the mormons, but are insulted by the words of non-deities (well yeah, that would be the set including all words), they obviously have misplaced sensibilities. The first thing that would need to happen to get rid of the published insults would be to burn all the religious handbooks because they all insult each other. Stupid christians! Stupid muslims! Stupid jews! Stupid people who think a law banning insults could ever be workable! I’m an atheist, christians and muslims have been insulting me for decades and continue to do so every day.
You burn in a fire forever you disgusting theists.
Comment by Doug Jensen — January 2, 2010 @ 4:37 am
Fuck the “Holy” Mother Church, especially the Irish franchise, and may the pope and all hypocrites get severely thrashed in the bum with a burning iron until they bleed to death.
Small contribution to your cause, lads. Do not shy away from this fight – let’s take this one in the open field.
I used to respect the Republic for the fact it was born from generations of desiring freedom from an oppressor that let the fruits of the good land be exported instead of feeding it’s starving people, who carried the same burning passion and iron will to fight for the Emerald Isle from the middle ages to the beginning of the last century. You sirs that approved this law are indeed a blasphemy to these fighters and all they stood for, and I hope you are made very aware of it.
Comment by Sycho — January 2, 2010 @ 4:40 am
What bothers me the most about organised religion is that they think theres a better world than this one ,So that gives them the idea that destroying this one is acceptable.If Jesus died for our sins then why do they still consider newborns sinners?Women should stop going to church until organised religion stops psychologically abusing children.
Comment by Gary — January 2, 2010 @ 5:05 am
Well done, absolutely well done.
This law is an exercise in lunacy, and you are right to fight it. Keep up the good work.
Comment by Invisible Sky Wizard — January 2, 2010 @ 5:35 am
You should do 25 a day.
Comment by oneoveralpha — January 2, 2010 @ 5:37 am
BRAVO! Brilliant. Kudos to you guys for doing this. At least some order and intelligence amidst all the darkness and chaos of religion and violence.
Now only if we can grow a pair in Pakistan and follow the Irish lead.
All the best to you guys.
Comment by Muhammad — January 2, 2010 @ 5:38 am
One person’s fervent blasphemy is another’s devout prayer.
Even the UN decided a universal ban on blasphemy is worst than Salomon trying to carve up a baby.
Ah well, leave it to the monotheistic hierarchy to spit on reason and logic.
Comment by hatchetfoot — January 2, 2010 @ 5:39 am
Good to see Ireland’s becoming more like Tennessee were Elvis preachers scour McDonalds for converts.
Comment by Boll Shyt — January 2, 2010 @ 5:51 am
“Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.”
– Diderot
Comment by Joesph K — January 2, 2010 @ 5:53 am
Millions of Muslims follow the Pedophile Prophet.
Comment by James Milton — January 2, 2010 @ 5:53 am
Regarding the quote from Prophet Muhammad, upon whom be peace, and “Islamic anti-semitism”: First of all, are you aware that both Arabs and Jews are semites? Second, the “curses” against Jews or other groups in the Holy Qur’an and hadiths did not apply to all members of those groups. They applied to specific members BECAUSE they committed specific acts (behaviors), not because of who they were. This fact is indicated in the hadith quotation itself. Third, there is no lack of anti-Muslim feeling among Jews, especially today–but it is noticeable that that seems to have gone unnoticed here. Fourth, there are many OTHER hadiths and Qur’anic verses that say positive things about Jews and Christians–again, differentiating among individuals within those groups. Finally, I know that most of the atheists on this site consider themselves to be vastly intellectually superior to religious people, and yet the comments against religion and religious people are so predictable and repetitive. Not infrequently, they are also scatalogical or profane, which indicates a mind that is, in fact, stagnant, far from being superior. So, comment away, atheists. But don’t imagine that you’re saying anything new.
Comment by Robert Stallmann — January 2, 2010 @ 5:56 am
[...] a group that claims to represent the rights of atheists, responded to the new law by publishing 25 anti-religious quotations on its website, from figures including Richard Dawkins, Bj
Pingback by 2010....... - Mind If I Do A J? — January 2, 2010 @ 5:59 am
Let’s party like it’s 1399!!
Comment by martino — January 2, 2010 @ 6:04 am
[...] From the free speech front, Atheist Ireland has published a list of 25 blasphemous quotes in challenge the new anti-blasphemy la…. The law imposes a €25,000 fine for speech (written or otherwise) which “is grossly abusive [...]
Pingback by Christian A. Young’s Dimlight Archive | — January 2, 2010 @ 6:05 am
Where do this law and hate-speech laws meets up? We are on a seriously slippery slope. I can’t say that “homosexuals are evil and must be destroyed” (not that I think that!), but I can say that “muhammeds laws are evil and should be destoyed”. I just don’t see clear lines. In hate speech you identify one specific group of people, and call for violent action against them. In blashemy you identify one organization, and by implication all its members, and call for it’s destruction. I can’t deny the holocaust, but I can deny that Jesus ever lived. I mean, you can clearly see the historical evidence, which indicates which statement is likely true, but are we going to start banning non-scientifically backed speech as well?
Free speech or not, you can’t have it both ways.
Comment by Anon — January 2, 2010 @ 6:06 am
Excellent work in maintaining this site, keep up the fight.
In Australia, the choice of “no religion” is legally a religious choice, maybe consider pressing the same and using the new laws to bring action against any who challenge you? To highlight the stupidity in the laws naturally.
Comment by Russ Roach — January 2, 2010 @ 6:06 am
A lot of you people need to wake up and realise why we are here in the first place. If you dont think god exists then in reality you are assuming that you are your own god. But you have no qualities of a god. You are taking a chance of going to hell, why would you do that when it will only mean you will end up suffering for eternity. Have you ever tried living by gods rules? None of the problems in the world would exist if we lived by gods rules. Instead we have forgotten god and hence the reason the world is in the state it is in right now. It is easy not to believe in something you cannot see but if you dont have that belief then you will be blind to the truth that is religion. Ask yourselves why we are here, human beings were made to believe in god. If you dont have that belief then we might as well class ourselves as animals. Wake up sheeple before its too late
Comment by Imran — January 2, 2010 @ 6:09 am
When I first heard about the law change in Ireland I was shocked. After reading some of the hateful shite written on here you have to question the wisdom of free speech; maybe this new law is a good thing. I always heard that it was the religious who had the monopoly on arrogance and close-mindedness; obviously not. I personally do not believe in any god, but I am not deluded enough to believe that I have all the answers. The real shame is that such a law is needed, but it is obvious from the hate mongering on here that it is.
Comment by Joe Quinn — January 2, 2010 @ 6:17 am
Priests of any kind and their belief system/s ought to be treated in a similar fashion to a political/public figure, that is to say they and beliefs are held accountable by the populist and anything goes. I wonder if the basis for this new law is to prevent youth who were victimized from the molestations of the church leaders to come forward in fear of being fined? At this rate scientific inquiry will be made illegal in no time.
Comment by Lux — January 2, 2010 @ 6:17 am
Freedom of speech should prevail, probably both believers and no believers would agree. For the non believers that show some respect for our beliefs, thank you. For the non believers that enjoy the opportunity to offend believers, we will pray for you and I hope you have the opportunity to discover God in your daily life.
Comment by Mikhael — January 2, 2010 @ 6:21 am
Yes, that law is bullshit and I feel sorry for the irish but most of these comments are from ignorant fucks.
If you want people to respect your atheist beliefs don’t talk shit on everyone else’s.
Do unto others…
Comment by Mina — January 2, 2010 @ 6:21 am
You can be convicted of a crime against something that doesn’t exist? Woah… I may have to think about that one before I can make a lucid comment!
Comment by Sean — January 2, 2010 @ 6:21 am
Yeah, I’m a christian…
I find the quotes that you posted to be as hilarious, and as offensive as you do. Good luck fighting the blasphemy laws, and please keep in mind you have allies on the other side as well.
Comment by Nick — January 2, 2010 @ 6:26 am
This is news to me. A law against blasphemy? I thought that kind of faded away when they stopped burning women, although I hear women are still burned as witches in some countries so go figure.
Shocking.
CH
Comment by Chris Hall — January 2, 2010 @ 6:34 am
Muhammad loved it in the ass as well. That is to say, he liked the environment inside a donkey. This is why Islam is rapidly growing; only those of sub-average intelligence could be attracted to such shit. But now, truly, the law is an ass too.
Comment by Dan Builder — January 2, 2010 @ 6:35 am
Why isn’t there a donation link on this page?? I’m not an atheist but I am a firm believer in freedom of speech and thought. I would gladly donate money to fund a repeal of this backwards discriminatory law.
Comment by Xenu — January 2, 2010 @ 6:37 am
Truth is something so noble that if God could turn aside from it, I could keep the truth and let God go. -Meister Eckhart
Prevailed, twice, in his own defence against the Inquisition for charges of blasphemy. Excommunicated posthumously.
Comment by Товарищ Х — January 2, 2010 @ 6:38 am
@ Dan Builder
^^^ ex. “ignorant fuck”
Comment by Mina — January 2, 2010 @ 6:41 am
superb, thank you and good luck.
Comment by Andrew MW — January 2, 2010 @ 6:44 am
My responses to a comment from Imran — January 2, 2010 @ 6:09 am
“A lot of you people need to wake up and realise why we are here in the first place. If you dont think god exists then in reality you are assuming that you are your own god. But you have no qualities of a god.”
If by that you are intimating that I don’t get a galaxy wide boner when people kill each other over me and my like, then yes I have no qualities of a god.
“You are taking a chance of going to hell, why would you do that when it will only mean you will end up suffering for eternity.”
I’ve often wondered about eternity. Does it truly go on forever and ever amen?
“Have you ever tried living by gods rules?”
I wasn’t aware there were any.
“None of the problems in the world would exist if we lived by gods rules. Instead we have forgotten god and hence the reason the world is in the state it is in right now.”
You are sooo right. Let’s all believe in your god and be happy. Which god is that again? The god of all gods maybe, or a lesser god of some kind?
“It is easy not to believe in something you cannot see but if you dont have that belief then you will be blind to the truth that is religion. Ask yourselves why we are here, human beings were made to believe in god. If you dont have that belief then we might as well class ourselves as animals. Wake up sheeple before its too late”
Wow, you have your head so far up your ass it’s sticking out of your mouth.
Comment by Bishop of Fuckface — January 2, 2010 @ 6:46 am
I’d like to know what is meant by
grossly
abusive
insulting
any religion
outrage
a substantial number
These are all subjective terms. But, by the bastard, the slut and the holy cuckold, why should I have to close my mouth just because someone else has a closed mind?
Comment by Thomas O'Flaherty — January 2, 2010 @ 6:47 am
It is great to see that the intellectial giants of athiesm are out in force. You continue fighting the good fight; your right to promote hatred.
Comment by Joe Quinn — January 2, 2010 @ 6:47 am
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2531009/the_arrogant_atheist_why_i_think_richard.html?cat=9
Comment by Joe Quinn — January 2, 2010 @ 6:48 am
I’ve read lots of comments about the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) on here, and this is a very good point.
If you really want to highlight just how ridiculous this law actually is, then someone should very publicly (on a website, say) insult the FSM, and a second party take the blasphemer to court. If the blasphemer’s comments were related to the fact that the FSM is a non-existent fictional character (as we all know to be true), then it could lead to a very interesting law-suit.
The courts cannot dismiss the case, since to suggest that the FSM is nothing more than a joke would itself be blasphemous (this would also be *very* dangerous ground for the courts – if they suggested that the FSM was little more than fiction, then every single other religious institution would be required to prove the existence of their God before a blasphemer could be prosecuted).
The case would have to go to trial, and if the accused accepted (without contest) full culpability, then the courts would have no choice but to convict the blasphemer. This would make worldwide headlines, and highlight just how amazingly silly this law actually is. If the prosecution didn’t take place, then whatever reason was given for dismissing the case would set a clear precedent from which other such cases can be dismissed.
I’m not sure of the technical details of this law, but I guess you would need to do the following: have the FSM recognized as an official religion in the next Irish census (just as the Jedi religion is recognized in the UK – see footnote); have an Irish citizen blaspheme against the FSM; have another Irish FSMian citizen take the blasphemer to court; form an on-line group of opponents to this law, and hope that you can get the support of upwards of 25,000 people (if the blasphemer is prosecuted, each member of the group can give €1 to cover the cost of the possible €25,000 fine). You could also use the same group of people to get the FSM as a recognized religion in Ireland (if the Irish content of the group is sufficiently high).
I don’t know when the next census is in Ireland, but I’d love to see this happen! We’ve seen “Jedi” become an official religion in the UK, and saw Rage Against the Machine have a Christmas number one in the UK charts for 2009 – both of these feats were achieved through on-line lobbying.
footnote: Apparently Jedi isn’t “officially recognized” as a religion, since the census doesn’t give recognition to the status of a religion, but merely counts the numbers (this is the same for all religions documented in the census) – but it would be better to have a good few believers of the FSM officially documented when taking the blasphemer to court, then it wouldn’t be so easy to reject the case.
further reading:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2757067.stm
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2001/10/09/jedi_knights_achieve_official_recognition/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8423340.stm
ps: To speed up the process, you could substitute the FSM for the Jedi religion in the law-suit, since it appears there are worldwide Jedis already on record.
Comment by John Robinson — January 2, 2010 @ 6:50 am
A uniquely Irish solution to a modern dilemma.
Our outdated and unenforceable law against blasphemy is not human rights compliant because it only ‘protects’ (sic) Christian beliefs from mockery or insult, and that ‘discriminates’ (sic) in favour of the Christians and against all other religious observers. Do we
(a) throw away the whole stupid holey umbrella from the middle ages or
(b) create a new, shiny, infinitely large umbrella to cover the whole country?
Hmm … that’s a tricky one to solve.
Obviously we go for option (a).
No, sorry, I mean option (b). Yes (b), definitely (b).
Fuck, I mean (a).
What do you mean “it’s too late, you pressed the wrong button”? I meant to vote for (a), I mean (b), no (a).
Bollocks.
Comment by Lewis Marks — January 2, 2010 @ 6:55 am
The Pope is the leader of the most vile and sickening organisation of sado-masochistic paedophiles, cock suckers, ass fuckers, hypocrites and liars who also manage to divest their followers of vast sums of money so they may pursue their blood thirsty physical and mental torture of men, women and children. I should imagine it’s only a matter of time before the courts also prove this to be the case in the sacred temples of Islam, as they have already found in the hushed churchs of England. Mind you, I haven’t got anything against sado-masochism or cock sucking or ass fucking. After all, I learnt all about their joys in church as did many of my playmates.
Comment by A.TrueMan — January 2, 2010 @ 6:59 am
Boobs… now cheer up everyone.
Comment by TATA — January 2, 2010 @ 7:07 am
As a religious person I say… this law needs to be repealed! Religion and belief in G-d is a choice – and this law is a clear representation of how Ireland tries to inflict religion onto its people by banning anything bad being said about it. I enjoyed reading these quotes(what’s the point of believing in something if you can’t laugh about it?), and I fully support Atheist Ireland’s response to this law!
Comment by Elsey — January 2, 2010 @ 7:08 am
I was incredulous when I read about the new law in Ireland. (Maybe because I’m from the States?) I thought that government-endorsed religious censorship died centuries ago in the West. Scary.
To those people in Ireland who are sane – who hold free speech to be at least as sacred as one’s religion – I wish you my best in fighting this thing.
Comment by David — January 2, 2010 @ 7:10 am
Hi!
Great List!
Here’s another one:
Karl Marx: Religion is opium for the masses.
Something I wholeheartedly agree with.
Am I a blasphemer now, too?
In that case, thanks for letting me join the club.
Comment by Volker Hetzer — January 2, 2010 @ 7:17 am
Can we ban religion instead?
Comment by Sam Bretherton — January 2, 2010 @ 7:19 am
[...] Check out Atheist Ireland’s list of 25 blasphemous quotes, which is a protest against a new law on blasphemy that has just been introduced by the Irish Government. On the subject of religious criticism, a man [...]
Pingback by Irish protest for freedom of speech « An Englishman in China — January 2, 2010 @ 7:23 am
I find this law repugnant. Throughout history religions have attempted to stifle free thought, in ages gone by I could have easily undergone state sanctioned execution for my beliefs. A religion that has the basis of ”eating from the fruits of the tree of knowledge” is in my opinion an outrage on humanities abilities to progress. It can be no surprise that an intelectually underdeveloped set of legislators, who can only want to stifle freedom of thought, have passed this law.
I am embarrassed that the land of my forefathers have taken this retrogressive step, how dare they try to repress anyones freedom to express their opinion. They probably use the excuse that blasphemy upsets and offends religious people. I am an atheist, I have come to this conclusion from wildely reading about many religions and science. I am offended by religious people thinking that their beliefs should be exempt from criticism, while still being allowed to criticise my beliefs.
I can only guess that these backwards paranoid legislators realise that religion is beginning to lose influence as the children of Ireland get educated, and, realise that the mythological fantasy stories present in the bible are nothing more than the fantasies of a technologically backward desert dwelling culture.
My sympathies go out to all atheists in Ireland, you have been branded by the state as being evil. It could be worse, you could have been branded evil jews in 1933 during a massive recession in a so called progressive democratic country. I hope the next twelve years is better for you.
Comment by Steve Leonard — January 2, 2010 @ 7:23 am
Not original but as funny as any religion:
Brian: I’m not the Messiah! Arthur: I say you are, lord, and I should know… I’ve followed a few
Also, Irish politics is as corrupt as the the church it props up.
Comment by Paul McGrath — January 2, 2010 @ 7:23 am
“Lighthouses are more helpful than churches” -Benjamin Franklin
“The divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity.” -John Adams
“But how has it happened that millions of fables, tales, legends, have been blended with both Jewish and Christian revelation that have made them the most bloody religion that ever existed.” -John Adams
“In no instance have . . . the churches been guardians of the liberties of the peopl” -James Madison
“I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires.” Susan B. Anthony
Comment by nyoped — January 2, 2010 @ 7:31 am
It’s brilliant that so many people feel strongly enough about this law to do something about it. I am an atheist and this law makes me feel like a criminal waiting to be arrested.
Comment by Angus — January 2, 2010 @ 7:36 am
I, as a Christian, admire your efforts to repeal this law. It is unjust and clearly marginalizes Atheists. Although I must say, I would never even speak about someone’s delusions with the vulgarity used above. I expected some level of decency or respect toward people of faith, since the claim is made that “We believe in the golden rule.”
Regardless, thank you for fighting for human rights. Best of luck to you all, and stay safe.
Comment by Sarah — January 2, 2010 @ 7:37 am
Is Irish Anti-blasphemy Law Such a Bad Thing?
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2546889/is_irish_antiblasphemy_law_such_a_bad.html?cat=9
Comment by Joe Quinn — January 2, 2010 @ 7:39 am
Mediocre, badly planed move. You had enough time to come up with something smart against a medieval law, this is laughable. Remove the religion and what you get is a mass of ignorant and incoherent people.
Comment by tia o'c — January 2, 2010 @ 7:42 am
Well done! I hope you’ll trigger a fruitful debate and that reason may prevail.
Comment by Ron — January 2, 2010 @ 7:53 am
Keep fighting the good fight!
Comment by James Huddleston — January 2, 2010 @ 7:54 am
response to Imran
”A lot of you people need to wake up and realise why we are here in the first place”. I woke up aged 10, before 10 I really did believe that Jesus the hippy was the sun of god. Then I thought about it and realised how stupid the whole bible story was, some nice rules to live by and some that I couldn’t believe rational people could actually believe.
”If you dont think god exists then in reality you are assuming that you are your own god”. Why bring God into it? don’t you realise what atheism is. Let me educate you – THERE ARE NO GODS why would I think I was a god.
”But you have no qualities of a god”. Thank Christ for that!!
”You are taking a chance of going to hell, why would you do that when it will only mean you will end up suffering for eternity”. Nice argument Imran, enjoy all your virgins when you get to heaven. I’m sure that the 72 virgins were praying to get the chance to service such a fantastic guy as you when their life ends.
”Have you ever tried living by gods rules? None of the problems in the world would exist if we lived by gods rules”. I agree, let me know when god writes some, because the guy whose written them so far has got a great sense of humour.
”Instead we have forgotten god and hence the reason the world is in the state it is in right now”. Yes humanity has been really stupid, we have gone forth and multiplied and tried to seek dominion over all life on earth, ……. hang on, wern’t we supposed to do that!!!
”It is easy not to believe in something you cannot see but if you dont have that belief then you will be blind to the truth that is religion”. Not true, its very hard not to believe in religion when the majority of the world believe. Its so hard many have been killed or imprisoned – hang on, isn’t that what this law is trying to do, to make it more difficult not to believe.
”Ask yourselves why we are here”. Only religious people can ask this question and come up with the right answer.”human beings were made to believe in god”. I’m obviously not human then, does that mean I’m a demon in disguisee sent to tempt the unsuspecting.
”If you dont have that belief then we might as well class ourselves as animals”. Let me just go and check with my closest cousins, they havent mastered the language fully yet but they make more sense than you and are very adept at asking for a banana.
”Wake up sheeple before its too late”. Finally a statement I can agree with
Comment by Steve Leonard — January 2, 2010 @ 7:54 am
This law is the BEST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN EVER!
It is the Emperor’s New Clothes that protect and sustain the myth of “God”, by whatever name. May the Emperor now show off his New Clothes to the entire population with all the pomp and ceremony He can muster. Watching them unravel is going to be so entertaining!
I’m with posts 82, 142 & 202 amongst others (Yes, I’ve read them all!). Astounding and unbelievable that the mere concept of “Blasphemy” can be circumscribed in a 21st-Century law in Ireland. It was originally an invention designed by tyrannical religious leaders to punish sensible discussion of an indefensible doctrine, for the sole purpose of ensuring total political and moral power over their subjects.
The doctrine is as indefensible as ever; the law and the logic behind it even moreso, to the point of farce, if not hilarity.
Comment by Newrone — January 2, 2010 @ 7:56 am
This is about making a statement – not disrespecting religion. I support everything these quotes stand for. Thank you for standing up to them! I hope others who comment remember that this is not about demeaning religion, but about being allowed to think for yourself.
Comment by Rachel — January 2, 2010 @ 8:03 am
More blasphemous quotes:
“If god does exist, he must be an underachiever.” -Woody Allen
“The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as His father, in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter.” -Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to John Adams, April 11, 1823
“The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one.” -George Bernard Shaw
“We must question the story logic of having an all-knowing all-powerful God, who creates faulty Humans, and then blames them for his own mistakes.” -Gene Roddenberry
“There can be but little liberty on earth while men worship a tyrant in heaven.” -Robert Green Ingersoll
“George Bush was not elected by a majority of the voters in the United States, he was appointed by God.” -Lt. General William J, Boykin, U.S. Army
“O Lord our God, help us to tear their bodies to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead; help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded.” – The War Prayer : by Mark Twain
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.” -Epicurus
“There once was a time when all people believed in God and the church ruled. This time was called the Dark Ages.” -Richard Lederer
“Be thankful that you have a life, and forsake your vain and presumptuous desire for a second one.” -Richard Dawkins
“Pray to God, fine; but keep rowing to shore.” -Russian proverb
“Christians worship a dead Jew on a stick.” -George Carlin
“If God really existed, it would be necessary to abolish him.” -Mikhail Bakunin
“Abstinence makes the church grow fondlers.” -unknown
“If you talk to God, you are praying; if God talks to you, you have schizophrenia.” -Thomas Szasz
“In the beginning man created God; and in the image of Man created him.” -Jethro Tull
“The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish.
No interpretation no matter how subtle can (for me) change this.” -Albert Einstein, letter to philosopher Eric Gutkind, 1954
“So many pregnancies miscarry that, if you’re religious, you could call God the great abortionist.” -Rick Salutin
Popamoto
Comment by Popamoto — January 2, 2010 @ 8:04 am
What I have realised from the comments I have read so far is that you so called atheist are confused about life.Let me tell you confused atheist that whether you like it or not, God exits and someday he would come and judge you all, you better believe it before it is too late.The bible says in Psalm 14:1 that the fool says in his heart there is no God. I hope you are wise,you better serve God.
Comment by Jesus the only savior — January 2, 2010 @ 8:05 am
A sorry state of affairs, this. But to be expected in the over sensitive political correctness society being created. Next, will be the return of the dark ages as history is again rewritten to accommodate the ideals expressed by those enlightened beyond mere mortals…
Then they will create the laws that enforce the superior knowledge they alone poses on an unwilling population.
The laws are not designed to make sense or relieve crime, but to suppress freedoms…
But few care or resist, as long as they have a roof over their heads, meals and tv to suck out their souls…
Meanwhile the prisons fill with people who do resist change.
Comment by bullsballs — January 2, 2010 @ 8:07 am
God damn it.
Comment by Jim — January 2, 2010 @ 8:15 am
Well done Atheist Ireland, keep up the good work, this battle has to be won if we are to ever allow the beauty and wonder of nature and science to shine through and expose the stupidity of religion and its pernicious affects.
Comment by Tim C — January 2, 2010 @ 8:16 am
Comment by Jesus the only savior — January 2, 2010 @ 8:05 am
“whether you like it or not, God exits”
Good, so he’s left the building. Excellent. Has he taken you with him?
Comment by Thomas O'Flaherty — January 2, 2010 @ 8:22 am
[...] a group that claims to represent the rights of atheists, responded to the new law by publishing 25 anti-religious quotations on its website, from figures including Richard Dawkins, Björk, Frank Zappa and the former Observer [...]
Pingback by Irish atheists test blasphemy laws | FTR News — January 2, 2010 @ 8:23 am
Sure ye to burn ye are, lickin and whippin tongues that have been cleaning the Devil’s arse spewing forth ye blasphemy!
Comment by Paddy O'Reilly — January 2, 2010 @ 8:25 am
the more i read about athiests the more stupid i think they are. more stupid me.
des currie
Comment by desmond currie — January 2, 2010 @ 8:28 am
Nicely done, Way to stick it to the man… religious institutions are trying to regain a foothold in today’s society? WOW… it is kind of scary to think that if such outrageous laws can be enforced in today’s societies then how quickly humanity will revert back in its progression. Though seeing the revolt gives hope for a revolution to the ways of thought. I always prefer the agnostic route but goddamm when religion tries to interfere in my way of life I cannot sit and get abused like all its followers do… Hey listen up you believers.. go ahead and believe in spirituality.. do not believe in the Money hungry religionists
Comment by agnostic athiest — January 2, 2010 @ 8:29 am
Isn’t the internet great. We get to insult people who think differently and they can’t do anything becasue we are safe behind the computer screen. Long live the internet warrior.
Comment by Joe Quinn — January 2, 2010 @ 8:31 am
Richard Dawkins has written this in his book “The God Delusion”
The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.
Is it safe for him to come to an Ireland that proves itself to be primitive and as ignorantly superstitious as the most barbaric of the Islamic States? If fact I wonder if any of us are safe in superstitious Ireland, no wonder there are so many Irish jokes. I suppose that nuns will continue to abuse their charges and priests continue to bugger choir boys in the glorious name of god. If you need any help to counter this descent into medieval superstition you can count on me.
I fully agree with Richard Dawkins. If god exists he is a self serving bastard and not fit to be worshipped. Now my question is will Ireland use the new European arrest warrant to come and get me? Sadly under new European laws any member of the EU csan arrest a resident of any other EU country even if the “Offence” is not and offence in the country of residence. That Ireland’s stupidity makes blasphemy an arrestable offence in the whole of Europe. Beware the office of the Inquisition.
Comment by David Fahn — January 2, 2010 @ 8:40 am
Well done guys!
Great to her someone speaking on behalf of reason and against this ridiculous anachronistic law.
‘It is possible that mankind is on the threshold of a golden age; but, if so, it will be necessary first to slay the dragon that guards the door. That dragon is religion’
Bertrand Russell
And I thought there was no hope for Ireland. Thanks for giving me hope – good luck and I’ll keep an eye out for your progress. (And when I graduate and get a job, I’ll even make a donation towards this eventual bill:-)
hibernopithecus
Comment by hibernopithecus — January 2, 2010 @ 8:48 am
The gratuitous profanities expressed in the comments here are not so much blasphemy as the rantings of warped minds.
I don’t believe in an all-powerful being but I also don’t feel the need to insult all and sundry about it. That is true freedom of thought and speech.
Comment by Mark — January 2, 2010 @ 8:48 am
Poet Jacques Prévert:
Notre Père qui êtes au cieux
Restez-y
Et nous nous resterons sur la terre
Qui est quelquefois si jolie
(first four lines of his “Pater Noster”)
(Our Father Who Art in Heaven
Stay there
And we’ll stay on Earth
Which is sometimes so pretty)
Comment by Mike McKoy — January 2, 2010 @ 8:49 am
Luckily I’m not Irish nor do I live or plan to live anywhere near by. But I sympathize with Irish freethinkers/atheists/secular-humanists and so I shall say THE IRISH GOVERNMENT CAN GO AND KILL ITSELF! ! ! Who do these douche-bags,(possible)corrupt, greedy bastards think they are!? This is ridiculous!
And a €25,000 fine!? Looks like some pencil-pushers aren’t satisfied with the probably already equally ridiculous amount of money they get paid for their “work”. Nice get-richer-quick scam on their part.
Comment by MattHunX — January 2, 2010 @ 8:57 am
I have created my own religion, as others have done, based on a god given common sense. This religion finds the bible and the koran insulting, so does that mean the publishers can be sued?
Also, about the comment ‘bugger god’, maybe that’s what the priests wanted to do but found their target rather elusive, so picked on children instead.
Poor old Ireland!
Comment by Tony Green — January 2, 2010 @ 8:58 am
Nice collection of quotes. You might also like the article “The Koran Unveiled”, which takes Islam apart using nothing but the Koran itself.
http://secweb.infidels.org/?kiosk=articles&id=761
Keep up the good work! The world needs it.
Comment by Alejandro Rodon — January 2, 2010 @ 9:00 am
I’m a Christian myself, and I think anti-blasphemy laws are mind-bogglingly stupid and pernicious. If you criticize my beliefs, I am prepared to explain and defend them (though not on this thread, please); if I really want you to come to agree with me then obviously saying “shut up, blasphemer!” is going to be counterproductive.
I strongly approve of this website’s defiance of this ridiculous Irish law, and were I in Ireland I would defy it myself, though of course I would do so by denying one of the religions I think is particularly wrong and not say anything denying my own. For example, I might say “Mohammed was an evil maniac, and the Koran is not the word of God, and Islam is disgustingly violent, inhumanly cruel, pathetically superstitious, and intolerably misogynistic.”
Comment by Joe Shipman — January 2, 2010 @ 9:01 am
Why are religious people so worried about supposed bad words by aetheists? Surely, if God exists we will all be punished in the after-life anyway.
PS – God does not exist!
Comment by Brian — January 2, 2010 @ 9:04 am
John Lennon – Imagne
Imagine there’s no Heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one
Comment by Franky Van Ingelgem — January 2, 2010 @ 9:04 am
Congratulations! I hope to read and hear more and more against religions and related misbehaviours. I am disappointed about the cowardice of our governments, that have tolerated too much religious fanatisms.
Comment by Silvana — January 2, 2010 @ 9:04 am
It is not just religious people who are insulted when atheists degrade other people’s beliefs. I would imagine most decent minded people would feel the same way. You don’t have to believe in god to have human decency.
Comment by Joe Quinn — January 2, 2010 @ 9:11 am
As a UK citizen, I only came across the news by chance that blasphemy legislation became law on Jan’ 1st 2010. Ostensibly protecting other religions from the rantings of those who deny God, it seems this is a desperate bluff and is in fact a stanc to prop up a faltering, unsustainable Catholic extortion racket, determined to defend its borders against the rising tide of non-believers. What man or woman in a world where science erodes religion like the forces of nature whittle a mountain, can actually subscribe to the concept of a God? These present day cave people with their antiquated, unevolved explanation for the universe around them, defile the modern world. They have no role in it, and should be consigned to the extinction dustbin that has been the one true end for all the branches of humanity which Nature dictated should come and go.
This law is a disgrace to civilisation; an affront to democracy and free speech and is clearly a discriminatory article of legislation against anyone who offers an alternate view to God in all his guises.
Comment by ScottX — January 2, 2010 @ 9:20 am
Since Joseph was not involved in the conception of Jesus, Jesus cannot have
inherited a Y chromosome from Joseph. Therefore Jesus’ two chromosomes
must have come from Mary, and would both have been X chromosomes.
Jesus was a woman. QED.
Or maybe the Holy Ghost was a bloke wearing a feather suit just to
get a quickie from Mary. Maybe the angel Gabriel took his wings off
and gave her six inches of celestial pork.
I hope this is blasphemous and that I have broken the law.
I left Ireland 50 years ago to escape the Orwellian mind control exercised
by the Church. I was asked to believe a load of tosh because it was in a particular
book. All those balls-aching Sundays! Now the State has moved into the mind
control business. Well, it was their turn.
Here in Australia, if you commit blasphemy that is likely to cause a breach of the
peace, it is dealt with as a criminal offence, as is any other act likely to
cause a breach of the peace. But this is a social law to protect social
harmony. We don’t want people shouting ‘Balls to Allah’ in the mosque
and starting a riot. The law is not aimed at protecting religion from dissent.
Comment by primohibernicus — January 2, 2010 @ 9:21 am
Any law that confuses belief and reason must be repealed, simply because it carries the seeds of intolerance and ultimately wholesale slaughter.
This intolerance can already be witnessed: from the originator(s) and partisans of the law but also from its critics.
Let us push to have this law repealed, but not out of hatred. Instead let us repeal it because it will hinder us in our clear and genuine search for truth.
Comment by Pierrick Dridhamati Parigot — January 2, 2010 @ 9:22 am
First off, happy new year unbelievers. Good luck with the campaign to drag Ireland into the present.
snakes from hell, thanks for the lols
Comment by Tony B — January 2, 2010 @ 9:23 am
This is a great effort. Blasphemy is an idea thought up by those who cannot defend their ideas against better ideas; it is a tool for maintaining political power through religious means.
As for whether God exists or not, or if (s)he’s nice or nasty – well, that’s irrelevant to blasphemy law.
Though I find the discussion here interesting because the hard line theists and atheists are all convinced of their own beliefs, and cannot understand anyone whose beliefs are different.
As someone who knows the limits of my own knowledge, I am compelled to be agnostic; I consider atheism to be as much a faith as Christianity or Islam, as atheists believe something which cannot be proven (i.e. the non-existence of an invisible deity). If this could be argued in a court of law, it might make discussing God illegal in Ireland.
Just a thought…
Comment by Ben — January 2, 2010 @ 9:27 am
I’m just trying to imagine what the world will think when Ireland makes it first prosecution and then imprisonment of someone for the crime of Blasphemy! Judges must – I hope – be lying awake at night scared stiff they don’t get handed that one to rule on! Can anyone tell me the last time a democracy threw someone in the big the house for this???
Comment by GC — January 2, 2010 @ 9:32 am
It is a long road to bring light to the dark places covered by years of neglect and perversion. I think you have the right idea. Good wishes in your fight to bring Ireland into the light of the new century and the happiness of having a life that is not dictated by fools and clergy. You realize that the Church will collect far less taxes or alms from Ireland, the fight will be very fierce. The less the Church gets in Euros the more power each person has to do as they wish as the voices of damnation lose their volume with each coin kept in pocket. Religion is about collecting money and making a hierarchy of people who spend your money. They need to have control so that people continue to pay. Silk and Frankincense are not cheap. World Peace will be achieved with the loss of power to all Religions as people begin to live in reality and not with dogma.
Comment by Mrs Hohmann — January 2, 2010 @ 9:39 am
I’m a Christian but I think that this law is bogus. Even though some of the things that have been commented have offended me I would certainly defend the right for you all to say them.
This is because loving God should not be enforced by law because it would be meaningless because it would not be that person’s own choice. Jesus would condemn such a foolish law I am sure.
Comment by Skaro7 — January 2, 2010 @ 9:41 am
As I read this on BBC new I checked my calender. No it was 1st January and not 1st April. Yes it was year 2010 not 1020! It definately was a sad for Ireland.
So, this raises interesting questions as it would appear that this law its also selective about what you can believe in.
(1) Atheists do not believe in god. The existance of god cannot be proved or disproved so atheism has to be a belief too. Accordingly why are atheists not afforded the same protection under this law? Could it be because atheism could claim the Bible and Koran (amongst others) are blasphemous to the atheism?
(2) Then there are those who believe in other deities such as Satanists. The same question then arises!
I think I need to go and sit down with my imaginary friend and write our own book on religious teachings whilst laying claim to part of the middle-east (preferable oil-rich).
Comment by Gabriel Oaks — January 2, 2010 @ 9:44 am
Does this law cover leprechauns? As I think the odds of any god existing is the same as the chance of finding leprechauns or fairies at the bottom of your garden.
What are the Irish doing with this archaic law? I support Atheist Ireland with their campaign.
Comment by Dan the anti-theist — January 2, 2010 @ 9:44 am
this is so ridiculous it is truly unbelievable, as well as dangerous; and is tantamount to the ‘thought police’ in 1984…
i thought in the west we were both tolerant and accepting of peoples’ beliefs and faiths, but this reeks of religious extremism, such as in iran where you can be put to death for saying publicly there is no such a thing as ‘a god’.
just for the record… jesus was a bastard and mary an unmarried tart!
(if they even existed, which no one can actually prove…)
as for god, well obviously he/it doesn’t exist, so how can you possibly insult him/it?
Comment by wagbyname — January 2, 2010 @ 9:47 am
You blasphemers will all suffer unending unimaginable tortures at my hands!
your sincerely,
God
PS: I love you.
Comment by God — January 2, 2010 @ 9:50 am
@ Ben
“I consider atheism to be as much a faith as Christianity or Islam, as atheists believe something which cannot be proven”
WE DONT!!! (believe in something which has no evidence)- you need to try harder to wrap your head around this VERY SIMPLE concept, not spout ignorant platitudes.
try looking up – “I see no dragon”
Comment by Tony B — January 2, 2010 @ 9:55 am
I’m not a follower of any religion. I checked out this website because I was interested in seeing what Atheists think. Unfortunately I see that you are, on the whole, a bunch of foul mouthed people who are no better than the religions you condemn – conclusion, Atheism is just another idea protected by people who wish to silence others. Grow up
Comment by Dave — January 2, 2010 @ 10:03 am
Blasphemy is a victemless crime
Comment by Joran — January 2, 2010 @ 10:18 am
I would begin by saying I am a religious man with a deeply held belief in God. However, this new law seems to be setting out to protect the religious sensibilities of the adherents of religion – which is NOT blasphemy. If someone’s faith is strong, then why should a religious person become angry on God’s behalf? If it’s about protecting the sensibilities of people who hold deeply held convictions about religion, why not take it to its logical conclusion, and have laws protecting atheists? Blasphemy is to do evil in the name of God. To a Talmidi such as myself, blasphemy is bringing the reputation of God into disrepute – eg by doing evil in God’s Name, by spreading hatred in God’s name. Of course, so-called religous people would not like a REAL blasphemy law, because you would have to put a lot of religious hate-mongers up for trial!
Comment by Shmuliq Parzal — January 2, 2010 @ 10:20 am
How about “God is a fucking cunt”?
Comment by Phillipus — January 2, 2010 @ 10:20 am
Atheism and Humanism are concepts, not a faith. I have no objection to individuals having a personal faith, but object to the effective imposition of faith that inevitably happens by ’spreading the truth’ (a good deed in the eyes of the faithful), or ‘imposing ridiculous views’ in the eyes of us heathens.
I do respect and defend free speech completely, but would question just because something can be said, should it? All the quotes given by Atheists.ie are not openly insulting, and have a maturity to them that should be commended. Christians and Muslims, Jews and Turtleists should not impose their views through stupid medieval laws (as well as the assurance by ‘friends’ who care about me that I am destined to live forever in eternal torment, not because I am a bad person but because I refuse to believe in the Tooth Fai… God), but I also find unfounded statements that someone takes ‘it up the arse’ to be equally ridiculous and contemptible. Reeks of two gangs of six year old at opposite ends of a playground shouting meaningless onscentities at each other.
It just serves to demean and belittle us free-thinkers. I would wonder though if ‘atheists’ such as this are actually free-thinkers, as they seem to be as deeply smothered in infantile bile as the other lot. Bit of maturity anyone?
Comment by Chris N — January 2, 2010 @ 10:27 am
There is no no God. The imaginary gods of the christians, jews, muslims, vikings, etc are violent thuggish manifestations of the imaginings of violent and thuggish power freaks.
]
I wonder if the Irish law extends EU wide and we [ other EU citizens ] can be extradited?
Ok if they want to come and get me, Jesus is a horse fucker. [ no offence meant personally mate
It will be very interesting to see court cases being fought over this one, no doubt it will be a shambles and cost lots of money and time.
Steve Price , Malvern, Worcestershire , England. come and find me then, thought police.
Comment by steve p — January 2, 2010 @ 10:28 am
@Dave
I agree that perhaps some of the posters arguments on this site should be better phrased. But yet I find most of the comments pretty funny.
Thinking about it for a second, isn’t the Blasphemy law itself blasphemy? The mere existence of this law implies that the Irish Government somehow thinks that God needs protecting from unruly speech – therefore they must think that God is weak and just a little bit helpless. Oh dear, now that IS blasphemy!
So goodbye Irish government – you’re all going to hell. Well, you would, if such a place existed. Which of course it doesn’t because God is all forgiving.
Comment by Hugo Rune — January 2, 2010 @ 10:31 am
I think that there is some misunderstanding of the reason why there are “God is a cunt” postings on this tread, it is not to insult the religious [ mostly anyway ] it is to challenge the law, even if clumsily. The authorities have stirred a big wasps nest with this law.
Comment by steve p — January 2, 2010 @ 10:35 am
@317. “Blasphemy is an idea thought up by those who cannot defend their ideas against better ideas; it is a tool for maintaining political power through religious means.”
Not quite. Religion itself was invented for purpose of grabbing and holding of political power. A blasphemy law is just an attempt to shore up religion.
Comment by kpappleby — January 2, 2010 @ 10:45 am
Good on you! I look forward to bringing a blasphemy case against the Catholic church should they dare to comment on my newly formed religion which is based on the worship of a pair of decapitated pigs bollocks.
Comment by AJDAvies — January 2, 2010 @ 10:45 am
Ireland, the butt of jokes for centuries, has made good progress in showing itself to be a modern, cosmopolitan, forward thinking, integrated, European power.
Shall we start again children?
“They shall set aside 99% of their land to house the blaspheming non payers of fines and they shall call it ‘Full’ and above the gates shall hang a sign declaring the truth and it shall say ‘Sensible Ireland’”
Harry
Comment by Harry — January 2, 2010 @ 10:47 am
Hi, I’m from India and not an atheist, but I completely support Atheist Ireland in its fight against these silly anti-blasphemy laws. I believe in free expression of ideas.
Comment by Udayan — January 2, 2010 @ 10:47 am
James Joyce never returned to Ireland for fear they would throw quicklime in his eyes.
The Irish Inquisition has now devised a new form of torture- a E 25000 fine for “blasphemy”,called freedom of speech in enlightened secular societies.
Poor Ireland rushing headlong into the 15th century,the dream of Paradise Now ruined by reckless bankers, but still in love with the old Theocracy;the police and justice system still protecting criminal Priests and Bishops.
When will we have secular education,free of church intolerance both South and North.When will we have a Constitution where no religion has a priveleged position.
Comment by Daniel Daly — January 2, 2010 @ 10:54 am
Greetings to Irish Atheists from Finland
It is very sad and disturbing that things like the Irish blasphemy law can still happen in modern Europe.
For some reason only the religious ideas seem to be protected from critical evaluation.
By the nature of religious dogma it should be impossible to hurt them or their gods so why is it that
religious people are so sensitive to anything said against their beliefs. This suggests that people instinctively
know that their religion is fiction and try to protect it for one reason or another.
I’m quite hopeful for secularists though since it seems we are gathering strength in a lot of places.
In Finland 181 359 people have left the Finnish state church (since -06) through a web service that allows
people to do it in just a few minutes. Hopefully this trend will continue and get stronger.
As they say: Keep fighting the good fight!
Comment by Ville — January 2, 2010 @ 11:01 am
Why not also test out this new law in other ways?
From your website I am given to understand that the following is quoted in Hadith of Bukhari, Vol 1 Book 8 Hadith 427: “May Allah curse the Jews and Christians for they built the places of worship at the graves of their prophets.” This quote is attributed to Muhammad on his death-bed as a warning to Muslims not to copy this practice of the Jews and Christians. It is one of several passages in the Koran and in Hadith that can give a scriptural foundation to Islamic anti-Semitism, including the assertion in Sura 5:60 that Allah cursed Jews and turned some of them into apes and swine.
If the law states “blasphemy as publishing or uttering matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion” then have a number of people raise issue that this is blasphemous.
Get it into court and eventually the blasphemy law will disappear up its own deity.
Obviously it could be argued that there is a defence here as the text is part of another religion’s fundamental teachings so move to challenge that!
A law that is selective about which religions can blaspheme against other but are protected by law should not stand for long!
Finally could it be argued that the law is blasphemous itself through its failure to not recognise the beliefs of atheists?
Comment by Colin Watts — January 2, 2010 @ 11:05 am
Juvenile. Name calling. Idiotic. Immature.
You have (as one famous atheist Irishman said in another context) disgraced yourselves again.
Grow up.
Comment by Paddy Murray — January 2, 2010 @ 11:06 am
“Religious belief is a mental illness” – Angela Kingdom.
Comment by Angela Kingdom — January 2, 2010 @ 11:07 am
We can not have these Religious Fascists dragging us back 500 years after all the sacrifices that have taken place to push mankind forward against the wishers of these self serving organisations. We would all still be sitting in poverty watching the sun go around the earth if we still followed what these idiots have been telling us.
Comment by Neill — January 2, 2010 @ 11:10 am
“Mediocre, badly planed move. You had enough time to come up with something smart against a medieval law, this is laughable. Remove the religion and what you get is a mass of ignorant and incoherent people.”
Is not the “mass of ignorant and incoherent people” there already? Did they not just pass a blasphemey law?
In any event who exactly is this law designed to protect?
Are the religions of this world so weak that that cannot stand up to adverse comment?
Do Gods need mans law to protect themselves?
Or is it more a case of the ‘religious leaders’ need more ways of trying to control the masses whilst silencing those dissenters who don’t believe in imaginary friends?
Hmm, difficult one this…..
Comment by Gabriel Oaks — January 2, 2010 @ 11:15 am
If you just read all the comments, these smart and loveable people left.
I want each one of you to remember these quotes
so you can repeat it to yourselves and families when and if you get older/wiser.
You can see why they had to come up with a law like that.
PS. Lets see how fast a moron takes offence to this.
Comment by Mitch — January 2, 2010 @ 11:17 am
It’s a shame so many comments are purile, derogatory rubbish. There is no proof of any God ever existing, and religious dogma has been used and abused and set the human race back in its search for truth and knowledge. To have a law that protects such fantasies is ridiculous and purile itself, but to make playground comments here about others’ (misguided) beliefs does not challenge them to change and says more about the commenters’ lack of critical faculty and intelligence.
Comment by Yahoo Google — January 2, 2010 @ 11:22 am
Is the previoysly posted comment “God is a f*cking c*nt” blasphemous because it insults God with rude words or because it implies God is a woman?
Can we have some clarification please?
Comment by Patrick Fenlon — January 2, 2010 @ 11:28 am
All I said to my wife was, “That piece of halibut was good enough for Jehovah”
Comment by All Praise The Pythons — January 2, 2010 @ 11:31 am
Blasphemy is as easily given a legal definition as pornography.
Look at the problems that trying to draft and enforce pornography law has caused.
… and there I was thinking that all the intellectually challenged Irish politicians were in the six counties.
Comment by Tom Billesley — January 2, 2010 @ 11:36 am
In the Netherlands we are trying to withdraw the laws on blasfemy. Unfortunately, our gouvernement is led by christian democrats, they are able to block a majority in parlement(!) We are wachting the developments in Ireland closely.
Good luck!
Comment by Andries — January 2, 2010 @ 11:36 am
I’m with you on this blasphemy law. It is being used by Muslims worldwide to enable heinous acts against minorities, and even against disadvantaged Muslims. And now they want to globalize it. That Europe is falling in line is a sign that it has lost its discernment and its identity.
But your quote in #2, regarding Jesus calling the Jews evil, is misconstrued. He was speaking to those who knew of his good works yet opposed him. Sure, the quote *could* be taken by the ignorant and hateful as a basis for Jew hatred, but this was neither the intent of Jesus or the writer of the Gospel.
Comment by Paul B. — January 2, 2010 @ 11:38 am
I am a Jew and even I don’t see how any of these quotes are blasphemy. Maybe I’m just stupid or I just don’t care enough to let it bother me like it does other people.
As for Atheists I just don’t understand how you don’t believe in a God.. logic dictates that in order to not believe you must have believed it was in the first place. It would be in the same order I don’t see the wind but I feel it but I don’t believe it is really the wind, I can breath but I can’t see the oxygen molecules so it must not exist.
However you are more then welcome to believe in nothing if that is what you believe in
Comment by Scott Grayban — January 2, 2010 @ 11:40 am
I live in Ireland and am an Irish citizen.
I am also an Atheist.
Ireland is great in many way, but it seems to be getting less and less great everyday.
Our politicians are either crooks or incompetent or a bit brain-dead.
Our medical system is seemingly on the verge of collapse… followed by the education system.
Bankers wrote our laws through bribery and coercion.
Sectarian crime is on the rise again, as is murder.
Our so called religions leaders stood by as the nations children were raped. In fact many of them assisted the rape of these children.
And yet I, as a tax paying, law abiding, father and citizen will be fined for calling Irish Catholicism a farce.
Well, listen, it is a farce. And as those that have suffered immeasurably at it’s hand can tell you, it should be openly and clearly denounced.
Add my name to the list of people that are both more moral than my countries religious leaders and yet more likely to be prosecuted for unlawful behaviour.
If every crooked banker and kiddie-fiddling priest is jailed, then maybe you can start jailing Atheists.
Until then, you can take your hypocrisy and stick it up your backside.
Atheism is the one truth. All other faiths are abominations.
Comment by Chris O'Brien — January 2, 2010 @ 11:42 am
I think what the comments on here prove is that the atheist is just as closed-minded as any religious fanatic. It may be that a lot of these hateful comments are being made by teenagers, but still…hate is not the most attractive of human emotions no matter what you believe or don’t believe. I believe that spreading hate should rightly be a crime. The more I read the comments here the more the new law sounds reasonable. Respect is needed within a multicultural society and if people can’t respect other people then laws have to be made. The Irish government may be morons and the law may be a bit of a disgrace, but if it can do anything to reduce the spread of hate-speech it has to be a good thing.
Comment by Joe Quinn — January 2, 2010 @ 11:43 am
Surely unenforceable in this country since all judges must swear a christian oath to take up a position on the bench. There is no prospect of a fair trial for a non-christian charged under this law for blasphemy against christianity and tried before an inherently biased judge. All judges would be forced to recuse themselves.
Comment by Richard — January 2, 2010 @ 11:47 am
Great to see a healthy reaction to a dangerous law.
Zet said
“But… this is ridiculous. The blasphemy law clearly is not about denying an expression of ideas, as ideas are not blasphemous. As is stated above, blasphemy is considered to be something “grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage”. In essence then it is not a law which threatens to strangle a secular Ireland, but it is a law protecting the rights of the religious from having to deal with anyone who is “grossly abusive or insulting” to their most sacred beliefs.”
Ideas are blasphemous. The earth is not the centre of the universe. The animals and plants around us were not made by a supreme being.
After expressing the first idea, Galileo was tried in front of a religious court and placed under house arrest. On expressing the second idea teachers are subject to abuse from a well organised and funded religious fundamentalist campaign. There will always be some of the religious who find such ideas “grossly abusive or insulting to their most sacred beliefs.” The law should not protect these people from these ideas. Quite the reverse.
Zet, you “don’t see how protecting the rights of religious people is worse than protecting the rights of people who want to be able to be “grossly abusive or insulting””.
Do you think Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, and/or Darwin, gentlemen all, wanted to be “grossly abusive or insulting” to (at the time) a majority, or at least a considerable minority, of their esteemed colleagues?
The ideas they expressed were not intended to be insulting, and given my admiration for these people, I might choose to find it grossly insulting that you cast such aspersions on their characters. Should the law then censor you? Just because I am feeling especially sensitive this morning about protecting the good name of some of my favourite grey-haired role models?
Should I be prevented from discussing the following because I know it is likely to outrage and offend those whose condition it describes?
Viruses use our bodies to their own profit, multiplying and passing themselves on despite our best efforts to control them. Religions use our minds to their own profit, multiplying and passing themselves on. Clear thinking is our only defense from viruses of the mind.
Think clearly for one moment about these rules, common to the most virulent religions:
1. Don’t fight it. Don’t even think about questioning it.
2. Pass it on to your children.
3. Pass it on to other children (the younger the better) and anyone you meet.
4. If you find someone who is resistant to the spread of your strain (due, for example, to inoculation with another strain), declare their beliefs blasphemous. This can then be used as an excuse to a) Kill them (old school) b) Kill their strain (burn their books). c) Kill their future (take them to court, and steal their time and money).
At each step the religious strain in question profits at the expense of the minds and lives of the puppets it has taken over, and the well being of humanity. Blasphemy laws are the symptom which arises when the infection gets so bad it start to control the state as well as some of its citizens.
My intention is not to cause outrage, so perhaps technically I have failed to be blasphemous. I simply believe we have a moral duty to protect our children and our cultures from viruses of the mind such as religion.
Stuart
Comment by Stuart J.E. Baird — January 2, 2010 @ 11:49 am
Countries use blasphemy laws to victimize non-members of, and dissident members of, the ruling sect or cult.
However, if Ireland wants to claim then that is not the case then perhaps it will allow any person charged under this blasphemy law to cross-examine God in the witness box.
If the law is God’s will then God needs to be cross-examined.
It should not be a priest or some other claimed representative of God as the law is about irreverence against God. Furthermore the defendant would need to be assured this really was God’s representative let alone issues of hearsay.
Surely if God sees all then he can find the time to attend court!
Comment by Gabriel Oaks — January 2, 2010 @ 11:53 am
Shame on you all!
As a good and law abiding Irishman, actually a Plastic Paddy, resident in Brisbane, I have informed Garda.ie crime prevention, of your continued blasphemy. Expect to feel the solid, cold and above all hard truncheon of a stern faced Garda sometime soon, preferably in the rear. That will wipe the sickly grin off your blasphemous mug!
Best of luck testing this stupid piece of legislation. Note tho that this is a trend involving “terra” as a war party. Anything so that you do not notice that they are stealing from you. Take care, as the world is literally, going to be a colder place soon!
Comment by Pat Donnelly — January 2, 2010 @ 11:54 am
Thank you all for all your oh-so-well thought out and helpful posts. Some of the language and attitudes displayed has been disgusting, offensive, and does not show an ounce of respect or love. I came on to explore this issue and to understand a different viewpoint, but the majority of these posts displays a picture of a hateful bunch.
Thank you to those of you who actually posted with respect and love, and educated me in some way.
Comment by Neal Wilkinson — January 2, 2010 @ 11:56 am
- I think it was “Blessed are the cheesemakers”.
- Aha, what’s so special about the cheesemakers?
- Well, obviously it’s not meant to be taken literally; it refers to any manufacturers of dairy products.
Comment by Mark Edwards — January 2, 2010 @ 11:56 am
What this does is highlight the continued problem of millions of people who prefer to ignore the realities around them, and let themselves be spoonfed ‘answers’ to life’s mysteries. Essentially, it is cowardly; the unwillingness to face the fact that we don’t know all the answers, and WE NEVER WILL. If this law is arrogant, then it is nothing compared to the arrogance of the leaders of all the different churches who walk through this world (or are driven in luxury limos) proclaiming that they have all the answers. If only we could turn laws like this on their head and use them to muzzle the arrogant misleaders. Believe what you want, I say, but do it inside your own heart, where belief belongs.
Comment by Ivan (Madrid) — January 2, 2010 @ 11:56 am
Weak. You claim the quotes would violate the law without offering one piece of evidence. You managed to write a cheap hacket job without much insight. Try again, but please put thought into words.
Comment by Publuis — January 2, 2010 @ 11:58 am
Like implementers of underpowered marketing and opinion polls, it is regrettable that those who preach also claim to be Representatives. A sampled perspective does not guarantee the inferences about a population are more likely to be true. If gathering the facts seems too much like hard work, please Unplug Everything And Stay At Home. A few simple misplaced assumptions never made a strong foundation for a prophetic pitch from a gilded soap box. Biased, valedictory consciousness is only pretty in the eyes of the Beholder. The beholden think you are a tool; here, we muse on this and pick our noses while you only pick fights.
Some individuals in the business of cults – exponents of the dogmas of commerce/religion/government – are already deluded by perceptions wrought from an inherited, fragile grasp of context and Wisdom; others need to work themselves up into a bit of a righteous and poisonous fug before unleashing their branded like-mindedness. Thank you for deciding I need to be protected, ethically instructed and controlled. Pure, like You. The Greedy need to manifest control in order to justify their behaviour and thinking, but this does not make them more righteous than their imagined audience. They appear demented, overwhelmed by Responsibility and Mandate. When you assume your ugly message falls on appreciative, sympathetic ears and imaginations, you construe a lot of Need and therefore hobby time for Devotion And Damnation of incompatible systems of control. I’d have thought that the curriculum vitae of the uniformed papacy and Church speaks volumes. Murder, oppression and suppression, Superstition and Incest, money lending, regimented and enforced denial, insanely glorious Hypocrisy, and the occasional bit of debauched rape and paedophilia in the name of God.* There’s not much evidence of having learned to move along. Remind me again why you employed this person, why you adhere to His bent scripture, why you hungrily flock to participate? What’s in it for you after the fawning – holiday snaps and trophy T-shirt, a little icon of remembrance to worship and fondle, a reminder of your Place and your Guilt, your unworthiness? What did the Message teach you to expect?
Calm down. You don’t need to spend money on philosophy. Read a few books. Think. Don’t assume those with the loudest voices are right; they’re usually in a position to be heard because they’ve reached a gross compromise, cut their losses and are now worried whether their endowment policy for salvation will mature before the lights go out. If you’re really unlucky, they will have their Legacy on their minds too and you’re twice the idiot you didn’t realise you were.
This is grim and probably gets on my tits. I’d happily twitter about someone who could fornicate on an origami tissue-paper flowerbed without creasing it: more graceful balance, dignity and thought probably went into it.
*It also strikes me as a rather unconventional way to spend your earned crust.
Comment by Freddie — January 2, 2010 @ 11:59 am
“….. from the comments I have read so far is that you so called atheist are confused about life. …. God exits and someday he would come etc with a claimed posting by “Jesus the only savior “
Would not claiming to be “Jesus the only saviour” be considered to be blasphemy?
Comment by Gabriel Oaks — January 2, 2010 @ 11:59 am
After reading all the above comments. I just wanted to say that
May Allah guide you to the right path.
Comment by Syyed Faizan Ali — January 2, 2010 @ 11:59 am
With regard to Scott Grayban, comment 352, do you not understand how anyone doesn’t believe in Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy because logic dictates that we one believed in them? I’m afraid that your argument doesn’t hold water. Atheists don’t believe in God because his existence is unbelievable. It’s as simple as that.
Here in the UK the only sensible thing this government has done is to abolish the blasphemy laws. Here’s hoping that Ireland sees sense one day as well. Maybe a mass protest with blasphemous banners would draw attention to the cause. They couldn’t arrest and fine everyone surely?
Comment by Geoff Henson — January 2, 2010 @ 12:00 pm
Something is blasphemous only within a certain group; outside the group an opinion is merely an opinion. This case is no different from the furore around the Danish cartoons of the Muslim prophet – to most people they were merely cartoons. Indeed, it’s no different from anything that anyone might find offensive. If you don’t like something don’t read it, listen to it, or watch it. It seems to me that we are rapidly approaching the day when no one is allowed to express an opinion about anything for fear of causing offence.
Comment by David — January 2, 2010 @ 12:00 pm
Secularism must prevail for the sake of a rational existence! Good luck
Comment by Rick — January 2, 2010 @ 12:05 pm
I’ll soon be talking about this on BBC World Service Radio’s Newshour http://bit.ly/14Ta4
Comment by Michael Nugent — January 2, 2010 @ 12:05 pm
Whats next ? Evolution to be no longer taught in Ireland because it contradicts the bible …blasphemy.
Comment by Thomas De Brun — January 2, 2010 @ 12:08 pm
What a splendid waste of time, energy and intelligence devoting a lot of the little time you have on earth making fun of something you think is imaginary. Atheism is as rational as devoting your life to pissing somebody else off. A truly natural and civil state of affairs, just like the ‘good old days’ before somebody discovered we weren’t completely like bonobos or geese.
But there is something to be said about protecting the ‘rights’ of those who want to do that. If you don’t like their crap, ignore it. It’s not like walking in a doggy doo,is it?
Comment by Popsi — January 2, 2010 @ 12:08 pm
I say Amen! If political beliefs can be publicly debated, parodied, challenged and mocked, than so can religious beliefs. No special rights for believers!
Comment by Ross — January 2, 2010 @ 12:14 pm
I am Irish and over the years I thought the country was becoming more liberal and open minded. I refuted the blind dogma of the Catholic church years ago. There is no God and faith is no argument for belief. All religion is not only wrong but dngerously wrong – this law is evidence of that. I am entitled to repsect for my views and as an atheist I say all religion is bollocks and all clerics dself deluded fools. That is no God.
Challenge the law – refuse to pay the fines – I am ashamed of our government.
Comment by Terry Brereton — January 2, 2010 @ 12:16 pm
Keep up the good work. I am glad there are so many people who want to live in the 21st century, not the 12th. Keep up the great work!
Comment by Andrew Riddles — January 2, 2010 @ 12:17 pm
When did the Brian Lenihan find out about his cancer: a week ago? a month ago? six months ago?
St Peter: “What good did you do?”
BL: “I voted for the blasphemy law in Ireland.”
St Peter: “Welcome to Heaven.”
These politicians, they think of everything.
Comment by GMcD — January 2, 2010 @ 12:22 pm
I believe in free-speech and democracy and I am a roman catholic even if not practicing..as for me,you can believe or not but about “blasphemy”..Even if all of you are free to think whatever I do not feel fair to insult what is holy for someone else. You can trust or not,if you don’t just neglect..why this needing for offence? I am spanish,and I apologize if my english does not sound well understandable..but even not being a religious person I still feel deeply uncomfortable with these insults to some holy characters,same from any religion.
Freedom ends where you are offending others. And I prefer always to RESPECT. By the way,I am used to respect,my husband is muslim and that is the key of a good living together.
Comment by Maria G — January 2, 2010 @ 12:28 pm
So we’ve found our way out of the recession…. a swear jar!
Comment by padraig — January 2, 2010 @ 12:29 pm
Hebrews 1:2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
Comment by curt — January 2, 2010 @ 12:30 pm
At Joe Quinn et al: Even though some of the comments are perhaps childish and crass, the comments wouldn’t even have been posted except for the introduction of the law. The law created these comments so it makes no sense concluding that “The more I read the comments here the more the new law sounds reasonable”. And while attempting to talk reason. I’m inclined to agree that Atheists sound more and more like their religious counterparts in their sometimes overtly arrogant stance that god does not exist. There is no convincing evidence either way so surely the logical conclusion is to be an Agnostic. Human arrogance especially when combined with a religious stance is what has caused most of the problems in our history, the “we’re right, everyone else is wrong” attitude that makes it so easy to belittle and dehumanize and seems to be a factor in modern Atheism but that is a different argument. My main point is that these swear words that seem (quite bafflingly) to upset some of the readers and posters simply wouldn’t be compiled, and you wouldn’t be reading them or being shocked by them if it hadn’t been for this law. I agree that respect is needed within a multicultural society but you cannot force people to respect others using laws, you can only attempt to educate.
Comment by bonidrew — January 2, 2010 @ 12:32 pm
As an Irish citizen living overseas it’s so embarrassing that we still have such stupid and medieval laws – it enforces the patronizing stereotypes of the Irish that I find so irritating and it’s a depressing step back into theocracy.
What’s particularly worrying is that a lot of “educated?” Irish don’t see a problem with this sort of law. Why do some beliefs get legal protection from criticism but other equally deeply held beliefs don’t? Why isn’t my Atheism similarly protected from criticism? If I call it a religion is it then protected? Maybe next we should make it illegal to criticize somebody’s political beliefs too, then we can really jump wholeheartedly back into the middle ages! Texas here we come!
I also didn’t know that the Irish constitution effectively forbade presidents/judges who weren’t adherents to one of the Abrahamic(monotheistic)religions! What do the poor Buddhists/Taoists/Jains/Hindus/Confucians/Animists etc.etc. do in Ireland? Are they cool with their second-class status? I doubt it!
Comment by Steven Molteno — January 2, 2010 @ 12:36 pm
Well done. I hope that UK secularists will support you not only morally but financially, if necessary, should you be prosecuted under this fatuous, repressive and inequitable law. We raised over £100,000 in a very short time simply to fund atheist adverts. Get in touch with the NSS and the BHA if you need some fund-raising.
Someone in the first post describes the blasphemy law as belonging to the Dark Ages. Indeed it does and has been passed to protect beliefs which themselves belong in the Dark Ages.
Comment by Michael Green — January 2, 2010 @ 12:38 pm
Hi. I used to be a convinced atheist. Then I discovered that I actually shared a core religious belief. Every religion believes that all other religions are wrong. And I agree with them!
It is irrefutably impossible to believe that one religion is correct without necessarily believing that all others are wrong. (Otherwise what’s the point?) Blasphemy is simply the expression of that belief.
The idea that a “God” who controls the universe and will dole out virgins, nirvana and hell as he sees fit needs a blasphemy law to look after his interests on earth is unutterably laughable.
All this law will achieve is to protect the interests of those who control one particular religion. I should have thought the Irish people had all the evidence they needed in this past year of what such protection leads to. Certainly nothing that could be described as “godly”!
And by the way, I’m even more convinced that atheism is the only world view that isn’t deeply offensive. There is no god. There is no hell. Get on with your life.
Comment by Clive Russell — January 2, 2010 @ 12:39 pm
The problem with this law is that, in itself, it is highly provocative. Mild-mannered believers in free speech, who would never previously have said boo to a goose, will be so outraged by this law that they will feel obliged to make obscene comments on religion (see previous posts)just to affirm their right to freedom of speech. This will provoke violent reaction from religius extremists and there will be blood on the streets. Perhaps, just to maintain some form of balance, the Irish government should pass a law making violent crime carried out in the name of religion a specific offence subject to harsher than normal penalties.
Comment by Bill - UK — January 2, 2010 @ 12:39 pm
DOPE ON A ROPE, Rome, Saturday (NTN) — The Vatican® has stated that the rape© of children by Catholic™ priests is protected by a “special and unique” copyright, and anyone attempting to discuss the matter will be sued, excommunicated and declared a Suppressive Person.
“Recent years have witnessed a great increase of affection and esteem for the person of the Holy Father™, L. Benedict Ratzinger®,” said the statement. “As such, any person or organisation seeking to name, defame or allude to His Holiness®, any of his Bishops™ or Priests™, or any activities of any of said persons in any capacity, shall be deemed to have violated the Sacred Covenant of Berne, to be a ‘no case gain’ Suppressive Person and to be duly excommunicated and sued into atomic dust. ALWAYS ATTACK, NEVER DEFEND.”
Evidence only recently brought to light, “which we can’t show you, it’s copyright,” apparently demonstrates that playwright William Shakespeare™ was secretly Catholic. “So we’re claiming copyright in everything he did too. And Francis Bacon™. And the Earl of Oxford™.”
The Church’s lawyers have worked hard to defend their intellectual property rights on such creative works as those of the Irish priests upon their young charges that only recently came to light. “Our determination to protect and preserve the rights to view, discuss or know about these three-dimensional kinetic performance works, and our tour support for the priests to take these works ‘on the road’ to new parishes, demonstrates the unimpeachable sincerity of our stance — firmly behind the artists. Legs wide, of course.”
The Pope™ himself has been appalled at the reaction to his recent decision to beatify Adolf Hitler, and described his visit to the Pius XII memorial as “an upsetting encounter with cruelty and senseless hatred. I didn’t like it much either.”
Comment by David Gerard — January 2, 2010 @ 12:42 pm
Good job! Blasphemy is a human’s right.
Comment by Antoine Sportiello — January 2, 2010 @ 12:43 pm
Mr bonidrew, I really did arrive at this blog annoyed with the law, but the more I read the more it became obvious that there would be some benefits from it. I do not believe in god/gods but I find the insults of the atheist to be shameful. I also believe that these hateful comments are deeply felt by some of the posters here and not just because of some law; that really is worrying. I am originally from Ireland and it is sad to think that the athiests have just joined the other religious groups in being convinced of thier rightousness.
People should believe what they want, but don’t mock other people or view them as ignorant because they don’t share your views. http://bit.ly/5WtCyW
Comment by Joe Quinn — January 2, 2010 @ 12:43 pm
The virulence of the anti-religious sentiments above, combined with the ECHR’s absurd logic in the recent case about the Cross in Italian state-funded schools, demonstrate clearly how freedom of speech and religious freedom can be abused, and how rabid atheists and secularists can inculcate as much if not more hatred in the world as extremists religious fanatics. The Church can be separate from the State, and the public separate from the private, but Heaven forbid if the State and secularism attempt to drive morality and faith out of the Public space. Freedom of religion includes freedom of its expression and its practice in public as well as in private, and freedom from fear requires that those who exercise freedom of speech must do so responsibly and not to the detriment of social cohesion. That is why some kind of law against blasphemy is appropriate, just as are laws against the incitement of racial hatred. If you think otherwise, you are the problem, not the solution. Atheists, and secularists, if rabid and intolerant, have as much capacity for bigotry as any zealot.
Comment by Martin Nell — January 2, 2010 @ 12:45 pm
Interesting to see that many of comments on this article are sexual references to biblical figures. So what do the writers of this blog want atheism in Ireland to stand for – a reasoned belief that there is no god, or a vehicle for tasteless joke tellers to deliberately upset religious people through jokes like the above?
I’m not religious either, and I would oppose this law too, but the Guardian article on this is sending a lot of traffic to this blog. And what will people (atheists included) in the UK think of the movement as they click to your blog from the article that portrays the movement as one of free speech? Are they likely to come away with a positive view of your supporters?
Of course free speech suggests everyone should have the right to tell any joke they like, but there surely needs to be a point in such speech beyond the excuse that the law doesn’t protect atheist beliefs, so jokes against atheism are permissable. Surely you can rise above that and choose not to sling mud back.
Comment by Matt — January 2, 2010 @ 12:45 pm
First let me say, WOW, on two things on 25 “tests”:
1. Congratulations to Atheist Ireland for not including the Judaism/Moses in the list.
2. The first 3 are directly about Christianity and Islam, rest 22 “Blasphemous Quotes” are, again, loosely related to Christianity or Islam.
So, the test is for two religion only with exception of intellectual Bjork quote. (third WOW for so inspiring quote)
Now, read the comments, full of “fuck”, “cunt”, etc, sound very constructive arguments. ;=)
What could have been a clever idea is to publish a list of testing blasphemy on (say top 20) religions of the world.
Comment by The Man — January 2, 2010 @ 12:47 pm
maybe you should add Jesus Christ Superstar?
“So, you are the Christ, you’re the great Jesus Christ.
Prove to me that you’re divine, change my water into wine.
That’s all you need do, and I’ll know it’s all true.
Come on, King of the Jews.
Jesus, you just won’t believe the hit you’ve made ’round here.
You are all we talk about, the wonder of the year.
Oh what a pity if it’s all a lie.
Still, I’m sure that you can rock the cynics if you try.
So, you are the Christ, you’re the great Jesus Christ.
Prove to me that you’re no fool; walk across my swimming pool.
If you do that for me, then I’ll let you go free.
Come on, King of the Jews.”
Comment by jonah jones — January 2, 2010 @ 12:51 pm
A million Dubliners will be fined daily: Jaysus Christ!
Comment by Paul McGrath — January 2, 2010 @ 12:51 pm
Congratulations. We have to fight for the True….
And if the other do not follow the true, we have the right to take them to the court to be punished send them to the jail.
(Oh my GOD.. I am getting religious thoughts!)
M.
Comment by Manuel Graça — January 2, 2010 @ 12:51 pm
The Celtic Tiger has whimpered so Ireland retracts to the Dark Ages.
Comment by Paul McGrath — January 2, 2010 @ 12:52 pm
Since no-one else seems to be saying so: one does not have to be an atheist to oppose this law and laws like it. I am not an atheist but I am vigorously opposed to any curtailment of freedom of speech based on the sensitivities of any particular group – be they a religion or something else. It is a fragile belief system that cannot take criticism, parody, or even outright vilification. Nothing on this site offends me even in the slightest.
I can’t help but think laws like this are re-emerging in part because of Islam’s thin skin. If we have to tiptoe around the sensitivities of Muslims using the law, then Governments think they have to generalize this to all religion (otherwise Islam becomes a special case). So all of a sudden we have to be careful about *all* religious sensitivities and the thin end of the wedge has suddenly become fat and is splitting asunder our basic freedoms and the progress of the last thousand years.
It is also – of course – a symptom of the ever-expanding winding back of hard-won civil liberties throughout Western countries in the name of “fighting terrorism” (when will people understand that lunatic militants cannot be appeased by pandering to their medieval sensitivities?), “protecting the children”(pity about eg the children in Darfur, no-one care about them), and using these specious justifications to apply technological advances to monitor and control the population (because they can).
Comment by Phil — January 2, 2010 @ 12:53 pm
You have my support from France: Ireland deserves more than that!
Comment by Emmanuel Fujioka — January 2, 2010 @ 12:53 pm
Destroy ALL religions.
Comment by valisk — January 2, 2010 @ 12:54 pm
I like that Frank Zappa speaks of Santa Claus!
In the end, I think this website is quite pitiful. To spend time purposefully trying to offend others is a waste of time and simply not compassionate. There are true human rights issues in this world that attempt to help others and this website and purpose is only meant to piss people off. You will get no where in trying to reverse this law by this website alone.
Comment by Diane — January 2, 2010 @ 12:55 pm
I do agree – entirely – with the aims of Atheist Ireland; in the case certainly the law is indeed an ass.
As for the comments here I think a lot of those commenting should grow up a bit.
Too easy to say e.g. “fuck your God &c., &c.” Come on! being a naughty boy and blowing raspberries is simply not good enough. If atheists are to demonstrate that they are correct, then the language of the gutter is not the way to do it!
Paul
Comment by Paul Leclercq — January 2, 2010 @ 12:55 pm
Great to see a healthy reaction to a dangerous law.
Zet said
“But… this is ridiculous. The blasphemy law clearly is not about denying an expression of ideas, as ideas are not blasphemous. As is stated above, blasphemy is considered to be something “grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage”. In essence then it is not a law which threatens to strangle a secular Ireland, but it is a law protecting the rights of the religious from having to deal with anyone who is “grossly abusive or insulting” to their most sacred beliefs.”
Ideas are blasphemous. The earth is not the centre of the universe. The animals and plants around us were not made by a supreme being.
After expressing the first idea, Galileo was tried in front of a religious court and placed under house arrest. On expressing the second idea teachers are subject to abuse from a well organised and funded religious fundamentalist campaign. There will always be some of the religious who find such ideas “grossly abusive or insulting to their most sacred beliefs.” The law should not protect these people from these ideas. Quite the reverse.
Zet, you “don’t see how protecting the rights of religious people is worse than protecting the rights of people who want to be able to be “grossly abusive or insulting””.
Do you think Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, and/or Darwin, gentlemen all, wanted to be “grossly abusive or insulting” to (at the time) a majority, or at least a considerable minority, of their esteemed colleagues?
The ideas they expressed were not intended to be insulting, and given my admiration for these people, I might choose to find it grossly insulting that you cast such aspersions on their characters. Should the law then censor you? Just because I am feeling especially sensitive this morning about protecting the good name of some of my favourite grey-haired role models?
Should I be prevented from discussing the following because I know it is likely to outrage and offend those whose condition it describes?
Viruses use our bodies to their own profit, multiplying and passing themselves on despite our best efforts to control them. Religions use our minds to their own profit, multiplying and passing themselves on. Clear thinking is our only defense from viruses of the mind.
Think clearly for one moment about these rules, common to the most virulent religions:
1. Don’t fight it. Don’t even think about questioning it.
2. Pass it on to your children.
3. Pass it on to other children (the younger the better) and anyone you meet.
4. If you find someone who is resistant to the spread of your strain (due, for example, to inoculation with another strain), declare their beliefs blasphemous. This can then be used as an excuse to a) Kill them (old school) b) Kill their strain (burn their books). c) Kill their future (take them to court, and steal their time and money).
At each step the religious strain in question profits at the expense of the minds and lives of the puppets it has taken over, and the well being of humanity. Blasphemy laws are the symptom which arises when the infection gets so bad it start to control the state as well as some of its citizens.
My intention is not to cause outrage, so perhaps technically I have failed to be blasphemous. I simply believe we have a moral duty to protect our children and our cultures from viruses of the mind such as religion. The best protection is to make our mental immune systems aware of their existence and properties.
Stuart
Comment by Stuart J.E. Baird — January 2, 2010 @ 1:00 pm
How is a religion defined. Does it have to be registered in Irelend before it can be blasphemed. Surely you could set up a protest religion similar to Pastafarianism where your religious belief is to offend all other religions, therefore becoming exempt from the silly laws!
Comment by Alex — January 2, 2010 @ 1:02 pm
I wonder why this did not make the cut:
“Of all the systems of religion that ever were invented, there is none more derogatory to the Almighty, more unedifying to man, more repugnant to reason, and more contradictory in itself, than this thing called Christianity. Too absurd for belief, too impossible to convince, and too inconsistent for practice, it renders the heart torpid, or produces only atheists and fanatics.”
Thomas Paine, Age of Reason
Comment by Curtis Steinmetz — January 2, 2010 @ 1:03 pm
As a northerner, I’d like to say: great work, Irish Atheists.
Hopefully this insane legislation can be destroyed at he first legal challenge.
Comment by doze — January 2, 2010 @ 1:06 pm
I hope the pope dies in a freak yachting accident. He is a genocidal, racist, nazi-supporting, paedophile-collecting, professional virgin (publicly at least) who pretends to believe in the indefensible so he can wear dresses containing more gold than most African countries have in their national reserves. The bastard lives in a massive bachelor pad palace that is only slightly smaller than the vatican state which would feed millions if used to properly serve humankind.
Oh, and jesus is pretend.
Will that do?
Comment by Nik — January 2, 2010 @ 1:07 pm
I just found the image of jesus in my weetabix (the ALDI variety)
I know a lot of people visit LIDL every week and wait for their missal in the local newspapers so I’m not trying to offend you but it must be obvious that you have made the wrong choice.
Repent, you local ALDI will welcome you to the one true church.
Comment by John Mul — January 2, 2010 @ 1:08 pm
and the fool said in his heart: there is no god……..
Comment by Martin — January 2, 2010 @ 1:09 pm
I am really pleased to learn about Ireland’s new blasphemy law.
This is a well timed piece of legislation.
As a stand-up comic new material is always difficult to find and now I have a whole season’s worth!
Thanks guys!
Comment by Patrick Fenlon — January 2, 2010 @ 1:09 pm
I projectile-vomited the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Does that make me the father of God?
Comment by Conor — January 2, 2010 @ 1:10 pm
And lo’, for Bill & Ted did turn unto them and say, “Be most excellent to one another…. And party on”.
And they did.
And all was well in the World.
Comment by Barry — January 2, 2010 @ 1:16 pm
Thanks for publishing this. Shocked that I live in a country where such a crazy, backwards law was allowed to pass. I can’t imagine this is the kind of law anyone will be charged with (unless they ‘blaspheme’ in a very public place) but I’m disgusted that our Government allowed a law that denies a significant amount of our population our freedom of expression.
Comment by Maccy — January 2, 2010 @ 1:20 pm
the muslims religious leaders or so called mullahs are just like catholic preists the are nothing but a sex deprived peadophiles its so commom in pakistan and in other muslim countries where mullahs bugger young boys and girls and no one raises a voice if they do their houses are burnt and they are killed accused of blasphemy
i can not imagine irish people allowed this to become law this is worst than taliban and mullahs in pakistan or SUHRAATAS in saudi arabia they are just a bunch of wankers child mollesters
hope all religious people burn in hell if there is one
but get that law changed in ireland or next it would be SHARIA LAW IN uk which is effective in some parts of uk already
i ran from pakistan to avoid these religious bastards not only they are in uk now but a bunch of wankers in ireland are behaving the same in ireland
Comment by a muslim in uk — January 2, 2010 @ 1:24 pm
Blasphemy is a divine right that no man made law can deny
Comment by Fergal Harkin — January 2, 2010 @ 1:24 pm
God fuck Dermot Ahern, the bitch that bred him and the dog she did it with
Comment by FR — January 2, 2010 @ 1:24 pm
Wow great stuff..I love the Irish but this is ridiculous
the jews started all this baloney with their fairy tales
ooops did I just blaspheme?
Comment by billbo — January 2, 2010 @ 1:26 pm
European Convention on Human Rights
Article 9 – Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, and to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
2. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
Is it my reading of this piece of legislation but by denying protection to Atheists through a badly written law, the Irish government may have contravened any persons’ human rights by not enshrining beliefs in the protection?
European Court of Human Rights anyone?
Comment by Fin — January 2, 2010 @ 1:26 pm
If anyone ever finds him or herself in court charged with blasphemy then all the defence team need to do is call god as a witness to explain how hurt he/she/it feels.
If they don`t turn up….case dismissed.
What is the difference between god and Bono ?………….god does`nt walk down Grafton St thinking he`s Bono.
Comment by Jeff Wesley — January 2, 2010 @ 1:29 pm
Blasphemy, blasphemy, Jesus takes it up the ass fer me!
Comment by bilbawbaggins — January 2, 2010 @ 1:32 pm
To Scott Grayban,
Logic does not dictate that atheists had to believe in the first place. This is like saying because you are Jewish you believed in Islam. Shinto, Buddhism first before deciding it was not for you. You may indeed have expored these other faiths, but you certainly did not have to believe in them to discount them.
You may find that atheists have explored more religions than the average person who has often accepted the first and main religion imposed on them by their parents. When one sits down to study a new religion, one does not start from the perspective of believing. You start with books and people, and examine the tenacity of the content, beliefs and behavior.
Most societies around the world force some kind of god upon children at an early age. Maybe for a few years as a child you accept this blindly because the adults are telling you, but as you get older you should naturally start to question.
Most Jewish people are Jewish because their parents were Jewish.. not because they found and selected Judaism independently for themselves as a good match for their personal beliefs – which incidentally were themselves largely shaped by Jewish parents and community. One can say the same for most religions – hence the demography and distribution of religion around the world that is no doubt aided by wars and spreading the word.
The ability to physically see oxygen molecules with the naked eye is not inherent to human beings, but one can however prove or visualize their existence or lack thereof by scientific means – just like you can perform a naked body scan and show explosives or lack thereof on the body of a person that could not be perceived by our naked eye. God on the other hand cannot be proven or disproven. There is no God test – if you make one then you will most likely win the Nobel prize. That is why we say that you have faith or belief in God. There is no more evidence for your God than there is for Nordic and Ancient Greek Gods – which I am sure the majority consider to be medieval.
The Irish government would effectively like to prosecute people for bad mouthing Thor, Aphrodite, Obi Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Mr. Anderson (AKA Neo). They all have one thing in common – they are fictional characters created by man. I believe that there were in fact approximately 390,000 Jedi in UK in 2001 census, surpassing official records at the time for Judaism. 14 Sith were incidentally recorded in Scotland, so take care if you are up that way. Matrixism also apparently has about 16,000 followers. Just because these stories were written in present day it does not make them any more viable than stories written by chaps in the middle east 2000 years or so back.
Moreover the religion that the Irish Government hold most dear has over the ages persecuted so-called witches, scientists, opposed equality for women, opposed homosexuality, gone to war in the name of its God. One only has to consider that Gerry Adams, Tony Blair, George W Bush, Gordon Brown are all so-called good church going Christians to appreciate that religion and politics should never ever mix. One can say the same for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Ariel Sharon, and Benjamin Netanyahu. All people who use religion to motivate the mindless minions to kill – something that should be against any truly good persons heart irresepective of religion.
My sympathy for the Irish. Glad that I am not subject to such a ridiculous law.
Comment by OneMoreCoffee — January 2, 2010 @ 1:34 pm
ENOUGH BLASPHEMY
By that I mean, that is probably enough blasphemous comments here.
Blasphemy here was only required to bait the prosecutors of this law.
They have enough.
Now we need more.
I have seen some other Australians here. There is an Irish embassy in Australia, something to do with potatoes I suppose. google it.
I used their website to send them this…
“Hi,
I have searched a bit on your embassy website but can find no information about your new blasphemy law.
If I, an atheist (just keep that to yourself please in case I have to go through customs in Ireland), were to travel to Ireland, would I be charged under this law?
Atheism is certainly blasphemous to any religion, whichever god the followers have chosen to have faith in, but is it offensive enough to be charged with an…offence?
Is it calculated on a percentage of population that is offended? Would I be in trouble if I offended Catholics, a large percentage, but safe if I only offended followers of the Flying Spaghetti Monster – bless his noodly appendages?
Keep up the good work. The Irish sense of humour is a fine thing. It is humour isn’t it? Some people might not get it. Perhaps it would have been better to bring it into farce, er..force, on April 1 with a sunset clause for April 2.
Regards,
Steve.”
If I am the only one that writes to an embassy then I will be ignored. They have cocktail parties to organise.
If all you rational and passionate people all over the world contact your local Irish embassies they might inform their government that the world thinks they are a mob of dickheads.
In short…Flood the Irish embassies.
(be mindfull of your local anti-terrorism laws. We’ve already lost that much.)
PS. if this Irish law becomes widespread that would be ” be mindfull of your local blasphemy laws.”
Comment by Steve Scanlan — January 2, 2010 @ 1:36 pm
The very fact that the various religious groups are calling for the introduction of such “blasphemy” laws, goes to show how weak their foundations really are. If religion and god was real then every person on this planet would accept it as fact. The fact there are now laws to protect their lies simply highlights how feeble their fairy stories are. Religious beliefs should be categorised along with schizophrenia and psychosis. “Christ Psychosis” is now becoming an accpeted term for such mentalists.
Comment by Max — January 2, 2010 @ 1:36 pm
To all the true believers, be they Christian, Muslim, Zoroastrian, Scientologist, Hindu, Pagan, or of any other faith: I am an Atheist. I do not, as you misrepresent, believe there is no God. For me to have a belief would require there to be evidence to consider and come to a conclusion based upon. There is no evidence of a God, therefore there IS NO GOD. This is not belief, this is TRUTH. Provide credible, documentable, and verifiable evidence of a God (divine spirit, alien parasite, etc.), and only then will I be able to make any choice that would cause my atheism to be a belief. Until then, if your faith is so fragile as to not withstand others speaking against it, if your faith is so delicate that you must redefine non-believers before you can debate them, then I truly hope that your belief in an after-life is enough to sustain you, although I sincerly hope that some day you will join those of us who prefer to find meaning in the world around us.
Comment by Bob — January 2, 2010 @ 1:40 pm
Careful, Joe, your ego is showing.
I’m disappointed, people. Really, I am. Don’t we atheists claim to be rational, reasonable, compassionate people? Many comments are so puerile, it’s a bit disheartening. I realise that some of you are largely taking the abuse to an extreme to challenge the blasphemy law, but it’s mostly just ‘HURR I’M DARKER AND EDGIER.’ I enjoy a fucking good swear now and then, and a little obscenity can be as fun as spunky tits, but you’re letting the side down folks.
You can blaspheme, you can argue against religion, and you can do so politely and reasonably. It’s not hard.
This law is foolish, and I support your efforts, Atheist Ireland – even if I personally question your competence. Freedom of opinion, eh?
Comment by Grey — January 2, 2010 @ 1:40 pm
“Monotheism is the epitomical hate crime.”
The evidence to support this is embodied in this absurd law.
And if they don’t get that, then the simple premise of monotheism should suffice: believe as we tell you to, or you are damned to an eternity of torment in Hell. There is no love in monotheism, only a form of dominion and control.
Comment by Rick Yagodich — January 2, 2010 @ 1:42 pm
fuck god, fuck jesus, fuck the bible, only thing a religious book is good for is toilet paper or lighting a fire etc
fuck the church and fuck the politician that pushed this shit thru lol, WTF
Comment by adhd — January 2, 2010 @ 1:43 pm
Excellent! You have my full support. So, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor (#21) believes in the existence of “not fully human” beings – ie, those who do not believe in the “transcendent”. Interesting… there was another fellow in a pretty powerful position in Germany in the Thirties and Fourties who believed in the existence of not fully human beings too. He and his cronies called them “Untermenschen” and they devised a special treatment for these subhumans. I wonder whether the cardinal envisions a similar solution to his problem.
Comment by Joachim Krautz — January 2, 2010 @ 1:43 pm
In my country we’ve got bluelaws that were intended to defend public morality – Only Jews can have businesses open on a Sunday, no alcoholic sales on weekends, women in bikinis are not allowed more than 100 yards from the beach “Unless they are over 200 pounds, or accompanied by a man,” and so on (These are all real laws, by the way) – but no one has prosecuted them in living memory, and the only reason they’re on the books is because it’s not worth the hassle to remove them. There’s an understanding that if anyone *did* try to invoke one of these, they’d be laughed out of court.
Is it possible that your Antiblasphemy law is a poorly-worded variation on this theme? Your government says that its purpose is to circumvent religious intolerance in your Constitution, and they allow “Certain defences” to cases arising from this. I’m not trying to make some socratic point, I’m legitimately asking because I’m a dopey American and don’t know squat about Irish government or law, but I’m curious to know.
Presumably, if the purpose of the law is as they say, then they won’t bother to prosecute you.
For what it’s worth, I’m a believer myself, but I strenuously believe in free speech, and the law seems stupid to me. Not that it matters (Stupid American, and all), but I’m with you on this one.
Comment by Republibot 3.0 — January 2, 2010 @ 1:43 pm
Adding to the voices of sensibility, it does seem a shame that so many thoughtful responses are insulted by so many vulgar and crass responses.
I, for one, have some research to do as it would be interesting to understand the reasoning behind this seemingly extraordinarily regressive piece of legislation. Whatever I discover, it seems very unlikely that it will make sense!
Comment by Chris - CT USA — January 2, 2010 @ 1:47 pm
Good job. As you say, law should protect people, not ideas…
Comment by Ian Sankey — January 2, 2010 @ 1:47 pm
Dear Irish Atheists,
You have published matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by many religions and you have intentionally caused outrage among a substantial number of adherents of those religions.
The Irish Government would be failing in its constitutional duty if it were not to charge you with offences under the new laws of blasphemy.
You should be fined.
Does this help?
Cheers
DO
Comment by David Owen — January 2, 2010 @ 1:48 pm
Jesus was the bastard son of a rapist god – according to the Bible.
Comment by Antti P. Balk — January 2, 2010 @ 1:49 pm
The thing I find the funniest is how close Atheism comes to being like a real religion. Also I’m sure there are Atheist who are paedophiles as well, maybe even in positions of power over children like teachers for example, there will always be bad eggs in the basket.
Having said that the blasphemy law is ridiculous but what atheists have to understand is that religion is important to some people. A persons religion is to be respected much like race. Now you wouldn’t act in a manner which demeans a person for the colour of their skin so why berate someone for choosing to believe something even if you disagree.
To finish, grow up.
Comment by Eoin — January 2, 2010 @ 1:53 pm
What great timing: New Year’s in Ireland brings back blasphemy. In Denmark, blasphemy can get you killed:
http://avuncularamerican.typepad.com/blog/2010/01/2010s-bad-beginning-blasphemy-bigots-bullies.html
Excellent work, ye Atheists!
Comment by Gerald Loftus — January 2, 2010 @ 2:04 pm
First off, I disagree with this law. However, it’s exceedingly hypocritical that those who accuse religions of intolerance are themselves guilty of such vitriolic intolerance towards people of faith.
Granted, much harm has been done in the name of religion. However, a lot of good has been done, and continues to be done by millions of people and organizations of faith. Denial of this fact is either ignorance, self-deceit, or downright malice!
Any system, faith-based or not, that attacks others for their beliefs should not be acceptable in the 21st century. Unfortunately, many atheists are starting to morph into the religious zealots rail against.
Comment by gidoc — January 2, 2010 @ 2:06 pm
As an irishman living abroad I have many leprechaun friends back there who are pissed off at all you leprechaun atheists…THOUGHT..If any one religion had the proof for their existance there would only be one religion…religion is for those who need it.
Comment by sam graham — January 2, 2010 @ 2:06 pm
I hope you will manage to get this ridiculous law scrapped ASAP.
Good luck with this site, keep it up!
With kind regards from the Netherlands.
Comment by Sanne de Wilde — January 2, 2010 @ 2:10 pm
My own favourite has always been “Religion is man’s attempt to communicate with the weather” although the Gene Roddenbury quote above made me smile.
Having said that, I do not understand why some people are confusing profanity with blasphemy – the fact that you can spell a four letter word is hardly a reason to celebrate it.
A great many people around the world have found huge comfort in their religious beliefs in times of hardship and yet many of the comments here are only looking at the negative aspects of Man and equating that with the group they belong to. The Irish government seem to be trying to legislate against a hate crime but by excluding a group of people from this legislation it becomes a hate crime in itself.
If anyone is interested, my own belief is that Machiavelli’s view that the ends justified the means is God’s only defence for not stopping evil which, by His job description (Omnipotent Omnipresent Omniscient), He is certainly able to do. Therefore, even if God exists (which none of us know with certainty), He is not worthy of Worship.
Comment by Stephen Armstrong — January 2, 2010 @ 2:11 pm
Jehova!
Comment by Andy — January 2, 2010 @ 2:13 pm
Although the bugger better forgive me for this point of view
Comment by Stephen Armstrong — January 2, 2010 @ 2:15 pm
I gave up all religion for Lent many years ago…and continue to do so.
Comment by Patrick — January 2, 2010 @ 2:19 pm
First off, I disagree with this law. However, it’s exceedingly hypocritical that those who accuse religions of intolerance are themselves guilty of such vitriolic intolerance towards people of faith.
Granted, much harm has been done in the name of religion. However, a lot of good has been done, and continues to be done by millions of people and organizations of faith. Denial of this fact is either ignorance, self-deceit, or downright malice!
Any system, faith-based or not, that attacks others for their beliefs should not be acceptable in the 21st century. Unfortunately, many atheists are starting to morph into the religious zealots they rail against.
Comment by gidoc — January 2, 2010 @ 2:20 pm
I used to be in support of the Irish governing all of Ireland, however, given the level of stupidity displayed by Irish politicians in the passing of this law I’ve changed my mind.
Is it April 1st??
Comment by Teresa Sadler — January 2, 2010 @ 2:23 pm
DEAR MR OWEN…do you believe in fairies?
Comment by sam graham — January 2, 2010 @ 2:24 pm
from one of my favourite movies, Dogma:
“I’m telling you man, this ceremony’s a big mistake.”
“The Catholic church does not make mistakes!”
“Please! What about the church’s silent consent to the slave trade? And its platform of non-involvement during the holocaust?”
“Alright, Mistakes were made.”
Comment by JangoF — January 2, 2010 @ 2:28 pm
Good luck on opposing such an unpleasant, retrograde and ridiculous law. How can I donate toward the campaign?
Comment by Chris, London, UK — January 2, 2010 @ 2:30 pm
I’m adding these points to the collection of illegal blasphemy:
The Catholic church should be held responsible and liable for all the senseless rape perpetrated by their employees whilst having children under their care. Like any organisation – they have (and always have had) a duty of care to implement strategies to protect any children under their supervision. Instead of doing this, they have passed the blame, denied and covered up the raping of children. I see that some, even here, are claiming ‘but there are atheist pedophiles too!’ and I say that it doesn’t even come into the debate. The Catholic Church have not only created power play environments that increase the instances of child rape and sexual assault – they have facilitated horrible, misdirected sexual urges by forcing abstinence upon their employees. All in the name of God. If God existed he would have stopped the torturous torment of these thousands of innocent children in his name. No, he doesn’t exist.
Nor does he exist for the millions of Africans dying and dead from HIV/AIDS. The church instructed millions of people to not use condoms. They spread lethal lies about safe sex when they had a moral community responsibility to save lives. They did they opposite. Their dictatorial doctrine murdered millions. When a religion is so very widely revered that it is the sole source of information and instruction for a large group of people – it should be held responsible to the same extent of governments. They should be invaded and brought to justice – in the name of human safety.
These churches bring intolerance, hate, xenophobia and death to the modern world. Their negative impact far exceeds any ‘charity work’ they do. In fact, the starving people of the 3rd world would be able to eat more if their religious charities weren’t spending so much money hiring missionaries, printing bibles and building chapels.
Hold God’s children responsible for the horrible mess they have made on this earth.
Comment by Peta — January 2, 2010 @ 2:32 pm
saw a big guy walking up grafton street, in the the 90’s,wearing a t-shirt with “Jesus is a cunt” in big letters on back. street theatre at its best.
irish politicians have embarrassed us yet again in the eyes of the world with this nonesense
Comment by anto — January 2, 2010 @ 2:35 pm
I just want to know why religion does not appear as a subcategory of Delusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the World Health Organisation’s ICD-10, Chapter V, Section F00-F99, Mental and behavioural disorders, because, clearly, that’s where religion belongs.
Oh, wait, maybe it IS actually covered:
DSM-IV: http://www.psychnet-uk.com/dsm_iv/delusional_disorder.htm
“Delusional Disorder
“This psychotic mental disorder is diagnosed when prominent nonbizarre delusions are present for at least one month and the symptom criteria for Schizophrenia have never been met. Hallucinations may be present, but auditory or visual hallucinations cannot be prominent. Olfactory or tactile hallucinations may be prominent, but only if they are related to the content of the delusion. Psychosocial functioning may not be impaired and any co-occurring mood episodes must be of relatively brief duration.
“Diagnostic criteria for 297.1 Delusional Disorder
“(cautionary statement)
“A. Nonbizarre delusions (i.e., involving situations that occur in real life, such as being followed, poisoned, infected, loved at a distance, or deceived by spouse or lover, or having a disease) of at least 1 month’s duration.
“B. Criterion A for Schizophrenia has never been met. Note: Tactile and olfactory hallucinations may be present in Delusional Disorder if they are related to the delusional theme.
“C. Apart from the impact of the delusion(s) or its ramifications, functioning is not markedly impaired and behavior is not obviously odd or bizarre.
“D. If mood episodes have occurred concurrently with delusions, their total duration has been brief relative to the duration of the delusional periods.
“E. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition.
“Specify type (the following types are assigned based on the predominant delusional theme):
“Erotomanic Type: delusions that another person, usually of higher status, is in love with the individual
“Grandiose Type: delusions of inflated worth, power, knowledge, identity, or special relationship to a deity or famous person
“Jealous Type: delusions that the individual’s sexual partner is unfaithful
“Persecutory Type: delusions that the person (or someone to whom the person is close) is being malevolently treated in some way
“Somatic Type: delusions that the person has some physical defect or general medical condition
“Mixed Type: delusions characteristic of more than one of the above types but no one theme predominates
“Unspecified Type
“Reprinted with permission from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Copyright 2000 American Psychiatric Association”
ICD-10: apps.who.int/classifications/apps/icd/icd10online/ section F22:
“F22: Persistent delusional disorders
“Includes a variety of disorders in which long-standing delusions constitute the only, or the most conspicuous, clinical characteristic and which cannot be classified as organic, schizophrenic or affective. Delusional disorders that have lasted for less than a few months should be classified, at least temporarily, under F23.-.
“F22.0: Delusional disorder
“A disorder characterized by the development either of a single delusion or of a set of related delusions that are usually persistent and sometimes lifelong. The content of the delusion or delusions is very variable. Clear and persistent auditory hallucinations (voices), schizophrenic symptoms such as delusions of control and marked blunting of affect, and definite evidence of brain disease are all incompatible with this diagnosis. However, the presence of occasional or transitory auditory hallucinations, particularly in elderly patients, does not rule out this diagnosis, provided that they are not typically schizophrenic and form only a small part of the overall clinical picture.”
or maybe section F24:
“F24: Induced delusional disorder
“A delusional disorder shared by two or more people with close emotional links. Only one of the people suffers from a genuine psychotic disorder; the delusions are induced in the other(s) and usually disappear when the people are separated.”
One might argue that DSM and ICD-10 have demonstrated that most of the world’s population exhibit the symptoms of Delusional Disorder.
Comment by Trevor — January 2, 2010 @ 2:36 pm
Irish lawmakers should be commended for their sensible priorities. Frail, defenseless gods need to be protected from offense lest their holy representatives stop invoking them to justify the rape and torture of wicked, fiendish children. How many pedophile priests have been fined 25,000 Euros?
Comment by Rational Being — January 2, 2010 @ 2:36 pm
There is no god, therefore we don’t need this law!
Comment by The John — January 2, 2010 @ 2:39 pm
So what the law proposes is that blasphemy is to be fined. Blasphemy is lack of respect for the sacred, so the Koran and the Bible are blasphemous. The Koran admits the existence of Jesus Christ but portrays him as a prophet but not the son of god, the Bible portrays JC as the son of god. Ban both books and take the respective clerics to court and fine the bastids!
Comment by Efros — January 2, 2010 @ 2:40 pm
“When a religion is good, I conceive it will support itself; and when it does not support itself, and God does not care to support it – so that its professors are obliged to call for help from a civil power – it is a sign, I apprehend, of its being a bad one.” – Benjamin Franklin
Comment by Toby — January 2, 2010 @ 2:44 pm
Wow, all of these “enlightened” comments merely reinforce the validity of such a law. It always makes me laugh when so-called atheists (there is no such thing–you simply believe in your own god) get worked up over traditional religion. If you believe sincerely that God does not exist, why would you ever have any reason to blaspheme? It seems rather sadistic to do so. Where is your famed tolerance for those who are believers? Ireland has spectacularly shed its Christian identity in the last two decades. What threat does religion possibly present to you? I think what is going on here is that a nerve has been hit. The raw hatred expressed in most of these comments is alarming, disgusting and insulting. It does not appear that there is any sort of rational argument going on. Typing in a bunch of quotes from famous people whose knowledge of religion is minimal at best does not prove anything. I suppose it makes you feel better, though, to enlist your saints in this battle. Still, I think most atheists are wannabe believers who do not have the intellectual courage to really challenge their assumptions and prejudices.
Anyway, you all can stop the heavy breathing. I cannot imagine that the pagans at the EU will allow this law to last for long or that would actually be enforced.
Comment by Scott in KC — January 2, 2010 @ 2:58 pm
………………………..
………..,….. _ ……..…..
……………./’_/)….……..
…………..,/_ /)…………
………/’_'/’ ‘/’__’7, ….….
……../’/ / / /” /_\ …….…
……..(‘( ‘ /’ ‘).. …………
…..\………/…. …………
……’\'…….. _.7′..……….
……..\………(……………..
………\………\ ………….
……….\………\………….
…………………………
Down with ALL:
JUDEO-abe-Jew’s!, JUDEO-abe-CHRIST’s!, JUDEO-abeISLAMIC’s!JUDEO-abe-MORMON’s!. JUDEO-vedic-HINDU’s!, JUDEO-vedic-BUDDHIST’s!…..!
frm NYC.
Comment by Jack Jo — January 2, 2010 @ 3:07 pm
Wonderful !
Showing the non-sense of a law is really great !
I hope european politicians will start understanding the message.
Comment by Alex — January 2, 2010 @ 3:11 pm
OK, I’ll try again.
At post No 398 I pointed out that some posters here are childish and should grow up. And still it continues.
I think a lot of you have missed the point: the law (with which I disagree) is not there as far as I understand to defend religion, but to protect the adherents of religions from abuse and insults, which, frankly many of these posts have been.
You say you have to right to criticise religions; fine I agree. I do not accept that you have to right to set out to upset people however misguided they might be; you can of course and quite reasonably in my view, criticise them for their proselytising. Where to draw the line is in effect, the thin edge of the wedge and probably where the problems begin!
Read post No 419 by “Onemorecoffee” for a good example of a post that belongs here. After all surely an atheist can be a gentleman (or lady) too?
Paul
Comment by Paul Leclercq — January 2, 2010 @ 3:13 pm
I don’t understand! Richard Dawkins is a scientist. He has accurately described the actions of God in the Old Testament using entirely valid words from the English language. He has not intentionally sought to belittle God or use abusive language like many of the other quotations. In his various publications and TV broadcasts he has sought objectively to highlight the lack of facts and evidence surounding religious doctrine. How is that blasphemous?
Many of the contributors to this site have used entirely unacceptable language. If we all apply the discipline of objective analysis and the use of appropriate languauge, this problem would not be so bad. I am an atheist, but I would not seek to insult someone who is religious. Rather, I would scrutinize their beliefs and attempt to reveal the lack of substance to them.
Lastly, who moderates this site? No wonder atheists who hold genuine Humanist beliefs struggle to make themselves heard when this sort of nonsense accompanies a valid public campaign!
Comment by Malcolm — January 2, 2010 @ 3:21 pm
“If you believe sincerely that God does not exist, why would you ever have any reason to blaspheme? It seems rather sadistic to do so.”
Fair point. But is it not blasphemous to express the belief that God doesn’t exist?
Great list of quotes.
Comment by James — January 2, 2010 @ 3:24 pm
Dinna fash thy’sel….This too, shall pass.
and here’s my blasphemy,
The Easter Song
Send my pack to the great outback
To the banks of the Kedgiree slough,
I’ll meet you there with a prayer and a dare
-and the promise of something new
I’ll share my grub and my old tin tub
And I’ll show you the sacred tree,
Where Christ climbed up and bared his breast
-then died for you and me
In ev’ry land in ev’ry place
They claim the same you see
To drink the blood of a human god
-will surely set you free
Well I spent some time on the martyr’s cross
Then climbed down sore and tired
But the crowd won’t go until the show
-was all that they desired
Raise me up another one
A spirit bright and free
Some forge nails, others pails
-what would you craft for me?
So make a bed for you and me
And make it out of stone
Lay me on that cold cold slab
-but do not take me home
Roland, Canada.
Comment by Roland Kay — January 2, 2010 @ 3:30 pm
Malcolm @ post No 456: I agree with you.
However there is a vast difference between a religion which says “join us” and one which says “Join us or we kill you!”
If there must be a law, then let it at least address this issue.
Nevertheless, from Le Marquis de Montaigne: “Man is certainly stark mad. He cannot make a worm, yet he will make gods by the dozen.”
Paul
Comment by Paul Leclercq — January 2, 2010 @ 3:30 pm
I’m looking forward to the official response; is it possible that abuse-report from not too long ago is blasphemous too? After all, there was a threat of excommunication for insiders blabbing about it, so with a little twist the authors of this report are in for it as well, which would be fun in this case, as the Irish government is indicted in it as well as the RC. This some can of worms!! Here in Holland we have the same kind of religious nuts as you do, I’m afraid, and in the government as well.
Comment by H. Davids — January 2, 2010 @ 3:31 pm
Fantastic!
This is a ridiculous law and the people who put it into place can not be trusted!
Comment by Ron — January 2, 2010 @ 3:32 pm
Greetings to Irish Atheists from Slovenija.You have my full atheistic support.
Comment by Niko — January 2, 2010 @ 3:37 pm
Cthulhu does not wear ribbons! I find this depiction of The Great Old One to be blasphemous! http://files.myopera.com/Azaroth/albums/116804/1hello-cthulhu.jpg
Comment by Emily — January 2, 2010 @ 3:38 pm
To all of ye with comments along the lines of “it’s childish/obnoxious/whatever to be making offensive comments towards those of religious belief etc” you’re missing the point. I myself made such a comment earlier on this page not because I have any hatred towards the religious, but to break this ridiculous law. If I hadn’t made the comment to be offensive, I would not have broken the law. To those who say I should not have a right to be offensive, I say yes I fucking well should have. You’re more than welcome to try to offend me. I believe in free speech, and yes, that includes your right to it.
Comment by bilbawbaggins — January 2, 2010 @ 3:42 pm
Amazing how erroneously the Jesus sayings are and the interpretation this biased site puts on them….how sad.
Ye are of your father the devil is not Christian anti-semitism at all but Christ telling us plainly that ALL of us by nature are under the devils influence and do his lusts being by natute children of disobedience and wrath so that throws that out of the window!
Please, if you are going to make statements get them right before you make yourself look so foolish and ignorant.
Comment by Mark Harris — January 2, 2010 @ 3:45 pm
Jesus and Hitler are gay for eachother <3
Comment by John — January 2, 2010 @ 3:46 pm
nice work! droppin’ loads all over blasphemy laws
Comment by nick manning — January 2, 2010 @ 3:47 pm
@464.
Quite so: but it is enough (at least for the religious fanatics) to say that God/Jesus/Mohammed/Vishnu/Buddha/Darth Vader/Uncle Tom Cobbleigh and all do not exist or are wrong or were talking rubbish.
To write e.g. “fuck Mohammed” is pathetic and does nothing for the case.
Paul
Comment by Paul Leclercq — January 2, 2010 @ 3:50 pm
At Commenter no. 465
What are the devil’s lusts? Is sexual lust one of them? Or is that too literal an interpretation?
Comment by James — January 2, 2010 @ 3:52 pm
This law is another depressing example of civilisation in regression. Below is a blasphemous song I wrote a few months ago. You could get some of your members to record it and release it (suggested tune: Habanera from Carmen). That might make more impact than intelligent words. I’d genuinely like to know the answers to these questions. Good luck with the campaign.
God Maybe Knows
Before creation was god on vacation
Or did he like living in the dark
Was he lazy or somewhat hazy
Did he struggle to locate the spark
Did he plan it or did he chance it
Or was he pressurised to advance it
Trying to meet some higher targets
Like bringing light to distant stargates
And was he happy with the outcome
Or would he really rather be without some
Problems of the big ignition
Like locust swarms and nuclear fission
Did he like it or did he lump it
And does he ever want to blow his trumpet
Did he then create another
Just a plaything for his younger brother
And has he ever read the bible
After all it says he’s liable
And does he get fed up and bored
Knowing where all that matter’s stored
Does he laugh or sing or play
And does he sometimes hesitate and say
I might be wrong, what’s bad is good
I fear I’ve been misunderstood
And does he ever feel inclined
To use his body and not his mind
To catch the buzz of unknown pleasures
A well-earned break from weighty measures
Does he eat or sleep or drink
And does he ever jolt awake and think
I’ve had enough, I’m getting out
My old beliefs have turned to doubt
And does he study maths and science
To make a change from self-reliance
And did he speed up evolution
So he could dance to jazz/rock fusion
And if he said the world was broken
Well I doubt if he’d be only joking
And if he can’t or will not mend it
Maybe one day he’ll abruptly end it
(c) Alan Dawson 2009
Usable by any atheist for any intelligent purpose
Comment by Alan Dawson — January 2, 2010 @ 3:53 pm
It is a Shame to hear that in the Land that knew religion and Celtic values and humanist beliefs before most religions ever existed has to endure a 25.000 euro fine for speaking its mind. If Atheists scare the status quo that much and it has reached a point were democracy allows such laws to be passed then I say God has proven he does not exist through these actions and this law that shows and proves how weak God and Church are to be in need of Laws to protect it. If God did exist, he/she would never preach Love without acting out his love and equality and that being said I demand the following:
Let there be a Law Passed that would Fine anyone who ever dares Preach God or any Word of God. Since No one can prove his existence it should be made clear that if anyone dares claim to know him/her or his/her word be fined 25.000 euros.
Love , Religion, Humanity it all comes down to actions and the very foundation of it all is Equality.
So IRISH LAWMAKERS give an example to the World, we’re watching and listening and waiting to see, walk the walk.
Speak your mind and let Fear Fear itself …
Beirut – Lebanon .
Comment by Ali Hamze — January 2, 2010 @ 3:53 pm
OK, the law is a joke — I get that.
And [pick a religion] is a joke — I get that.
But if the vitriolic, animal-like behaviour displayed here is typical of the atheist mindset, then
I do not want
I do not want
Your atheism.
Comment by Tom R. — January 2, 2010 @ 3:56 pm
Why do women love Jesus?
Because he’s hung like this (spreads arms)
Comment by Flying Baked Ziti Monster — January 2, 2010 @ 4:04 pm
Did you forget Paul CURSING everybody who would disagree with HIS private gospel he said he received via a private revelation [with no credible witnesses anywhere], Galatians 1:7-8?
Paul was a vociferous enemy of the gospel of Peter; hence an individual saturated with hatred against anybody disagreeing with him.
And yet, the pope and other similar religious ACTORS bless this coward apostle and eve3n make him images to kiss in public!!
Julio.
Johannesburg.
Comment by Julio — January 2, 2010 @ 4:11 pm
Harken unto me all you heathen non-believers!!!!
I have have a recent revelation from my God. I, and my disciples will be outraged (and hurt) if you do not obey it. Part of my religion is that you must chant, “O – ha-ow stoo-ipid tha Ire-arish blas-fem-me law-iz.” seven times a day at the top of your lungs, from a high tower so that our God can hear you. The other law requires that no one commit blasphemy by ever saying, “Mik ay-el, Ma-ritin” or any phrase that resembles that phrase. To avoid blasphemy as taught by our Church, you must substitute the phrase “dumb-shit.”
Signed,
Benito, Supreme high imperial new God lover and toilet-roll replacer of glory.
Comment by Benito — January 2, 2010 @ 4:12 pm
I’m thankful that there are organizations like the Irish Atheists taking a stand against this kind of theocratic nonsense. It will be interesting to see where this goes. Good luck with the campaign!
Comment by Christian Poppycock — January 2, 2010 @ 4:15 pm
I am of the opinion that the blasphemy law was a bad idea.
I think that everyone should be legally entitled to say whatever they like, and others to respond.
If someone really wants to advance an opinion (e.g. “I don’t believe in God” or “I think you should consider removing religion from your life”), I say they should be free to do so without fear of any other than a verbal response.
If people are unable to contribute urbanely to this post, they would probably be better off going for a walk, getting an education or looking away from their own navels from time to time. Barstool-guttersnipe rudeness comes more from anger than from having anything interesting to say, and it’s no more attractive or engaging than government muzzling.
In reality, there isn’t much to say about faith, apart from “It’s absurd” / “I know, but I believe anyway”. Why not avoid hysteria, focus on the issue at hand, and criticise the government rather than believers? Many more of the latter would surely come on board, thus hastening the demise of this new law.
Comment by Michael — January 2, 2010 @ 4:16 pm
I came to this web page due to the posting on CNN. Wow, what a bunch of atheist lunatics I’ve come across here. I read today on CNN that they are considering colonizing the moon using deep volcanic pits. I suggest that they pack the entire ship with you “lunatics” and let you be the first settlers. The earth will be a better place without you. As for the majority of you here who don’t believe in God, prove that He doesn’t exist. If you can’t even come up with a simple answer to the most fundamental question to our existence, and that being “what occurred before the big bang”, you expect us believers to be awed by your pathetic “high intellect”. Go screw yourselves atheists.
Comment by Polaris — January 2, 2010 @ 4:24 pm
95% of Irish people follow a religion. The other 5% donot and I wish them well. This fourm represents the 0.0001% of the population who are crackpots that have an opinion on everything and will go all out to tell everyone. Relax and chill out everyone. If religion is not your thing, then why fight the will of the people. Say nothing and live happy or go live abroad.
Is this law really effecting your day to day life or do you just want to be offended.
God bless you all
Comment by Jane — January 2, 2010 @ 4:27 pm
quote from Steven Armstrong
“Having said that, I do not understand why some people are confusing profanity with blasphemy – the fact that you can spell a four letter word is hardly a reason to celebrate it.”
That you do not understand this [you surely do?] shows that you do not understand the fundamental of humanity. That all people are not born intellectually equal. Some people even believe in fairies LOL.
Still, this has been a most entertaining way of wasting an afternoon. If I were Irish I would be more diappointed then entertained. The clever and thoughtful posts, and I include quite a few containing vulgarity, have far outnumbered the juvenile or the intellectually challenged.
Comment by Welshman — January 2, 2010 @ 4:27 pm
Hello,
I would like to state for the record that I fully support the introduction of this blasphemy law in the Republic of Ireland, as I live in the UK and this will make even the people in Northern Ireland seem reasonable and sane by comparison.
I would also like to see this law extended in several ways:
1. The punishment ordered by the court should be as defined by the religion being blasphemed against. If there is any conflict between religions, then the most severe punishment should be used – as this will probably keep everybody happy. If the punishment involves burning, then the CO² produced must be added to the punishee’s final Carbon Footprint bill, payable by the family, relatives or estate.
2. The courts of man should not be involved in the prosecution of blasphemers. Instead the entire process, from accusation, charges, though trial (if required), sentencing and punishment, should be carried out by the Religious Leaders and Authorities as recognised by their own worshippers.
3. To ensure that the beliefs of every religious group are respected, no person may perform any act in public which is against the beliefs of any religion. Examples include, but not limited to:
* Not working on the Sabbath.
* All women must cover their hair in public. The only exception to this are bald women and women wearing wigs made using man-made fibres.
* Men must not cut their hair or shave their beards.
* The windows of all Hair Dressers must be boarded up in case a man should look inside and see women with their heads uncovered.
* No restaurant or cafeteria must not serve food or drink that is forbidden by religion. This applies to anywhere that food is served, including Burger Vans, Soup Kitchens, Meals-on-Wheels, Hotel room service and Pubs. It would also be illegal to eat those foods in public. This would mean that:
o Only fish (or beaver) can be served on Fridays. Note: any fish twelve inches in length or longer may not be eaten.
o No dishes containing Beef, Pork, Dog, Primate, Rabbit, Hare, Shellfish, Gamefowl/Landfowl, Duck, Snail, Crab, or Camel.
o No drinks containing alcohol or caffeine.
* Use of electricity from a mainline or the public grid is forbidden.
* Public displays of photographs/images containing one or more people are prescribed.
* The playing or performance of Country & Western music is taboo.
* Line Dancing is verboten.
4. The practices of all religions must be observed by everyone in public, regardless of their own beliefs or religion.
5. It is the responsibility of every person to practice their skill with a light sabre, and ensure that it is charged and fully functional at all times.
Comment by Sean — January 2, 2010 @ 4:30 pm
I always respected Sinead O’Connor for that Saturday Night Law Stunt she pulled so many years back, when she tore a photo of the Pope in half on TV. Why is the Pope—a supposedly virgin, 82-year-old man in a dress—still wielding power? How this atrocity of an institution maintained any respect? We should observing the the “Pope Mummy” at this point in time, not this living, breathing, fuckwit of an idiot who instructs Africans that using condoms will only spread AIDS.
Fuck Catholicism, fuck Christianity, fuck all backward-thinking, superstitious, idiots.
Comment by Aaron — January 2, 2010 @ 4:31 pm
Recent news: Man shot in an attempt at retribution for blasphemy. Perhaps this law is intended to keep the populace quietened so that Islamists have no grievance – no cause to, for example, enter a cartoonist’s home with an axe and with murder in his heart?? Wouldn’t the Irish rather proudly protect their right to free discourse with the spirit that the Danes show rather than cower behind this suppressive law in a vain attempt to present a preclusively respectful mask to these delusional zealots?
Comment by Jeffrey — January 2, 2010 @ 4:33 pm
And how about Kinky Freidman and the Texas Jewboys: “They ain’t makin’ Jews like Jesus anymore…. they ain’t makin’ carpenters who know what nails are for!”
Comment by Bob Doyle — January 2, 2010 @ 4:34 pm
Belief is faith in a choice, our own life’s choices are driven by people and experiences which may or may not be shared or believed by others. Ultimately there is NO right or wrong, all there is, is choice. And if a judgement is to be made deciding whether or not we’ve made the wrong choices exists then that divinity with its glorious omnipotence will be tasked to realize the common misinterpretation of experience by beings not so divine in nature.
Comment by Orbital Mind — January 2, 2010 @ 4:36 pm
I have to admit that when I first read about the blasphemy law in Ireland I thought it was some bizarre joke.
That is clearly not the case & the Irish government appear to be intent on making the country a laughing stock.
As an Athiest Englishwoman (who is happy to let anyone worship any fictional character/being of their choice) I fully support Athiest Ireland in their cause. I hope the the Irish government will “see the light” and one again allow true freedom of speech.
I have read (nearly) all the quotes on here. Some excellent thought provocking comments and quotes but (regretfully) far too many junenile ones.
Good Luck.
Comment by Anita — January 2, 2010 @ 4:38 pm
How many atheists here can blaspheme without in so doing, pretending to believe in something they don’t believe in (i.e. speak disrespectfully against religion or the bible (which they believe exists) without just saying “Fuck God!” when they don’t believe there is one)? (and how many know the difference between blasphemy, profanity and heresy?) There’s your homework.
Comment by Mike — January 2, 2010 @ 4:41 pm
Why are you so scarred of religion? it provides people with a guidance to life and happiness. Anyway most o you are doomed to burn in hell for your constant denial and mocking of all faiths and the people that practice. You simple minded fools. Thanks
Comment by martin James — January 2, 2010 @ 4:43 pm
EVERYTHING is offensive to someone, making expression illegal stops discussion. People of faith should be able to talk about their religion not to convert but to understand each other. Having people make fun of your belief is the price of a free society. If you can’t offend ANYONE, then no one can speak out for or against any religion. What if someone has a symbol (like a cross) displayed in their home that I can see? Or I see someone reading a book that offends? Or a leader says something stupid like “God bless (insert country here)”?
Ireland has made religion illegal, good for them.
Comment by ken — January 2, 2010 @ 4:44 pm
Try to find a single mainstream religion that resembles Ron Sexsmith’s blasphemous song God Loves Everyone:
God loves everyone
Like a mother loves her son
No strings at all
Unconditional
Never one to judge
Would never hold a grudge
‘Bout what’s been done
God loves everyone
There are no gates in heaven
Everyone gets in
Queer or straight
Souls of every faith
Hell is in our minds
Hell is in this life
But when it’s gone
God takes everyone
Its love is like a womb
It’s like the air from room to room
It surrounds us all
The living and the dead
May we never lose the thread
That bound us all
The killer in his cell
The atheist as well
The pure of heart
And the wild at heart
Are all worthy of its grace
It’s written in the face
Of everyone
God loves everyone
There’s no need to be saved
No need to be afraid
Cause when it’s done
God takes everyone
God loves everyone
Comment by MtlMatik — January 2, 2010 @ 4:47 pm
The fact remains that in Ireland, atheists, humanists and fans of common moral sense are a minority who have long endured the pervasive religious overtones of our culture. We use god to say hello in our native language and the influence of the catholic church on our constitution and legislature, ensures children are better protected in utero than post-partum.
That in the 21st century, in an era when science and technology are major contributors to our daily lives and our economy , it is downright laughable that rational, firmly held beliefs, and their expression are deemed a civil tort, punishable monetarily.
Yes, some of the material on this page is inflammatory, and graphic and uses unsavoury language- it is a act of defiance, and if it discomfits you in any way, it has succeeded!
No freedom of religion will eclipse my right to freedom of antireligious thought.
No blasphemy law will make me less vociferous in its expression.
Comment by Sinéad — January 2, 2010 @ 4:49 pm
The blasphemy law was only enacted in order to prevent criticism of Islam.
Comment by Leon — January 2, 2010 @ 4:57 pm
@479
Jane wrote:
“If religion is not your thing, then why fight the will of the people. Say nothing and live happy or go live abroad.
Is this law really effecting your day to day life or do you just want to be offended.”
Totally fair, but of course there is the fly in the ointment isn’t there? It might not actually affect everyday life – now – in Ireland, but the principle is dangerous.
Abroad? Where? The French and the Swiss seem to have a fairly robust attitude to religious zealots whose aim for example is to take over the world. The British sadly have effectively thrown in the towel: “Don’t put up a Christmas Tree in your shop window – you might ‘offend’ someone.” The Scandinavians have their own troubles in trying to protect free speech and opinion.
Well then, how about Saudi Arabia Jane? No drinking and for you, no driving either, nor must you speak to any man who is not your husband etc. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Iran are presumably off the menu, Turkey teeters on the brink whilst desperately trying to preserve the wise legacy of Mustapha Kemal. There are many countries in the world and the vast majority are experiencing problems! Let us hope that the Republic of Ireland repeals this silly law before those who take blasphemy seriously see it as a suitable stamping ground.
Paul
Comment by Paul Leclercq — January 2, 2010 @ 5:03 pm
It’s a strange world where critising someone’s political philosophy is called “freedom of expression”, whilst critising someone’s religious philosophy is called “blasphemy”. Good luck from Bedfordshire Humanists. We are with you 100%…
Comment by David Brittain — January 2, 2010 @ 5:05 pm
Fuck the god or the gods or whatever.
Fuck Jesus.
Fuck his mother.
Fuck Christianity.
Fuck Catholicism.
Fuck Protestantism.
Fuck Islam and Mohammed.
Fuck Judaism and Jehovah and Yahweh and all aliases.
Fuck Hinduism and Ganesh and Hanuman and Kali and Vishnu and the rest of that crew.
Fuck Shintoism.
Fuck Taoism.
Fuck Confucianism.
Fuck Zoroastrianism.
Fuck Agnosticism.
Fuck Atheism (say I, an Irish atheist).
Fuck me, please.
We can and will insult anything and anyone and no absurd law can stop it being done.
Happy new year and good luck with the campaign.
Comment by Martin — January 2, 2010 @ 5:09 pm
For those who are concerned about the language being used in these comments, I thought I’d share my take on it.
There are generally four levels of blasphemy.
The first is the puerile: “Fsck God and the brain who came up with him.” It fits the basic definition of blasphemy and while those who actually think are more offended by the language, simple people can and will be deeply offended by this simple statement.
The second is the deconstruction: “The Christian God cannot exist because it is internally inconsistent. Omnipresence and omnipotence contradict each other at various points.” This also fits the basic definition of blasphemy as it directly attacks the belief. Fewer people are deeply offended by the deconstructions, but it does lead to extremely bad theology to try to weasel around the blocks as provided.
The third is artistic. You see many examples in the comments above from the likes of Tim Minchin, George Carlin, Tom Lehrer, and more. The Danish cartoons are prime examples of works of art being deeply offensive to a religion, so much that there are fatwas outstanding and even an attempted attack within the last twenty-four hours.
The last is reality. Reality itself is blasphemous to many religions and leads to all sorts of hand-waving and rigmarole. Evolution has mountains of empirical evidence showing that it really happens, but because the conclusions one must inevitably draw from it, many people of faith attack it as a religion in itself because those conclusions are blasphemous against their religion. Condom use is deeply blasphemous to the RCC because it allows sex without reproduction, and so they attack its use in Africa where they are trying to use condoms to restrict the spread of an AIDS epidemic. A direct translation of God’s name (depending on who you talk to, Elohim, Jehovah, Yahweh, etc.) from Hebrew is offensive to many Orthodox Jews who use “Adonai” as a fill-in. Referring to Mohammad’s marriage to a 9-year-old as pedophilia is deeply offensive to Muslims. The theory of gravity deeply offends die-hard Pastafarians.
I can understand being offended by a puerile comment. I can even understand being offended by a deconstruction. But when reality offends, there is no hope for your point of view.
Sincerely,
Michael Russell
Dallas, Texas
Comment by Michael Russell — January 2, 2010 @ 5:15 pm
Stone the sinner and free his mind
The prophets are all around they seek to save mankind
They call it the Good Book, well it’s a shame
How can so much evil could be done in a good book’s name
Comment by Paul - South Africa — January 2, 2010 @ 5:15 pm
Is it possible to use the blasphemy laws to your own advantage? Say if a priest is heard bad-mouthing atheism, can you take him to court?
Comment by Denbo — January 2, 2010 @ 5:17 pm
Thank you, Ireland, for giving the world something to laugh about. Did someone actually sit down and think they were accomplishing something with this law?
Jesus Palomino on a popsicle stick!
Comment by Polo — January 2, 2010 @ 5:19 pm
God is an assumption based on premise. Looking about and not understanding what they see (a condition we all start from and, hopefully, a
condition we disabuse ourselves of with logic and reason), too many people assume there ‘MUST’ be a god because how else did everything get
here? Good question. Definitely the wrong conclusion drawn.
If there is a god, it is so far beyond our ability to understand that no one … not me, not you, not the pope in Rome … can ever make a claim that
they ‘know the mind of god’. If there is a god, everything we know about it is described by a logical, rational science. Prayerful, wishful, hopeful
thinking won’t do it.
How do people come to the conclusion that they have an invisible friend in the sky that will suspend the known laws of the Universe to intercede
on their behalf to do whatever they pray for? They place their ‘faith’ in silly children’s stories because it’s easier and modern civilization has few
consequences for people who believe such nonsense. Put that thoroughly lunatic relationship with reality into our ancestors and we would never
have survived as a species.
It is no coincidence that religion took root in its present fearful form as we went from a hunter-gatherer society to an agricultural one. Indeed,
many scholars ascribe the metaphorical ‘Adam & Eve’ origins story to this transformation. In brief: Once you’ve eaten from the tree of knowledge
(learn how to farm) you can’t go back to the Garden of Eden (return to the hunter-gatherer ways).
Once we were capable of producing more food than we could eat we were relieved of our constant need to seek food and had the spare time to
contemplate our circumstances and understand them in an abstract way. That ’spare time’, however, would be co-opted by the social
manipulators (kings and priests) and the rise of civilization would be made by the ’subjects’ of these psychopaths as they build the great cities
and monuments of ancient times.
In spite of the reasons given for doing this (‘to the greater glory of god’) logic and reason had to be used to understand the engineering
necessary. Reason and religion uneasily coexisted because, in spite of the threat presented by logical and rational subjects, the exquisite
constructs of those times resulted in more power for the kings and priests. Then Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the church door ushering in
the Protestant Reformation and its rationalism. It’s been downhill for the kristers ever since.
Religion succeeds because it appeals to the dimwitted, the intellectually lazy and their manipulators, the clergy. The clergy know the real story
and understand that there isn’t a nickel to be made by preaching logic and reason. Logic and reason quench the fires of fear and fear, sad to say,
is big, big money.
I believe humans, as a part of their survival strategy, have a natural faith. We can’t know everything so we have to assume a lot; take it ‘on faith’.
This isn’t bad but, to be successful, it requires that there be a basis in fact for the faith. It required of our ancestors that when a decision was
made based on insufficient available information (virtually every decision) the ‘faith’ in that decision was rooted in previous experience and logical
‘hunches’. It was ever critical in their hunt for game.
As an example, if our ancestors, in pursuit of prey, were forced to make a decision to cross one of several hills in the pursuit of food and, as a
result of their decision they cross a hill where there’s no game in the valley, by the time they get to the alternate hill the game likely has moved on
and they face the reality of starvation. Early man required a finely honed sense of ‘faith’ in his decisions that were based on the real world. He
may not have known with certainty that the game was over a particular hill, but faith in his intuition, supported by the fact that he was right on
earlier occasions, was critical to their success as a species. And did I mention this faith and hunches had to be ’spot on’ almost all the time
because even a minor error could destroy an entire tribe.
Natural faith (not to be confused with religious faith) is still a crucial part of our lives. An example of modern, natural faith would be if you loan me
dollar and I don’t pay it back you most likely won’t starve or be seriously impacted by the loss. But you have lost ‘faith’ in me … I can no longer be
trusted. Faith and the resultant trust is a critical aspect of our modern civilization. Nothing would work today without this ‘faith’ resulting in trust.
Put this faith and trust into the psychopaths of religion and political power and all manner of heinous activities result.
Religion is about unfettered power based on imposed ignorance, pure and simple. It is much easier to control a simple-minded crowd than an
intellectual one. Thus, the simple-minded are encouraged to conflate the things they don’t understand (virtually everything) with a mystical
stupidity that defies reason. And as stated above, there are precious few consequences for being silly in todays world, hence, the persistence of
this pestilence. This persistence manifests itself in the blasphemy and heresy laws.
Be patient. The blithering nonsense that is religion has become so weak in the face of modern civilization that it requires no one to question it in
order for it to survive. This demand for ‘faith’ will be its undoing. We may not live long enough to see it but the inexorable trend of civilization is
towards logic and reason and, upon that day when ‘the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest’, we will be rid of the greatest pox
upon humanity.
Comment by Frank Gillespie — January 2, 2010 @ 5:20 pm
if you want to stop me writing what i want, you’ll have to take my hands. if you want to stop me saying what i want, you’ll have to take my tounge. if you want to stop me thinking what i want, you’ll have to take my brain.
and then you’re just a psychopath, aren’t you?
to be offended by something someone else does just implies a great weakness within the self. if people were truely secure in their faith, the words of others would mean nothing. sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. remember chanting that as a child?
stupid ireland.
Comment by Amurana — January 2, 2010 @ 5:21 pm
It seems to me that the whole debate has got out of hand. Noone is provably right or wrong – I can’t point at an empty room and declare that there is therefore no such thing as furniture, any more than a DFS salesman can tell me that sofas are the only way, the room is just waiting for a sofa to save it, and anyone who uses a table is going to burn.
Ideas can be debated and have no impact on reality until acted upon. Why have this law? No reason in my view when there are already slander laws, laws against GBH. The foundation of law is that there is an agressor and an aggrieved party. The Church of Ireland (any any other) must first prove beyond reasonable doubt that there is an aggrieved, in that God does exist. So far, noone has done this any more elegantly than the ‘I wouldn’t believe it if it wasn’t true would I? Why is it true? Because I believe it stupid!’. With proof, I would happily admit I was wrong and support this law. Without it, coupled with the EDHR, common sense must prevail. The rights of an identifiable human being must prevail over the rights of an unidentifiable entity/idea.
This law is nonsense, and cannot stand up to scrutiny. I am a humanist, and am qualified to perform humanost marriage ceremonies, funerals and birth celebrations. The humanist standpoint is NOT the same as atheism. Atheism declares ‘there is no God of any kind. It’s my deeply held belief that this is so, and people who do not share this belief should be told of the error of their ways’. Hmmm, Christians call this ministry…..
If there is a God, show me evidence and I will accept it. Until then, from the evidence I can see religion was created by clever politicians seeking a perfect way to control the masses through a big, scary figurehead. Faith is different – in my view, it is human nature to hold on to something to face their own mortality and insignificance in an infinite Universe. Faith is fine, trying to impose your faith (including atheistic ones) on others by intruding into personal convictions, causing needless offense simply for the joy of causing offense, and through ridiculous threats (legislation) is not.
In regards to Richard Dawkins, do not people see his unwanted and grudging promotion to the post of ‘Messiah for the Atheists’ as slightly ironic. I certainly believe he does, although I do think some of his arguments are crafted to offend irrationalists, rather than defend rationalism and free-thought.
I would be pleased to discuss this with anyone, but please keep the argument out of the gutter, and some posters might benefit from taking an objective view of themselves, however upsetting this may be.
Humanism, rationalism and free thought are all about the view that humanity has transcended the need for scary monsters over the bed. Not about denying the human rights or dignity of anyone.
Sorry for the length of this post – in conclusion – stupid law, stupid argument
Comment by Chris N — January 2, 2010 @ 5:21 pm
Why is it so many people of faith feel required to inflict their beliefs on others? I actually am a person of faith, but have enough sense to know that it is entirely unnecessary to put laws into effect to punish those who would do something immoral that causes no harm to others. Sure, murder should be illegal. But blasphemy? Ridiculous. If God is real, he will punish them for it. If not, no crime has been committed. So no earthly law is necessary.
What this law really boils down to is certain people find certain statements offensive, and therefore want them to be illegal. When it is put like that, the stupidity of it becomes more clear. I am offended by racists and sexists, but there aren’t laws (in the States, at any rate) banning anyone from being an asshole. A wiser man once said (I’m paraphrasing a bit), “I may not like what you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”
Matters of man (and woman!) and earth should be settled among them, and matters of faith, God, etc. are between the person and God. I’m not perfect, and have said more than a few things I shouldn’t have perhaps, but I certainly don’t support outlawing thought and free speech. Ask those who live in the middle east how life goes with that sort of moral authority running amok.
Comment by US common sense — January 2, 2010 @ 5:25 pm
Hi again. I note a few comments from the religious talking about this law bolstering “social cohesion”, preventing “incitement to racial hatred” and so on. Quite the opposite I should have thought.
It has to be said that atheists generally can’t be bothered. They don’t hold rallies or get together on a weekly or daily basis to sing atheistic songs or reinforce their lack of belief. They don’t tell other people how to live their lives, or insist that the President (or the Queen) should be (or not be) of only one religion or none. So they can be forgiven for speaking up now.
The point is that this law does matter. It entrenches vested interests. Our society remains dominated by self perpetuating religious organisations who sit on school boards taking decisions about how our children are educated, get special slots on TV and radio to promote their brand of religion, have privileged access into the heart of government and so on. We need our lives to be regulated and managed by ordinary people with skills and an interest in education or whatever, not by someone who’s only there because he grinds a particular religious axe. I have no interest in stopping anyone exercising their religious rights whenever they want to. But I do object when their religion is granted a legal right to indoctrinate my young children at school or prevent me from shopping on a Sunday or going into a pub on Good Friday.
What’s wrong with this law is that it helps one privileged unelected group extend its control over what all of us can do or say and to stifle any criticism of itself. If the Babylonians had succeeded with this approach, they’d have snuffed out Judaism which would in turn have silenced Christianity and then Islam and then Mormonism and all the other “I don’t like some aspects of your religion so I’m going to write my own new book showing that I’m right and you’re going to hell” religions that have come along (and are still coming). In 1000 years’ time, the Ancient Order of Jedi Knights will look back on this Act as the mainspring for their domination of world religion. Well, that and the light sabre of course.
Plus ca change …
Comment by Clive Russell — January 2, 2010 @ 5:28 pm
I live in Ireland and I’m shocked to see so many people who live outside Ireland saying they will no longer visit – do you think we wanted this? Everyone I know, even the religious, are enraged by this ridiculous law. I’m already anticipating that our sitcoms and tv soaps will be filled with censoring beeps to cover the common phrases such as ‘Jaysus’, ‘Jesus Christ’ etc. as they are generally said when complaining about or ridiculing a situation. Certain movies and tv shows will probably be banned if they are to fully enforce this law. To be honest, I’ll believe it when I see it, but please do not think that we are backword medieval freaks who wanted this. I’m flabbergasted as to how this was even brought up in the Dail!
As for me, as soon as I found out Santa Claus wasn’t real at 8 yrs of age, I presumed God, Jesus etc. weren’t real either and i had always thought of our enforced religious education classes as a sort of delusional story telling session.
The Irish are rational thinkers – even the majority of us who ARE religious know that the bible is bollocks and they mainly believe in a force of nature rather than a hairy man in the clouds. Although some of the older generation are still devout, they do not agree with this law either.
Sarah
Comment by Sarah — January 2, 2010 @ 5:28 pm
I have read a few of these posts and most if not any are full of swearing and innuendo.
Only a few posts are illiterate for the authors who posted them to be of any merit. See comment #28
If you don’t like these laws that your country has passed then by all means be more careful of whom you vote into public office.
Its no good complaining about the porridge that’s too hot to handle if it was never yours to eat in the first place!!
Comment by James McCulloch — January 2, 2010 @ 5:28 pm
The religious are pretty obviously mentally ill. Their gods are of course creations of their own minds and do not exist. They deserve our pity, not our hatred, though. While they have thrown away part of their humanity, abandoning reason for faith, it’s typically not their fault but their parents, who abusively shackled their minds while they were impressionable children with one incoherent stone age belief system or another. We must teach reason and the scientific method, and keep religion where it belongs, in the history books.
Comment by Joe Quine — January 2, 2010 @ 5:45 pm
Loved the George Carlin quote, drugged up, drunked up, drank himself to death earlier than needed, stopped being remotely humorous 35 years back, George you should have gotten some religion. And just who the heck is Bjork.
Comment by John — January 2, 2010 @ 5:49 pm
This site contains some interesting postings, some with excellent points of view, some set to deliberately blasphmene in protest at a ridiculous law and some with profanity.
The latter has come under attack and complaint but is this not merely an expression of moral outrage and anger at both the state and the religions that have conspired against the freedom of speech that is both being denied and being denied without any means to easily complain about that denial?
So whilst it is easy to complain about the profanities being written and to use this as an arguement about atheism just consider your own outrage if you were being denied one of you most basic of human rights.
In respect of atheism I cannot recall any terrorist killings, bombings, kidnappings or threats of murder being undertaken in the name of, well Atheism.
Indeed are not those people and religions who undertake violents acts in contradiction to their teachings guilty of blasphemy?
Perhaps both worshippers and their religious organisations should bear this in mind as it appears there is as much blasphemy within many religions as there is outside.
Comment by Colin Watts — January 2, 2010 @ 5:56 pm
so the law is basically….
YOU HAVE NO FREEDOM OF SPEECH… IF WE DONT LIKE THE ORDER OF THE WORDS YOU SPEAK WE WILL PUNISH YOU
Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak without censorship and/or limitation. The synonymous term freedom of expression is sometimes used to indicate not only freedom of verbal speech but any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used. In practice, the right to freedom of speech is not absolute in any country and the right is commonly subject to limitations, such as on “hate speech”.
The right to freedom of speech is recognized as a human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recognized in international human rights law in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The ICCPR recognizes the right to freedom of speech as “the right to hold opinions without interference. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression”.[1][2] Furthermore freedom of speech is recognized in European, inter-American and African regional human rights law.
It is different from and not to be confused with the concept of freedom of thought.
To deny a person’s freedom of thought is to deny what can be considered one’s most basic freedom: to think for oneself.
TLTR… “Fuck You, You Cant Think For Yourself”
Comment by Ala — January 2, 2010 @ 5:56 pm
You dont like the new law? im sure there are other countries out there that will let you be Blasphemous so be my guest and leave Ireland, we dont want you devil worshiping Idoits.
Comment by karl noade — January 2, 2010 @ 5:57 pm
Post 505
Sarah, what do you mean Santa Claus isn’t real?!!
My belief is shattered.
Please, anybody. Help. Is this blasphemy?
PS Cannot agree with you more!
Comment by Gabriel Oaks — January 2, 2010 @ 5:59 pm
“You see, the religious people – most of them – really think this planet
is an experiment. That’s what their beliefs come down to. Some god or
other is always fixing and poking, messing around with tradesmen’s wives,
giving tablets on mountains, commanding you to mutilate your children,
telling people what words they can sey and what words they can’t, making
people feel guilty about enjoying themselves, and like that. Why can’t
the gods leave well enough alone? All this intervention speaks of incompetance.
If God didn’t want Lot’s wife to look back, why didn’t he make her obedient,
so she’d do what her husband told her? Or if he hadn’t made Lot such a shithead,
maybe she would have listened to him more. If God is omnipotent and omniscient, why
didn’t he start the universe out in the first place so it would come out the way
he wants? Why’s he constantly repairing and complaining? No, there’s one thing the
Bible makes clear; The biblical God is a sloppy manufacturer. He’s not good at
design, he’s not good at execution. He’d be out of business, if there was any
competition.”
– Carl Sagan (Contact)
Comment by Gary — January 2, 2010 @ 6:00 pm
#511, athiests do not believe in the devil. Stupid religious moron. The little voice you speak to on your knees every night means you’re schizophrenic and possibly psychotic. I bet you don’t believe in evolution either. Watch some David Attenborough documentaries, read something real and scientific, and wake up!
Comment by Sarah — January 2, 2010 @ 6:02 pm
Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, was a mass murdering warlord, a practicing pedophile, a robber of caravans, a slaver, a bigamist, a pimp who traded in sex slaves, an adulterer, a pagan idolater, a torturer, a religious pretender, a criminal, a trespasser on religious and private property, a warmonger, a charlatan, founder of one of the most violent religions known to man, a hypocrite, delusional, a plagiarist, a cult leader, a sexual pervert, an abuser of charity, a criminal conspirator, antisemitic, religiously intolerant, , a murderer of pregnant mothers, poets, and the innocent.
Fuck Islam because it is an irrational supremacist religion founded by a maniac. It’s adherents knowingly or unknowingly foment hatred of non-Muslims and it’s religious texts are a defamation of innocent non-Muslims everywhere.
Comment by Brian Macker — January 2, 2010 @ 6:03 pm
The first 2 quotes of 25 seem especially pertinent as possible common 4th century forgeries. The Irish Atheists must be informed that these first 2 literary citations were appropriated from a 4th century publication. We know that the bible was not widely published until its official release as the “Constantine Codex”.
The Irish Atheists must be informed that Jesus was first widely published in the 4th century by an admiring group of followers lead by their revolutionary historian Eusebius, who in turn were led by Constantine, his bloodthirsty barbarian sword and his Draconian anti-Hellenistic and anti-Semetic laws, such as “Religious privileges are reserved for Christians”. The question as to whether Constantine sponsored the invention of the New Testament is quite relevant.
Comment by Kookaburra Jack — January 2, 2010 @ 6:06 pm
So on Monday are we going to see the Islamic church and its Koran indicted on charges of blasphemy against the Catholic /Christian church?
.. or is this law only to be used against atheists who try to state their own beliefs?
Comment by Patrick Fenlon — January 2, 2010 @ 6:09 pm
THE 77TH COMMENT WAS SPOT ON.
Interesting law…
How does it work? When a catholic priest claims that Jesus is the son of god, can the priest be accused of blasphemy by a rabbi? And when a Hindu prays to several gods is this not blasphemy from the Islamic viewpoint?
WHEN LOOKED AT THIS WAY, IT IS EASY TO AGREE WITH THE PEOPLE HERE COMMENTING THAT LAWSUITS WILL BE SWIFT AND PLENTIFUL.
Comment by karen — January 2, 2010 @ 6:12 pm
“I deny the holy spirit!”
Was it not the Holy Spirit that date raped Mary, oh hang on that was a work of fiction as well, sorry my bad!
Comment by Lee — January 2, 2010 @ 6:14 pm
The Qur’an itself is a blasphemy of Judaism and Christianity. As one example it claims Christ is not the son of god. It copies and distorts Jewish text in blasphemous ways.
It blasphemes against pagan and idolatrous religious numerous times, even demanding in the name of Allah the genocide of the followers of any such religions. Muhammad himself trespassed in the sacred temples, shrines, and places of worship of the idolaters in order to claim the falsehood of their religions.
Thus Islam is more than mere blaspheme it is a defamation, and open incitement to violence and genocide. Yet blaspheme it also is.
Comment by Brian Macker — January 2, 2010 @ 6:14 pm
Setting aside for a moment the debate about S. 36 of the Defamation Act 2009, I notice a curious theme running through many of the postings purporting to be from atheists.
Very, very many of the contributors exhibit bile and hatred of which an Inquisitor would be proud. It seems that many atheists posting on here, while rejecting the ’superstition’, ’supernaturalism’ and ‘mumbo-jumbo’ that underpin religion, seem deeply wedded to a triumphalist ‘atheist faith’.
Back to S. 36 … It seems a clumsy piece of legislation that I suspect will be largely overlooked, except by fundamentalist zealots – whether they be Christian, Moslem, Jew or the new Evangelical Atheists.
Comment by Bob Hayes — January 2, 2010 @ 6:15 pm
Excellent material; I’ve posted a link on Twitter. But I think the good Cardinal O’Connor deserves a response for getting it almost right: We would not be human if we did not consider or wonder at the transcendent. I’m sure most atheists do (the cardinal’s assumption to the contrary is wrong)but we simply don’t call it god and we certainly don’t use it to justify our prejudices or our subjugation of others.
Comment by John McPherson — January 2, 2010 @ 6:15 pm
There are a number of objectors on here who have questioned why we need the right to offend believers – you are completely missing the point. We need the right to freedom of speech without having to worry about whether someone of faith is offended. For example, were I to be involved in a debate about Islam, my views on “the prophet” Mohammed would without doubt be considered offensive by all Muslims. My views have been informed by a number of different books, websites and discussions with others. So would it be right that a Muslim could defend Mohammed in the knowledge that they could have me charged under this new law because my outlook is offensive to them? Likewise, were I to be engaged in a debate about the role of faith schools with a Christian, again I could land in hot water. My view is that I would not want my child/children educated in an establishment that pays tribute someone who, according to the bible, has murdered over 2.5 million people, mostly on a whim, and is therefore a totally unsuitable role model. Now again, is it reasonable for a Christian to ask for me to be charged because this view offends them? I am not asking for the right to walk into a church and hurl profanities at the congregation, but I do want to be able to express my views, however offensive someone of faith might find them, without the threat of legal action hanging over me. Theists must remember that a number of religious views are offensive to us (racism, sexism and homophobia to name but three) and we must have the right to refute these without being fined.
Comment by Nick Gualtieri — January 2, 2010 @ 7:28 pm
If we remove blasphemy laws then we should also remove laws protecting citizens against GBH. This would be fair.
Comment by Robin Wood — January 2, 2010 @ 7:29 pm
Only €25,000 fine for blasphemy? Oh, come on Fianna Fáil, that won’t bail you out of the shit since your crappy corrupt party fucked the celtic tiger and screwed us all to pick up the tab. Will you use the proceeds to compensate the state because Bertie was so generous to Fuhrer Benedict XIV’s deviant dog-collared stormtroopers, saving them from coughing up the zillions to pay towards the damage done to their victims?
Nah, the new law’s too soft. Why not burn blasphemers and heritics at the stake in College Green??? Makes just as much sense as the stupid blasphemy laws. I’m ashamed of the current government, they are as much of an international embarrasment to Ireland as George W(ank**) Bush’s lot were to the poor old yanks.
Comment by graham mac kee — January 2, 2010 @ 8:07 pm
If Jesus really loves me, why hasn’t he called?
Comment by Susan — January 2, 2010 @ 10:30 pm
Because he doesn’t have your number…
Comment by Mark — January 2, 2010 @ 10:33 pm
Well done guys. Awesome work.
Comment by Martin Kennelly — January 2, 2010 @ 10:36 pm
Defences to the blasphemy law:
(3) It shall be a defence to proceedings for an offence under this section for the defendant to prove that a reasonable person would find genuine literary, artistic, political, scientific, or academic value in the matter to which the offence relates.
It’s interesting that religious value isn’t included. No doubt they’d be able to force it under academic or political value, but so much of the content of religion is blasphemous to other religions (Zionism and its offshoots are notoriously intollerant).
Comment by David Wilkinson — January 2, 2010 @ 10:40 pm
[...] critical thinkers who publish Atheist Ireland have responded to the implementation of an anti-blasphemy law (that imposes a €25,000 fine) championed by [...]
Pingback by Thoughts on true courage « My Point Exactly — January 2, 2010 @ 10:49 pm
Am I?
Blasphemous?
Comment by I am that I am — January 2, 2010 @ 10:58 pm
Here are some Old Testament claims and the problems they provoke:
a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7.In this day and age, what would be a fair price for her?
c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev.15:19-24).The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Papuans, Indonesians and Tongans but not New Zealanders. Is this correct? Why can’t I own New Zealanders?
e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself or can I hire someone to do so?
f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. But am I right?
g) Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27. How should they die?
i) I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread. (cotton/polyester blend) He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev. 24:10) Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev.20:14)
Isn’t it great that God’s word is eternal and unchanging!
Comment by tony bond — January 2, 2010 @ 11:00 pm
Excellent work- I wish you every success
Comment by Paul Orton — January 2, 2010 @ 11:01 pm
Laws against blasphemy, in Ireland and elsewhere, are contrary to free expression and that is reason enough for them to be abolished, whether or not we believe in God (or spaghetti monsters).
The same goes for the other laws against free expression, such as those against Holocaust denial, racism, antisemitism, etc. I do not believe that such laws have any efficiency in reducing racism and antisemitism; all they do is maintain a kind of clean facade. They too should be abolished.
David
Comment by David Olivier — January 2, 2010 @ 11:01 pm
@#267 etc
“what is meant by
grossly
abusive
insulting
any religion
outrage
a substantial number – These are all subjective terms.”
Could it be that drafting the law was given to some unfortunate civil servant who then came up with a form of words that is unenforceable? So it keeps the godbotherers happy but will not have any use in an actual court? Similar to the hated Section28 anti-gay law demanded by Thatcher but never used because it was meaningless (and I once met the civil servant who drafted S28 and who did not disagree with my analysis).
But still dangerous – S28 was never used in court but created a smokescreen for bigots to create fear within, especially, clasrooms, for two decades. So, where can I send you money, AI?
Comment by Pam I. — January 2, 2010 @ 11:04 pm
having read most of the quotes and comments, it leaves me with nothing to say as the bible says it all people perish for lack of knowledge. Jesus is the way the truth and the life, the earlier you accept him in your life the better for y’all. Happy New Year
Comment by Henry — January 2, 2010 @ 11:05 pm
I need some help about some of God’s unchanging laws and how best to follow them –
a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7.In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev.15:19-24).The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Papuans, Indonesians and Tongans but not New Zealanders. Is this right? Why can’t I own New Zealanders?
e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself or can I hire someone to do so?
f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. But am I right?
g) Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27. How should they die?
i) I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread. (cotton/polyester blend) He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev. 24:10) Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev.20:14)
Isn’t it great that God’s word is eternal and unchanging!
Comment by tony bond — January 2, 2010 @ 11:06 pm
My religion preaches how bad other religions are.. If I’m not allowed to preach, what happens to my liberty???
Comment by John Peter — January 2, 2010 @ 11:09 pm
AI has the right idea here… only overwhelming this new poorly conceived law with violations will force lawmakers to rethink it. Once they realize that it is instigating far more blasphemy than it will ever discourage will Irish believers join the ranks of those who want it to be scrapped. I applaud your efforts!
Dan Brown, agnostic
USA
Comment by Daniel Brown — January 2, 2010 @ 11:11 pm
I am an Athesist. Ditching religion and superstition removed an incredible part of anxiety, fear and neurosis.I am a happier and
deeper man.It seems like a good part of my mind has been untangled from
living with any belief system that never made a lick of sense to me.
I’ve evolved from being pissed and disgusted at the phony religious
freaks to accepting and respecting everyone’s personal beliefs.
When it comes to religious overtones in war, I’m still disgusted and angry.
Cultures who never heard of the Bible, or Koran, still do things for
the good of their community and brothers. Peace.
Comment by Boingo — January 2, 2010 @ 11:12 pm
It is sad to read the Irish government perceives freedom of religion as more important than freedom of speech.
Why would they choose to fine? I would think financially penalizing citizens for their words while allowing religions to retain their tax free status is an obvious conflict for the Government. Or is this some kind of intellectual wealth transfer to those who need it the most?
Comment by Rob Bodnar — January 2, 2010 @ 11:14 pm
I have been told by several religious (moderate, granted) friends already that they don’t plan on setting foot in Ireland until this law has been repealed. Well done, Ireland – you’ve become the laughing stock of the world, even amongst those you’re trying to please.
Comment by Richard — January 2, 2010 @ 11:24 pm
WTF? Ireland? Home of (some of) my forefathers? I’m ashamed of you!
Comment by Tim Maskell — January 2, 2010 @ 11:25 pm
This was written by the norwegian writer Helge Krog about professor of theology Ole Hallesby. Hallesby was the one reported (the writer) Arnulf Overland for blasphemy after Overland`s lectures on Christianity as the 10th plague in 1933:
“Hallesby is in my eyes a monster. In the zoological order he is of the most bloodthirsty species, the Evangelical Lutheran, which in Arctic regions are encountered in the wild, feeding off the local population.”
Comment by Bjorn M. L. Hansen — January 2, 2010 @ 11:25 pm
Excellent. Can we get a march going or something? On a sunday?
Comment by HybridPaul — January 2, 2010 @ 11:27 pm
In other words: Go, my fellow atheists, go!
Comment by Bjorn M. L. Hansen — January 2, 2010 @ 11:29 pm
Goddamn! I have been wishing to visit Ireland for years. But, fucking holy Mary, it seems that currently my speech habits make it dangerous. Shitty jesus… Hope you all irish bros and sisters will soon be back form fuckingchrist middle ages! Hold out!
Comment by Spaniard — January 2, 2010 @ 11:29 pm
All churches should be moved to prime location sites.. next to sewer treatment plants, so all the bullshit wont get scattered beyond its doors. Fuck god, the pope, mohammed and Brian Tamati. He is NZs answer to god
Comment by Murray Rowlands — January 2, 2010 @ 11:32 pm
I think that this page does nothing to further the cause of atheism. It seems obvious to me that too many of the people on here just want an outlet for their small-minded hatreds; if they weren’t picking on people of religion they would be saying the same thing about different races. Irish atheists are showing themselves as bitter fanatics with zero tolerance for people who think different from them. Dawkins might be the family- face of atheism with his nice posh English accent but the Irish atheists have certainly shown what it is all really about. I don’t believe in a god, but I do believe in basic human decency; many people on here are missing that.
Comment by Joe Quinn — January 2, 2010 @ 11:42 pm
Few have been more critical of religious organizations over the years than Jehovah’s Witnesses. Yet they are universally recognized as a nonviolent people. They’re ‘weapons’ are words only.
Would that all followed that example. Then you could have groups of uncompromising principles existing side by side with like groups espousing different principles. And you wouldn’t need silly laws such as this one, which carry so much potential for abuse.
It’s the only practical way in a pluralistic society.
Comment by tom sheepandgoats — January 2, 2010 @ 11:43 pm
545.Excellent. Can we get a march going or something? On a sunday?
Comment by HybridPaul — January 2, 2010 @ 11:27 pm
Maybe the Organge order would welcome you. The like marching around insulting people too.
Comment by Joe Quinn — January 2, 2010 @ 11:44 pm
[...] Offending the Flying Spaghetti Monster is now illegal in Ireland By Pam I at least I think that’s what has happened – a strict new blasphemy law came into force today in Ireland. Secular campaigners have published a set of 25 apparently blaphemous quotes, to test the law. Go see, here. [...]
Pingback by Offending the Flying Spaghetti Monster is now illegal in Ireland « Pam Isherwood’s Weblog — January 2, 2010 @ 11:52 pm
So the age of enlightenment is snuffed out in Ireland. Which country will be next as medieval ceases to be history?
Comment by John MacSorley — January 2, 2010 @ 11:54 pm
“The mind of man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.”-Diderot
Comment by Kennypo65 — January 2, 2010 @ 11:55 pm
Bob Hayes,
“Very, very many of the contributors exhibit bile and hatred of which an Inquisitor would be proud.”
More like the bile and hatred the victim has for the Inquisitor. Blaspheme law was an integral part of the Inquisitor’s legal tools.
Your reference to “atheist faith” is itself an example of bile.
Comment by Brian Macker — January 2, 2010 @ 11:56 pm
Is Irish Anti-blasphemy Law Such a Bad Thing?
http://bit.ly/5WtCyW
Comment by Paul Garrigan — January 2, 2010 @ 11:58 pm
I pray to my toilet brush. I get the same probability of success of these bigots who made this law.
If I write about the Toothfairy being a witch will I be accused of blasphemy? Where is the difference? How can you define what is blasphemy?
I urge all Irish pastafarians to intervene and do what this mockery law deserve.
There is no God.
(greetings from Italy)
Comment by Alex — January 2, 2010 @ 11:58 pm
No one has a right not to be offended. Good for you and stop this insanity to stop Free Speech!
Comment by Kaffir_Kanuck — January 2, 2010 @ 11:58 pm
definitely… let’s not get back to past…2010 !!! please, NOW !!!
Comment by moabi — January 2, 2010 @ 11:59 pm
I am amazed to hear of this new law in Ireland. This is not progress. Congratulations and best of luck on this campaign.
My favorite quote of late is from Bram Stoker’s Dracula-
“Faith: ‘that which enables us to believe things which we know to be untrue.’”
Comment by Brian Bielick — January 3, 2010 @ 12:01 am
hope this isn’t a repost, but I’m not reading 526 comments…
http://punditkitchen.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/political-pictures-darth-vader-blasphemy-style.jpg
Comment by Nik — January 3, 2010 @ 12:05 am
[...] New Blasphemy law takes effect in Ireland From today, 1 January 2010, the new Irish blasphemy law becomes operational, and we begin our campaign to have it repealed. Blasphemy is now a crime punishable by a €25,000 fine. The new law defines blasphemy as publishing or uttering matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion, with some defences permitted. [...]
Pingback by Phasor Burn » Blog Archive » Jumping Jesus H. Christ on a Pogo Stick — January 3, 2010 @ 12:07 am
Ireland for the world cup
Comment by mohsin — January 3, 2010 @ 12:08 am
[...] of something terrible that will catch up with your particular group in the end, one way or another. Here’s the full text from blasphemy.ie: From today, 1 January 2010, the new Irish blasphemy law becomes operational, and we begin our [...]
Pingback by Blasphemy laws in 2010? Oh yes – The Word – According To Me — January 3, 2010 @ 12:09 am
God is dead and never existed except in the minds of simple, uneducated minds. Ireland can stick its laws up their asses.
Comment by Maurice Oates — January 3, 2010 @ 12:11 am
This is just sad… sad on so many levels…
I was in belfast recently, where a sense of optimism and warmth is succeeding an uneasy peace which itself succeeded decades, sorry, centuries of internecine warfare. Just what do you think your average shankill road proddy makes of this? Personally, I’d be dusting off the armalite thinking, “Well those guys south of the border are a charming bunch and its not a personal thing but its clear that the RCC has the irish state by the short and curlies and as soon as we drop our guard we’ll be living in a brutal theocracy that makes the taliban look like sunday school teachers”
Meanwhile, in the other unfortunate cold wet island splashing in the atlantic off the coast of europe, a light goes out. The scots and welsh (and to some extent some of the more bolshy english regions) have spent the last 30 years idolising the emerald isle as an example of what we could achieve if freed from the depredations of that pack of thieving london based bastards that seem to control our government, our media, our banks and so on. Now its clear that you guys aint free either. Just in your case “the man” likes incense, robes and buggering little boys.
Comment by fred — January 3, 2010 @ 12:12 am
I’ll throw one out for the Irish to quote…
A man must be either delusional or a fool to assume that God loves him, when he has punished an entire race for the sins of those long dead.
Comment by AnonyMouse — January 3, 2010 @ 12:22 am
Thank you for your inspirational, artistic and relevant anti-religious quotes. May Science, Truth and Honesty reign supreme around the world.
If a religion can’t stand up to criticism or even hatred, it isn’t worth much… is it?
Timothy Johnson
The State of Georgia, USA
Comment by Tim Johnson — January 3, 2010 @ 12:24 am
Joe Quinn (#549),
“if they weren’t picking on people of religion they would be saying the same thing about different races.”
Get something straight. Disputing a false religion is not the same as picking on those who choose to belong to that religion, no more so than disputing the claim that Jews are inferior is picking on Nazis.
Assuming that people who don’t believe the nonsense taught by a religion would naturally start denouncing people because of their race is itself a form of bigotry.
“I don’t believe in a god, but I do believe in basic human decency; many people on here are missing that.”
“Irish atheists are showing themselves as bitter fanatics with zero tolerance for people who think different from them.”
Sam Spade (or Sherlock Holmes) you are not. Who says any are Irish. I’m American. This group wants to test the law and I’m helping them by writing truths which are also blasphemy in certain religions.
Also, please learn what tolerance means. Expressing contempt for oppressive religion is resistance to intolerance. Tolerance is not about quietly accepting false belief when it is forced upon you.
“Dawkins might be the family- face of atheism with his nice posh English accent but the Irish atheists have certainly shown what it is all really about.”
Do I detect more than a touch of anti-Irish bigotry? Instead of writing these vague over generalized anti-Irish accusations why don’t you quote exactly the comments you think cross the line. We can then ask them if they are even Irish.
Next we can assess if Irish whether it is reasonable to assume all Irish atheist behave in the way you find offensive or whether that is just your own bias based on your own prejudices.
“I don’t believe in a god,”
Yes, but do you have any Irish friends? I’m expecting you to say next, “some of my best friends are Irish”.
but I do believe in basic human decency; many people on here are missing that.”
What exactly and specifically was indecent? Was it the claim that the Catholic church was run by pederasts? That would be indecent, but unfortunately it is also true, and therefore indecent of the clerics, not the person pointing it out. Pederasts were in positions of authority within the Catholic church, and were allowed to behave as such with knowledge of this going all the way up the hierarchy to the Pope.
Do you realize that the holy texts of the people you feel sorry for claim that non-believers are in fact secret criminals worthy of being tortured for eternity on a bonfire?
Comment by Brian Macker — January 3, 2010 @ 12:27 am
Dear Brian Macker, I am Irish and these laws are being implemented in my country. Your assumptions about me are a perfect example of the athiest arrogance to insult first and ask questions later.
Comment by Joe Quinn — January 3, 2010 @ 12:34 am
¡Joé!, menudos abducidos por la gran boñiga milenaria.
Pero, esto ¿Qué narices es?
Alucino por la pata abajo. Paletos gobernantes Irlandeses.
Comment by aNT366 — January 3, 2010 @ 12:35 am
Ireland blew it
Comment by will — January 3, 2010 @ 12:35 am
If I were to treat my children the way ‘god’ treats us, I would be accused of being an absentee parent. If we are to call you ‘father’, please act like one or forever go away
Comment by lostboy — January 3, 2010 @ 12:36 am
My full suppoort to this website, the mere fact that a modern country has laws against blasphemy is contrary the very notion of modern. Lately it seams that freedom of religion only applies as long as you have a religion.
Comment by Raul — January 3, 2010 @ 12:36 am
As Brendan Behan once said;
“The compliments pass when the quality meet”
Comment by Joe Quinn — January 3, 2010 @ 12:40 am
Indeed, this whole affair demonstrates that religion -any religion- is the man-made blueprint for a moral system of lies, suppression and indeed stupidity. Religion was engineered by humans (those who ‘knew’ and therefore had the power, to wield control over other humans, large groups of them, to keep them stupid and afraid. Religion is full of fear, terror, unjustified punishments, and all other sorts of mishap that are typically used by humans to gain and retain (earthly) power in an obscene way. Jesus may have existed, but surely he was no more than a (noble) man with an ideology that he tried to spread by means of methods well known by the culture at the time. But he was most certainly not the son of any god. He no doubt fucked around as any healthy man does, he will certainly have drunk and god knows what else he was quite normal in.
The other -even more challenging problem- with that blasphemy act is of course that there is no way in which a “religion” can be defined objectively, neutrally, in a legally sensible matter. Do I have the right to proclaim *my* religion, to which I am the only follower (freedom of religion, ye know) and where the religion’s only faith is that charging money with no service in return is evil? I think I do. I find that utterly evil, people charging me money for no service in return (VAT). Can I have the state prosecuted for its blasphemous acts (according to *my* religion) whenever I am charged VAT?
Welcome, Ireland, welcome to the dark middle ages of subjective, dangerous and intolerant judging. You clearly now belong to the hall of shame, together with other countries where they fail to see that religion ought to be only tolerated as a personal hobby, exercised in the private spheres of the living room or backyard.
Pfff…
jacques, amsterdam
Comment by jacques — January 3, 2010 @ 12:40 am
Are you serious, Robin Wood? How can you compare laws stopping people calling the pope a poop eater to grievous bodily harm? It’s almost ridiculous as christianity, which I purposefully didn’t capitalise to show my disdain for it.
Comment by Splurgy — January 3, 2010 @ 12:45 am
I’m a 37 year old from an Asian country that experienced two decades of a political dictatorship. I’m worried about what our own religious Right is learning from the Irish action.
The Irish anti-blasphemy law brings only this to mind: Be glad! After all, stupid laws can be repealed, right? At least your legislators are only clearly a bunch of nutters for having let this onto their statute books, not a gaggle of greedy politicians in a fascist state, or worse.
Offensive words deserve, at worst, only that the speaker not be listened to. Turn to a different channel, tune out the blame fool who speaks blasphemous gibberish if you so wish. File a tort case or something. Refuse the next date. Get new friends. KEEP THE REPARTEE IN THE PRIVATE SPHERE, AND KEEP THE STATE OUT OF IT.
Hasn’t the previous century’s experience of state-sponsored intolerance taught the Irish parliament nothing?
Comment by Antonio — January 3, 2010 @ 12:46 am
It has always seemed ludicrous to me to even suggest that man has ever adequately described God.
It is perhaps even more ludicrous that millions accept the tenants of ancient peoples as their guide to a modern world.
Any investigation of the scriptures (without forgone conclusion) will reveal nothing more than the histories and imaginings of relatively primitive men.
Furthermore I see no real evidence of a “soul” in man, woman or any other creature on earth. I see no good or evil. I only different levels if intelligence, awareness and conscience.
I’m relatively certain that unless I have my head and/or body frozen (till a future time) that once I lay down for the “dirt nap” I won’t be getting up for anything.
But I must admit one thing eludes me.
Where did all the matter come from? Most people can get their arms around everything from the Big Bang to the Modern Era. But where did all the organic and inorganic compounds that comprise the matter come from?
The planets, galaxies and Universe are well understood along with the various life forms certainly peppered throughout- not unlike the stars themselves.
So here’s the big question: If some entity (call it whatever you like) “created” all of this what created that entity? What created the “what” etc., etc. add infinitum?
Regardless of whether or not the powers that be see the wisdom of repealing the “Irish blasphemy law” that question will likely remain forever.
Comment by Jack Heath — January 3, 2010 @ 12:47 am
What is wrong with the bloody religious? I thought that their beliefs gave them phenomenal “spiritual” strength. People die for their religion. Surely they must, by definition, feel superior – they have “seen the light”, have “chosen the path of righteousness”, have belief in “the one true God”, “walk in the steps of Christ” and other similar sentiments. These people are clearly think temselves well special.
Is their faith then not strong enough to withstand the abuse, the detraction, the denigrations of those who do not share it and misunderstand it? Instead of running to the law when somebody says something uncomplimentary abouit their beliefs, can’t they simply feel quietly superior? My beliefs, my ideas, my world view lack the endorsement of an omniscient being but I would never expect society to somehow protect me from those who would deride or debunk them. If the adversary is willing to engage in rational debate I will do so and argue my case. If they wish merely to scoff, scorn, belittle and misrepresent then I will take myself out of their company. I do not need the law, so why do they? After all, they’re on their way to paradise. It’s hell for me.
Comment by Michael Green — January 3, 2010 @ 12:47 am
A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be.
Albert Einstein
A perfection of means, and confusion of aims, seems to be our main problem.
Albert Einstein
A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.
Albert Einstein
A question that sometimes drives me hazy: am I or are the others crazy?
Albert Einstein
A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy?
Albert Einstein
All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree.
Albert Einstein
All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual.
Albert Einstein
All these primary impulses, not easily described in words, are the springs of man’s actions.
Albert Einstein
An empty stomach is not a good political adviser.
Albert Einstein
Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools.
Albert Einstein
Any fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction.
Albert Einstein
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex… It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.
Albert Einstein
Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.
Albert Einstein
Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking.
Albert Einstein
Anyone who doesn’t take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either.
Albert Einstein
Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.
Albert Einstein
As far as I’m concerned, I prefer silent vice to ostentatious virtue.
Albert Einstein
As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain, and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.
Albert Einstein
Before God we are all equally wise – and equally foolish.
Albert Einstein
Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.
Albert Einstein
Concern for man and his fate must always form the chief interest of all technical endeavors. Never forget this in the midst of your diagrams and equations.
Albert Einstein
Confusion of goals and perfection of means seems, in my opinion, to characterize our age.
Albert Einstein
Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.
Albert Einstein
Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.
Albert Einstein
Everyone should be respected as an individual, but no one idolized.
Albert Einstein
Everything should be as simple as it is, but not simpler.
Albert Einstein
Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted.
Albert Einstein
Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.
Albert Einstein
Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.
Albert Einstein
Force always attracts men of low morality.
Albert Einstein
God always takes the simplest way.
Albert Einstein
God does not play dice.
Albert Einstein
God may be subtle, but he isn’t plain mean.
Albert Einstein
Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love.
Albert Einstein
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
Albert Einstein
He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.
Albert Einstein
He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.
Albert Einstein
Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism – how passionately I hate them!
Albert Einstein
Human beings must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it.
Albert Einstein
I am a deeply religious nonbeliever – this is a somewhat new kind of religion.
Albert Einstein
I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination.
Albert Einstein
I am not only a pacifist but a militant pacifist. I am willing to fight for peace. Nothing will end war unless the people themselves refuse to go to war.
Albert Einstein
I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best both for the body and the mind.
Albert Einstein
I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation and is but a reflection of human frailty.
Albert Einstein
I do not believe in immortality of the individual, and I consider ethics to be an exclusively human concern with no superhuman authority behind it.
Albert Einstein
I do not believe in the God of theology who rewards good and punishes evil.
Albert Einstein
I do not believe that civilization will be wiped out in a war fought with the atomic bomb. Perhaps two-thirds of the people of the earth will be killed.
Albert Einstein
I have just got a new theory of eternity.
Albert Einstein
I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.
Albert Einstein
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
Albert Einstein
I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity.
Albert Einstein
I never think of the future – it comes soon enough.
Albert Einstein
I shall never believe that God plays dice with the world.
Albert Einstein
I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.
Albert Einstein
I used to go away for weeks in a state of confusion.
Albert Einstein
I want to know all Gods thoughts; all the rest are just details.
Albert Einstein
If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed.
Albert Einstein
If the facts don’t fit the theory, change the facts.
Albert Einstein
If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?
Albert Einstein
If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor.
Albert Einstein
If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.
Albert Einstein
Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.
Albert Einstein
Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Albert Einstein
In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same.
Albert Einstein
In order to be an immaculate member of a flock of sheep, one must above all be a sheep oneself.
Albert Einstein
Information is not knowledge.
Albert Einstein
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein
Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.
Albert Einstein
Intellectuals solve problems, geniuses prevent them.
Albert Einstein
Isn’t it strange that I who have written only unpopular books should be such a popular fellow?
Albert Einstein
It gives me great pleasure indeed to see the stubbornness of an incorrigible nonconformist warmly acclaimed.
Albert Einstein
It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.
Albert Einstein
It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education.
Albert Einstein
It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder.
Albert Einstein
It is only to the individual that a soul is given.
Albert Einstein
It is strange to be known so universally and yet to be so lonely.
Albert Einstein
It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.
Albert Einstein
It should be possible to explain the laws of physics to a barmaid.
Albert Einstein
It stands to the everlasting credit of science that by acting on the human mind it has overcome man’s insecurity before himself and before nature.
Albert Einstein
It was the experience of mystery – even if mixed with fear – that engendered religion.
Albert Einstein
It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.
Albert Einstein
Joy in looking and comprehending is nature’s most beautiful gift.
Albert Einstein
Knowledge of what is does not open the door directly to what should be.
Albert Einstein
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Albert Einstein
Let every man be respected as an individual and no man idolized.
Albert Einstein
Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.
Albert Einstein
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
Albert Einstein
Love is a better teacher than duty.
Albert Einstein
Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.
Albert Einstein
Memory is deceptive because it is colored by today’s events.
Albert Einstein
Morality is of the highest importance – but for us, not for God.
Albert Einstein
Most of the fundamental ideas of science are essentially simple, and may, as a rule, be expressed in a language comprehensible to everyone.
Albert Einstein
Most people say that is it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character.
Albert Einstein
My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind.
Albert Einstein
Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.
Albert Einstein
Never do anything against conscience even if the state demands it.
Albert Einstein
Never lose a holy curiosity.
Albert Einstein
No amount of experimentation can ever prove me right; a single experiment can prove me wrong.
Albert Einstein
No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.
Albert Einstein
Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.
Albert Einstein
Nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced.
Albert Einstein
Occurrences in this domain are beyond the reach of exact prediction because of the variety of factors in operation, not because of any lack of order in nature.
Albert Einstein
Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.
Albert Einstein
One may say the eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility.
Albert Einstein
One strength of the communist system of the East is that it has some of the character of a religion and inspires the emotions of a religion.
Albert Einstein
Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.
Albert Einstein
Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person.
Albert Einstein
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.
Albert Einstein
Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.
Albert Einstein
Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.
Albert Einstein
People love chopping wood. In this activity one immediately sees results.
Albert Einstein
Perfection of means and confusion of ends seem to characterize our age.
Albert Einstein
Politics is for the present, but an equation is for eternity.
Albert Einstein
Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.
Albert Einstein
Reading, after a certain age, diverts the mind too much from its creative pursuits. Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking.
Albert Einstein
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
Albert Einstein
Science is a wonderful thing if one does not have to earn one’s living at it.
Albert Einstein
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Albert Einstein
Small is the number of people who see with their eyes and think with their minds.
Albert Einstein
Solitude is painful when one is young, but delightful when one is more mature.
Albert Einstein
Sometimes one pays most for the things one gets for nothing.
Albert Einstein
Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.
Albert Einstein
Technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal.
Albert Einstein
That deep emotional conviction of the presence of a superior reasoning power, which is revealed in the incomprehensible universe, forms my idea of God.
Albert Einstein
The attempt to combine wisdom and power has only rarely been successful and then only for a short while.
Albert Einstein
The devil has put a penalty on all things we enjoy in life. Either we suffer in health or we suffer in soul or we get fat.
Albert Einstein
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
The distinction between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.
Albert Einstein
The environment is everything that isn’t me.
Albert Einstein
The faster you go, the shorter you are.
Albert Einstein
The fear of death is the most unjustified of all fears, for there’s no risk of accident for someone who’s dead.
Albert Einstein
The gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge.
Albert Einstein
The grand aim of all science is to cover the greatest number of empirical facts by logical deduction from the smallest number of hypotheses or axioms.
Albert Einstein
The hardest thing to understand in the world is the income tax.
Albert Einstein
The high destiny of the individual is to serve rather than to rule.
Albert Einstein
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.
Albert Einstein
The man of science is a poor philosopher.
Albert Einstein
The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.
Albert Einstein
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.
Albert Einstein
The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible.
Albert Einstein
The only real valuable thing is intuition.
Albert Einstein
The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.
Albert Einstein
The only source of knowledge is experience.
Albert Einstein
The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.
Albert Einstein
The process of scientific discovery is, in effect, a continual flight from wonder.
Albert Einstein
The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.
Albert Einstein
The release of atomic energy has not created a new problem. It has merely made more urgent the necessity of solving an existing one.
Albert Einstein
The road to perdition has ever been accompanied by lip service to an ideal.
Albert Einstein
The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.
Albert Einstein
The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.
Albert Einstein
The unleashed power of the atom has changed everything save our modes of thinking and we thus drift toward unparalleled catastrophe.
Albert Einstein
The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.
Albert Einstein
The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking.
Albert Einstein
The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.
Albert Einstein
There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.
Albert Einstein
There comes a time when the mind takes a higher plane of knowledge but can never prove how it got there.
Albert Einstein
There could be no fairer destiny for any physical theory than that it should point the way to a more comprehensive theory in which it lives on as a limiting case.
Albert Einstein
There is no logical way to the discovery of these elemental laws. There is only the way of intuition, which is helped by a feeling for the order lying behind the appearance.
Albert Einstein
Things should be made as simple as possible, but not any simpler.
Albert Einstein
To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science.
Albert Einstein
To the Master’s honor all must turn, each in its track, without a sound, forever tracing Newton’s ground.
Albert Einstein
Too many of us look upon Americans as dollar chasers. This is a cruel libel, even if it is reiterated thoughtlessly by the Americans themselves.
Albert Einstein
True art is characterized by an irresistible urge in the creative artist.
Albert Einstein
True religion is real living; living with all one’s soul, with all one’s goodness and righteousness.
Albert Einstein
Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.
Albert Einstein
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.
Albert Einstein
We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.
Albert Einstein
We cannot despair of humanity, since we ourselves are human beings.
Albert Einstein
We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
Albert Einstein
We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive.
Albert Einstein
We should take care not to make the intellect our god; it has, of course, powerful muscles, but no personality.
Albert Einstein
We still do not know one thousandth of one percent of what nature has revealed to us.
Albert Einstein
Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.
Albert Einstein
When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.
Albert Einstein
When the solution is simple, God is answering.
Albert Einstein
When you are courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a red-hot cinder a second seems like an hour. That’s relativity.
Albert Einstein
Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.
Albert Einstein
Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.
Albert Einstein
Without deep reflection one knows from daily life that one exists for other people.
Albert Einstein
You ask me if I keep a notebook to record my great ideas. I’ve only ever had one.
Albert Einstein
You can never solve a problem on the level on which it was created.
Albert Einstein
You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war.
Albert Einstein
You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.
Albert Einstein
Comment by JohnB — January 3, 2010 @ 12:51 am
Abu Ala Al-Ma’arri – The world holds two classes of men – intelligent men without religion, and religious men without intelligence
Albert Einstein – Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death
Albert Einstein – Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth
Alena Castle – To live without god beliefs is intellectually stimulating. To find one’s own purpose and be responsible for one’s own life is exciting. To be free of the imagines surveillance of good and evil spirits is liberating
Amanda Bloom – An Idea does not gain truth as it gains followers
Ambrose Bierce – Faith: Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge
Ambrose Bierce – Pray: To ask the laws of the universe to be annulled on behalf of a single petitioner
Andy Rooney – Everyone starts out being an atheist. No one is born with belief in anything. Infants are atheists until they are indoctrinated
Anon – A lie is a lie even if everyone believes it. The truth is the truth even if no one believes it.
Anton Lavey – Every religion in the world that has destroyed people is based on love.
Aristophanes – Surely you don’t believe in the gods. What’s your argument? Where’s your proof?
Aristotle – A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side
Aristotle – men create gods after their own image, not only with regard to their form, but with regard to their mode of life.
Arthur C. Clarke – It may be that our role on this planet is not to worship God, but to create him.
Arthur C. Clarke – One of the great tragedies of mankind is that morality has been hijacked by religion
Arthur C. Clarke – Religion is a byproduct of fear. For much of human history, it may have been a necessary evil, but why was it more evil than necessary?
Arthur Schopenhauer – Religions are like fireflies. They require darkness in order to shine
Ayn Rand – Religion is a primitive form of philosophy, the attempt to offer a comprehensive view of reality.
B.C. cartoon – Religious Cult: The church down the street from yours.
Baron D’Holbach – It is only by dispelling the clouds and phantoms of religion that we shall discover truth, reason, and morality
Baron D’Holbach – All religions are ancient monuments to superstitions, ignorance, ferocity; and modern religions are only ancient follies rejuvenated
Baron D’Holbach – If we go back to the beginning we shall find that ignorance and fear created the gods; that fancy, enthusiasm and deceit adorned them; that weakness worships them; that credulity preserves them; and that custom, respect and tyranny support them; in order to make the blindness of men serve their own interests. If the ignorance of nature gave birth to the gods, the knowledge of nature is calculated to destroy them
Benjamin Disraeli – Where knowledge ends, religion begins
Benjamin Franklin – Lighthouses are more helpful than churches.
Benjamin Franklin – The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason.
Bertrand Russell – I am as firmly convinced that religions do harm as I am that they are untrue.
Bertrand Russell – if there were a God, I think it very unlikely that He would have such an uneasy vanity as to be offended by those who doubt His existence
Bertrand Russell – It is undesirable to believe a proposition when there is no ground whatever for supposing it true
Bertrand Russell – Religion is based, I think, primarily and mainly upon fear. It is partly the terror of the unknown and partly, as I have said, the wish to feel that you have a kind of elder brother who will stand by you in all your troubles and disputes. Fear is the basis of the whole thing — fear of the mysterious, fear of defeat, fear of death. Fear is the parent of cruelty, and therefore it is no wonder if cruelty and religion have gone hand in hand.
Bertrand Russell – So far as I can remember, there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence.
Bill Maher – I think flying planes into a building was a faith-based initiative.
Billy Joel – I believe all important matters have to be settled here, not in the clouds somewhere after we kick off
Blaise Pascal – Men never commit evil so fully and joyfully as when they do it for religious convictions
Brenda Cornish – Atheism – Liberation through Reason and Knowledge
Carl Sagan – Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence
Carl Sagan – It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
Carl Sagan – You can’t convince a believer of anything; for their belief is not based on evidence, it’s based on a deep-seated need to believe
Carlespie Mary Alice McKinney – Religion does three things quite effectively: Divides people, Controls people, Deludes people
Chapman Cohen – Gods are fragile things; they may be killed by a whiff of science or a dose of common sense
Charlie Chaplin – By simple common sense I don’t believe in God
Christopher Hitches – What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence
Clarence Darrow – I do not believe in God because I do not believe in Mother Goose.
Clarence Darrow – I do not consider it an insult, but rather a compliment to be called an agnostic. I do not pretend to know where many ignorant men are sure — that is all that agnosticism means.
Clark Adams – If Atheism is a religion, then health is a disease!
Coral Yoshi – So you really think that God would plant a bunch of bones in the earth to test your faith? Either you’re in denial or God has some serious self-esteem issues
Dan Barker – You believe in a book that has talking animals, wizards, witches, demons, sticks turning into snakes, food falling from the sky, people walking on water, and all sorts of magical, absurd and primitive stories, and you say that we are the ones that need help?
Dan Fouts – I’m a polyatheist; there are many gods I don’t believe in
Daniel Patrick Moynihan – Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but not their own facts
David Aaronovitch – The problem is that all monotheisms are by their nature anti-pluralistic. They’ve got one true god and the very latest valid version of his thoughts. It is asking a lot of monotheisms to coexist with other faiths and views. Paganism is much better suited to modern ideas of tolerance and human rights
David Brooks – To explain the unknown by the known is a logical procedure; to explain the known by the unknown is a form of theological lunacy
David Hume – Errors in religion are dangerous; those in philosophy are only ridiculous
David Hume – God’s power is infinite, whatever he wills is executed, but neither man nor any other animal is happy, therefore he does not will their happiness
Decca Aitkenhead – trying to defend religion by invoking science is like claiming that three plus four equals ice cream
Delos B. McKown – The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike
Denis Diderot – Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest
Denis Diderot – The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers
Don Henley – We satisfy our endless needs and justify our bloody deeds in the name of destiny and in the name of god
Don Hirschberg – Calling Atheism a religion is like calling bald a hair color.
Donald Morgan – Atheist: A person who believes in one less god than you do
Donald Morgan A thorough reading and understanding of the Bible is the surest path to atheism
Douglas Adams – Isn’t it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?
Edgar Allan Poe – The pioneers and missionaries of religion have been the real cause of more trouble and war than all other classes of mankind.
Edgar Shoaff – A skeptic is a person who would ask god for his ID card
Edward Abbey – Fantastic doctrines (like Christianity or Islam or Marxism) require unanimity of belief. One dissenter casts doubt on the creed of millions. Thus the fear and hate; thus the torture chamber, the iron stake, the gallows, the labor camp, the psychiatric ward.
Edward Abbey – Whatever we cannot easily understand we call god; this saves much wear and tear on the brain tissues
Elizabeth Cady Stanton – The Bible and Church have been the greatest stumbling block in the way of women’s emancipation
Emma Goldman – The philosophy of Atheism represents a concept of life without any metaphysical Beyond or Divine Regulator. It is the concept of an actual, real world with its liberating, expanding and beautifying possibilities, as against an unreal world, which, with its spirits, oracles, and mean contentment has kept humanity in helpless degradation.
Engie Mangio – Coming from Apes is so much better than Dirt
Epicurus – Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?
Ernest Hemingway – All thinking men are atheists.
Ernestine Rose – It is an interesting and demonstrable fact, that all children are atheists and were religion not inculcated into their minds, they would remain so
Francis Bacon – Atheism leaves a man to sense, to philosophy, to natural piety, to laws, to reputation; all of which may be guides to an outward moral virtue, even if religion vanished; but religious superstition dismounts all these and erects an absolute monarchy in the minds of men.
Frederick Douglass – I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs
Friedrich Nietzsche – Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies.
Friedrich Nietzsche – Faith means not wanting to know what is true.
Galileo Galilei – I do not think it is necessary to believe that the same God who has given us our senses, reason, and intelligence wished us to abandon their use, giving us by some other means the information that we could gain through them
Gene Roddenberry – For most people, religion is nothing more than a substitute for a malfunctioning brain
Gene Roddenberry – Religions vary in their degree of idiocy, but I reject them all.
Gene Roddenberry – We must question the story logic of having an all-knowing all-powerful God, who creates faulty Humans, and then blames them for his own mistakes
George Bernard Shaw – The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one.
George Carlin – I used to believe in god, until I reached the age of reason.
George Carlin – Religion easily has the best bullshit story of all time. Think about it. Religion has actually convinced people that there’s an invisible man living in the sky
George Carlin – Religion is just mind control
George Felis – Faith is a moral failing
George Washington – Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause.
Gerald Massey – They must find it difficult, those who have taken authority as truth rather than truth as authority.
Giulian Buzila – History teaches us that no other cause has brought more death than the word of god
Gloria Steinem – I hope we raise out children to believe in human potential not god
Guillermo Garcia – Us humans need to be forgiven from our wrong doings by a superior individual to live in peace, Even if it takes an invisible God
Guillermo Garcia – You are a good person because you fear damnation. I am a good person without obligation
Gustaf Lindborg – The sailor does not pray for wind, he learns to sail
Henry Louis Mencken – Faith may be defined briefly as an illogical belief in the occurrence of the improbable. A man full of faith is simply one who has lost or never had the capacity for clear and realistic thought.
Homer Simpson – Dear Lord: The gods have been good to me. For the first time in my life, everything is absolutely perfect just the way it is. So here’s the deal: You freeze everything the way it is, and I won’t ask for anything more. If that is OK, please give me absolutely no sign. OK, deal. In gratitude, I present you this offering of cookies and milk. If you want me to eat them for you, give me no sign. Thy will be done
Homer Simpson – I’ve always wondered if there was a god. And now I know there is — and it’s me
Homer Simpson – Jesus, Allah, Buddha. I love you all!
Homer Simpson – Our God is vengeful! O spiteful one, show me who to smite and they shall be smoten.
Homer Simpson – Suppose we’ve chosen the wrong god. Every time we go to church we’re just making him madder and madder
Homer Simpson – why should I spend half my Sunday hearing about how I’m going to Hell?
Iain M Banks – Reason shapes the future, but superstition infects the present
Ilka Chase – It is usually when men are at their most religious that they behave with the least sense and the greatest cruelty.
Infinity0 – Absence of evidence is evidence of absence
Jacob Bronowski – There is no absolute knowledge. And those who claim it, whether they are scientists or dogmatists, open the door to tragedy. All information is imperfect.
James Buchanan – I have seldom met an intelligent person whose views were not narrowed and distorted by religion
James Madison – During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What has been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry, and persecution.
James Madison – Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise.
Jean Anouilh – Every man thinks God is on his side. The rich and powerful know he is.
Jerry Falwell – Christians, like slaves and soldiers, ask no questions
Jesse Ventura – Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers.
Jiddu Krishnamurti – The constant assertion of belief is an indication of fear
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – Nothing is more dangerous than active ignorance
John Adams – god is an essence that we know nothing of. Until this awful blasphemy is got rid of, there never will be any liberal science in the world
John Adams – This would be the best of all possible worlds if there were no religion in it
John A. Brown – Man made god in his own image.
John A. Brown – The men who made god made him in their own image and they really were not the right people for the job.
John Stuart Mill – The time appears to me to have come when it is the duty of all to make their dissent from religion known.
Jonathan Swift – We have just enough religion to make us hate but not enough religion to make us love one another
Jonathon Miller – In some awful, strange, paradoxical way, atheists tend to take religion more seriously than the practitioners.
José Bergamín – A belief which leaves no place for doubt is not a belief; it is a superstition.
Julian Huxley – Operationally, God is beginning to resemble not a ruler but the last fading smile of a cosmic Cheshire cat
Karl Marx – Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, & the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.
Karl Marx – The first requisite of the happiness of the people is the abolition of religion.
King Alfonso – Sensible men no longer believe in miracles; they were invented by priests to humbug the peasants
Kurt Vonnegut – Say what you will about the sweet miracle of unquestioning faith, I consider a capacity for it terrifying and absolutely vile
Lord Bryon – I do not believe in any religion. I will have nothing to do with immortality. We are miserable enough in this life without speculating upon another.
Lucretius – Fear is the mother of all gods. Nature does all things spontaneously by herself without their meddling.
Mark Twain – [Mr. Clemens was once asked whether he feared death. He said that he did not, in view of the fact that he had been dead for billions and billions of years before he was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it.]
Mark Twain – A man is accepted into a church for what he believes and he is turned out for what he knows.
Mark Twain – Faith is believing something you know ain’t true.
Mark Twain – It ain’t the parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.
Mark Twain – The easy confidence with which I know another man’s religion is folly teaches me to suspect that my own is also
Matthew Arnold – Miracles do not happen
Michael Moore – There’s a gullible side to the American people. They can be easily misled. Religion is the best device used to mislead them
Michael Pain – In the absence of fear there is little faith
Miguel De Unamuno – The skeptic does not mean him who doubts, but him who investigates or researches, as opposed to him who asserts and thinks that he has found
Mohandas K Gandhi – The most heinous and the most cruel crimes of which history has recorded have been committed under the cover of religion or equally noble motives
Napoleon Bonaparte – All religions have been made by men
Napoleon Bonaparte – Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet
Napoleon Bonaparte – Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich
Ned Flanders – Science is like a blabbermouth who ruins a movie by telling you how it ends! Well I say there are some things we don’t want to know! Important things!
Nico Fourie – You need less imagination to believe that the world has just always existed than believing a god magically appeared who then with his magic powers created the world and everything else
Oscar Wilde – Truth in matters of religion is simply the opinion that has survived
Pearl S. Buck – Believing in gods always causes confusion.
Pearl S. Buck – When men destroy their old gods they will find new ones to take their place.
Percy Bysshe Shelley – If he is infinitely good, what reason should we have to fear him? If he is infinitely wise, why should we have doubts concerning our future? If he knows all, why warn him of our needs and fatigue him with our prayers? If he is everywhere, why erect temples to him? If he is just, why fear that he will punish the creatures that he has filled with weaknesses? If grace does everything for them, what reason would he have for recompensing them? If he is all-powerful, how offend him, how resist him? If he is reasonable, how can he be angry at the blind, to whom he has given the liberty of being unreasonable? If he is immovable, by what right do we pretend to make him change his decrees? If he is inconceivable, why occupy ourselves with him? If he has spoken, why is the universe not convinced? If the knowledge of a God is the most necessary, why is it not the most evident and the clearest.
Pierre Charron – All religions have this in common, that they are an outrage to common sense, for they are pieced together out of a variety of elements, some of which seem so unworthy, sordid, and at odds with man’s reason that any strong and vigorous intelligence laughs at them
Richard Dawkins – Faith is the great cop-out, the great excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence. Faith is belief in spite of, even perhaps because of, the lack of evidence.
Richard Dawkins – I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world
Richard Dawkins – There is all the difference in the world between a belief that one is prepared to defend by quoting evidence and logic and a belief that is supported by nothing more than tradition, authority, or revelation
Richard Lederer – There once was a time when all people believed in God and the church ruled. This time was called the Dark Ages.
Robert Frost – I turned to speak to god about the world’s despair; but to make matters worse, I found god wasn’t there
Robert Ingersoll – As people become more intelligent they care less for preachers and more for teachers
Robert Ingersoll – Our ignorance is God; what we know is science
Robert Ingersoll – Take from the church the miraculous, the supernatural, the incomprehensible, the unreasonable, the impossible, the unknowable, the absurd, and nothing but a vacuum remains
Robert Ingersoll – The inspiration of the bible depends on the ignorance of the person who reads it
Robert Ingersoll – There can be but little liberty on earth while men worship a tyrant in heaven.
Robert Linder – Authority has every reason to fear the skeptic, for authority can rarely survive in the face of doubt
Scott Adams – Nothing defines humans better than their willingness to do irrational things in the pursuit of phenomenally unlikely payoffs. This is the principle of lotteries, dating, and religion.
Seneca – Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful
Shaun Mason – Faith is the unflagging determination to remain ignorant in the face of any and all evidence that you’re ignorant
Sigmund Freud – In the long run, nothing can withstand reason and experience, and the contradiction religion offers to both is palpable
Sigmund Freud – Religion belonged to the infancy of the human race; it had been a necessary stage in the transition from childhood to maturity. It had promoted ethical values which were essential to society. Now that humanity had come of age, however, it should be left behind.
Sigmund Freud – Religion is an illusion and it derives its strength from the fact that it falls in with our instinctual desires.
Sigmund Freud – Religion is comparable to a childhood neurosis
Sigmund Freud – The idea of God was not a lie but a device of the unconscious which needed to be decoded by psychology.
Sigmund Freud – Those historical residues have helped us to view religious teachings, as it were, as neurotic relics, and we may now argue that the time has probably come, as it does in an analytic treatment, for replacing the effects of repression by the results of the rational operation of the intellect.
Simone de Beauvoir – I cannot be angry at God, in whom I do not believe
Sir Hermann Bondi – Religion divides us, while it is our human characteristics that bind us to each other
Stephen Roberts – I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours
Steven Weinberg – With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion
Superintendent Chalmers – Prayer has no place in the public schools, just like facts have no place in organized religion
Susan B. Anthony – I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires.
Susan B. Anthony – The religious persecution of the ages has been done under what was claimed to be the command of God
Susan B. Anthony – To no form of religion is woman indebted for one impulse of freedom
Taslima Nasrin – Religion is against women’s rights and women’s freedom. In all societies women are oppressed by all religions
Templesmith – Funny how you never see a Christian amputee grow any limbs back
Tennessee Williams – All the western theologies are based on the concept of god as a senile delinquent
Thomas Edison – I have never seen the slightest scientific proof of the religious ideas of heaven and hell, of future life for individuals, or of a personal God.
Thomas Jefferson – Christianity is the most perverted system that ever shone on man.
Thomas Jefferson – History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government.
Thomas Jefferson – I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do not find in our particular superstition (Christianity) one redeeming feature. They are all alike, founded upon fables and mythologies
Thomas Jefferson – In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own
Thomas Jefferson – It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.
Thomas Jefferson – Political as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves [of public ignorance] for their own purpose
Thomas Jefferson – Question with boldness even the existence of god; because if there be one he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear
Thomas Jefferson – The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as His father, in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter.
Thomas Jefferson – To talk of immaterial existences is to talk of nothings. To say that the human soul, angels, God, are immaterial, is to say they are nothings, or that there is no God, no angels, no soul. I cannot reason otherwise
Thomas Pain – All natural institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.
Thomas Pain – Each of those churches accuse the other of unbelief; and of my own part, I disbelieve them all.
Thomas Paine – It is from the bible that man has learned cruelty, rapine, and murder, for the belief in a cruel god makes a cruel man, and the bible is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind
Thomas Paine – Of all the tyrannies that afflict mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst. Every other species of tyranny is limited to the world we live in, but this attempts a stride beyond the grave and seeks to pursue us into eternity
Thomas Paine – The most detestable wickedness, the most horrid cruelties, and the greatest miseries that have afflicted the human race have had their origin in this thing called religion
Tom Robbins – Religion is not merely the opium of the masses, it’s the cyanide.
Treaty of Tripoli (Article 11) – The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.
Unknown – A letter to a U.K. newspaper says ’science provides an explanation of the mechanism of the December 2004 Asian tsunami but it cannot say why this occurred any more than religion can.’ There, in one sentence, we have the religious mind displayed before us in all its absurdity. In what sense of the word ‘why’, does plate tectonics not provide the answer? Not only does science know why the tsunami happened, it can give precious hours of warning. If a small fraction of the tax breaks handed out to churches, mosques and synagogues had been diverted into an early warning system, tens of thousands of people, now dead, would have been moved to safety. Let’s get up off our knees, stop cringing before bogeymen and virtual fathers, face reality, and help science to do something constructive about human suffering.
Unknown – Don’t pray in my school, and I won’t think in your church
Unknown – Fundamentalism means never having to say ‘I’m wrong’
Unknown – Give a man a fish, and you’ll feed him for a day; Give him a religion, and he’ll starve to death while praying for a fish
Unknown – God made me an atheist. Who are you to question his wisdom?
Unknown – If everything is according to gods plan, how do we have free will?
Unknown – Learn to say: I don’t know.
Unknown – Only the fool says in his heart: There is no god — The wise says it to the world
Unknown – People who don’t like their beliefs being laughed at shouldn’t have such funny beliefs
Unknown – Philosophy is questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned
Unknown – Religion is the lazy man’s path to understanding the world
Unknown – Theists think all gods but theirs are false. Atheists simply don’t make an exception for the last one
Unknown – Two hands working can do more than a thousand clasped in prayer
Unknown – You keep believing, I’ll keep evolving
Victor Hugo – There is in every village a torch: the schoolteacher, and an extinguisher: the priest
Voltaire – atheism is the voice of a few intelligent people.
Voltaire – Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion that has ever infected the world.
Voltaire – Men who believe absurdities will commit atrocities.
Voltaire – Nothing can be more contrary to religion and the clergy than reason and common sense
Wayne Adkins – How do you choose between believing in Jesus, Bigfoot, leprechauns, witchcraft, Islam, alien abductions, the Tooth Fairy, gold at the end of the rainbow, or the myriad other assertions that people have made over the course of human history?
Whitney Brown – I’m not an atheist. How can you not believe in something that doesn’t exist? That’s way too convoluted for me.
William Clifford – It is wrong always and everywhere for anyone to believe anything on insufficient evidence
Woody Allen – If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name at a Swiss Bank
Zora Neale Hurston – Gods always behave like the people who created them
Comment by JohnB — January 3, 2010 @ 12:59 am
I do not think that it is a good idea that anyone should have the right (under freedom of speech legislation) to “have the right” to offend anybody. In fact I do not like the concept of “rights” at all; I prefer to imagine a state where people have responsibilities.
On the other hand, these days, many people are too easily “offended”.
In other words, a major requirement for them is to grow up: it’s a big bad world and to expect everybody to walk on eggshells the whole time is really the ultimate in naïveté. And at the same time thinking of others (unfortunately in tis context a rather Christian principle) should be practised a little more than it is.
Paul
Comment by Paul Leclercq — January 3, 2010 @ 1:02 am
How long will the ignorance of religion attempt to maintain its power through the flowery notion of ‘faith’?
Why should people have to live in a world where they may be coaxed into ignorance? And why should that ignorance be protected by law!?
God help us all…
Comment by Jones — January 3, 2010 @ 1:03 am
Absolutely brilliant campaign. Well done to everybody involved.
These facists who have implimented this law, and who support this law, should understand that they are not only banning free speech they are banning the right, their right, to listen as well. They hang themselves as they try to hang us. Everything I value is compromised by this law; freedom of expression, free inquiry, scientific progress and personal freedoms. I don’t accept this law, I wont abide by it and I wont even think about altering my behaviour one millimeter to please some sullen-faced supporter of a child-raping cult, or some verminous mullah. If they want this fight, bring it on.
What a sad day it is to be an Irish citizen. I for one am ashamed to live in a country that outlaws freedom of expression.
Comment by Philip Hyland — January 3, 2010 @ 1:07 am
Words can hurt other people. Just think about those poor children up the north who had to walk through a crowd of people shouting abuse against their religion. Many of the people on here seem little better than this; believing they have the right to belittle people who don’t think the same as them. Shameful.
Comment by Joe Quinn — January 3, 2010 @ 1:15 am
There are things that should be considered unlawful. Blasphemy, although considered repulsive to those it targets, should not be considered as such. While I am offended at some of the posts here, I believe that the people who posted such should be able to do so. Censorship is not the answer. You can’t sugar-coat everything because then you end up with nothing.
BTW, this site is all over the news in the US. Congratulations at getting the word out.
Comment by Moose — January 3, 2010 @ 1:18 am
Blasphemy law? People is crazy.
Comment by Josua — January 3, 2010 @ 1:24 am
I shit on the fucking gay holy spirit
Jesus Christ is a gay murdering rapist
Comment by Stephen — January 3, 2010 @ 1:31 am
wow – the venom on this site! Such an irrational response from a supposedly rational movement.
The laws that are spurned are no doubt an honest attempt by many people to answer the questions above and to hopefully protect them in doing so. Atheism has no answers and leaves one very ‘cold’ in this life.
1. What caused the universe? If there is no cause for its existence, why does it exist?
2. How can atheism affirm the reality of ‘evil’ without any absolutes?
3. What is the basis for morality? How can atheism call racism & genocide ‘bad’ without a moral code?
4. What is the basis for meaning? If no purpose to life, why do atheists live as if they had meaning?
5. What is the basis for truth? How can one know if Atheism is true for everyone?
6. What is the basis for reason? Why be rational if the universe is the result of irrational chance? Should we trust one’s reason if the result of such irrational processes? **scary**
Why not just end one’s existence if atheism is true? If no absolutes, spiritual ‘realm’, etc. All that remains is non existence after death. Why choose to ’suffer’ on earth when blissful non-existence would be much better?
This movement lacks integrity in dealing with life’s most prevailing questions.
One thing we should be thankful for – the reaction from this movement should stir people to consider spiritual alternatives
Regards,
Comment by John MacCullough — January 3, 2010 @ 1:33 am
Four items:
1. As a Baptist reading the comments on here I felt like I’ve been ‘insulted’ by the inmates of Bedlam. So Ireland, you don’t need blasphemy laws. Just let the pushy atheists rant on, or do you take their sex-obsessed drivel seriously?
2. Yes, the Irish Catholic church behaved outrageously by covering up abusive paedophile priests and moving them on to other parishes to re-offend. But are we not doing exactly the same in the UK by releasing our own abusive paedophiles back into society with new names and identities? I could quote some horror stories resulting from this unacceptable secrecy. Have we learned nothing from the failings of the RC church? “He that is without sin among you cast the first stone,” applies here I would think.
3. The supernatural, upon which religion is based, has never been proved nor disproved, which leaves atheism relying on faith in the same was as religion. Scientific studies are based on all things material but not beyond, which is why science doesn’t or cannot examine the supernatural. Nor does evolution disprove the supernatural because evolution is a fact of material life. Not only do people evolve but the world as we know it evolves also; evolution is the very essence of nature. Religion is man’s interpretation of the supernatural and the Bible was written over 2,000 years ago in symbolic language and has been translated many times since and cannot be taken literary, which is why we have Bible studies.
4. Most beliefs and non-beliefs are based on fear of life after death or non-existence. Religious people want the former. Atheists prefer the latter because the former is more terrifying. Although I’m a Baptist myself and brought up within the Christian ethos, I believe the only religions that comes close to scientific discovery are Hinduism/Sikhism. I personally subscribe to the “I wake up every morning and thank God I was born Welsh”, tee-shirt but if the Indians have got it right then next time I may not be so lucky. This isn’t about the wet Dawkins argument, evolution verses creationism but rather does the supernatural exist or does it not and if not then who controls our planet, or does it control itself?
Comment by Nerys Williams — January 3, 2010 @ 1:33 am
I for one welcome the Irish Blasphemy Law. As a devout Pastafarian, I know the burden of being a member of religious minority that can’t get any respect (for those of you unfamiliar with our only true creed – not like those other creeds that falsely claim to be true – go to http://www.venganza.org). It is clear to me that any person or establishment in Ireland serving, consuming, mentioning, or writing about the the blasphemous dish know as “spaghetti and meatballs” should be prosecuted to the full extent of this enlightened legislation as the consumption or contemplation of consumption of our deity is greatly distressing and insulting to all Pastafarians! I look forward to the Pastafarian test case.
Comment by zhen — January 3, 2010 @ 1:36 am
“353.I am a Jew and even I don’t see how any of these quotes are blasphemy.”
Is that Jew the race or Jew the religion? Jew the racial grouping no issue other than as a group you do seem unable to separate racial characteristics from ideology. Jew the religion just a much older version of the same silly fantasy.
May i just say and i am fully responsible for my own comment
There is no god
Comment by Steve — January 3, 2010 @ 1:40 am
Paul Garrigan,
From your article:
“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 the truth? For instance, if I said that Hitlers Nazism is a are murderous racist ideology then would that be hate speech in your mind?
Maybe what you perceive as hate speech others recognize as the oppressed speaking out against the oppressors. Ireland is practically a theocracy already.
If you think that speaking badly about Nazism is hate speech do you think it therefore follows that such a claim is also hate speech against every German that ever thought himself a Nazi for whatever reason? Is it hate speech against all the innocent children that were duped into joining the Hitler youth? Is it hate speech against those who had never read Mein Kampf, and were not aware of every evil aspect of Nazism?
If you don’t think speaking out against Nazism isn’t hate speech then tell us why. Certainly a nazi would be very insulted by the claims I just made.
“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.”
You make me sick. You sound like the US Southerns who said they were for abolishing slavery except for the fact that blacks are too shiftless to make it in society.
Your entire post insults my deeply held beliefs. Not only that you spent part of your post insulting atheists. Maybe you should be fined 25,000.
“I have no god but that is my own personal decision.”
I have a tan but I wouldn’t use that as an excuse to defame blacks and suggest that they need laws to keep them in check.
“I have no god but that is my own personal decision.”
Who cares. Non-belief in god is not itself a positive belief. You have a different philosophy and belief system from those you criticize. You are not some insider criticizing you peers. You are an outsider criticizing the deeply held beliefs of others.
“I don’t require everyone else to believe the same way as I do,
Not a single comment on that thread advocated requiring others to believe as they do.
On the other hand your entire article is about force others to keep their mouth shut when they don’t agree with your belief that they should keep quite. You don’t require them to believe as you do but you sure require them to act the way you believe.
“and my beliefs don’t involve needing to demean other people. “
Well then you shouldn’t have written this article. You also wrote an article that demeans people who have problems with alcohol, referring to them as drunks. You’d think you’d be sensitive given your background, but no. You have another article demeaning Richard Dawkins. Calling someone “arrogant” demeans them. Another article demeaning certain monks as being “bad”.
Do your beliefs about pedophiles involve a need to demean them? I think so, and rightfully.
You arrogant hypocrite, and yes that is meant to be demeaning. It has nothing to do with the “needs” of my beliefs and everything to do with your sloppy thinking. Who are you to advocate violating my right to free speech?
Comment by Brian Macker — January 3, 2010 @ 1:44 am
Hi Brian, your last rant was your claim that I was anti-Irish even though I am Irish. I was a drunk so what? You sort of lost any credibility with me there. Your last personal attack sort of leaves arguing with you a waste of time.
Comment by Joe Quinn — January 3, 2010 @ 1:54 am
“590.wow – the venom on this site! Such an irrational response from a supposedly rational movement.
The laws that are spurned are no doubt an honest attempt by many people to answer the questions above and to hopefully protect them in doing so. Atheism has no answers and leaves one very ‘cold’ in this life.”
I often wonder how much better the world I live in would be if everyone were capable of dealing with the reality that there is no God. Capable of dealing with the fact that there is no magic fix. That we are accountable and responsible for our own actions and choices. That each of us only has a limited amount of time to exist and that each of us should try and use that time in the most positive and constructive way possible that fits with our own unique abilities.
How many people waste this life because they think there is a better one coming ?
Comment by Steve — January 3, 2010 @ 1:54 am
Bob, get a firm grip on it and give it hell and then you might realise where your presence roots arise.
They’re human beings and it’s their right to be upset from this law which seeks to curtail their ability to express themselves and if that expression is vehement opposition to this law then so be it. They are not automatons, but emotional beings and having emotions isn’t synonymous to having “faith” which you imply.
Comment by Christopher Dobbie — January 3, 2010 @ 1:58 am
/ I believe most of the comments above violate this stupid new law, so I expect the Irish courts will be very busy for very long.
/ And,if they manage to collect all the fines, this would be the best way for Ireland to recover from the economic crisis.
/ The morons of the catholic church have chosen a bad time to push this law, at a time we all have been reading all the seedy stories about the Irish bishops. How come those criminals are not in jail ?
/ I guess a few countries around the world are still under the grip of the Inquisition. I sent the link to a friend of mine in Paraguay and the only thing he gets is a blank page with “FORBIDDEN”. I had to print the article and comments into a .PDF file to send to him.
Comment by Jose Fazenda — January 3, 2010 @ 2:02 am
Good luck, people of Ireland.
Comment by Mike Mozurak — January 3, 2010 @ 2:03 am
Joe Quinn,
“I am Irish and these laws are being implemented in my country. Your assumptions about me are a perfect example of the athiest arrogance to insult first and ask questions later.”
As I recall you are the only one who jumped to conclusions, and certainly insulted first. Although my calling you a bigot was not intended as an insult, but as a true characterization of your writing.
I made no assumptions as to your ancestry, or citizenship. I only recognized in your writing that you felt the Irish did not make as good atheists as the English. That’s an anti-Irish bias no matter who holds it. I pointed out this anti-Irish bigotry and bias on your part.
I see now that you are also biased against atheists. You think like a bigot. I’m a perfect example of “atheist arrogance”? I suppose if I were black and lacked a job I’d be a perfect example of black shiftlessness. That’s how bigots talk, and think.
I’ve read your comments above and I note that you sound an awful lot like Paul Garrigan. You seem to link to him many times also. I’m guessing at this point you using the name Joe Quinn as a sock puppet. There are just too many similarities.
Comment by Brian Macker — January 3, 2010 @ 2:06 am
Jesus beat off his wise men and won over all of mankind with the first money shot ever stained into the memories of all who were there to see this wonderful joyous occasion of ultimate release. Let their be BUKKAKE! For all gods children….
Comment by chris — January 3, 2010 @ 2:13 am
Brian said
“Yes, but do you have any Irish friends? I’m expecting you to say next, “some of my best friends are Irish”.”
Seems like a bit of a presumption to me.
Of course Brian, the fact that I don’t agree with what the people on this website have to say means that I’m anti-Irish.
I think if you check back through the rest of this page you will find plenty of people are not using thier real name. On most forums I use another name, but I don’t try and go out of the way to hide who I am. Joe Quinn was my grandfather, a shop steward from Johnston, Mooney, & O’Brian. He is dead now but I like to keep his name alive. I am sure he would share many of my sentiments on the shite here.
Paul
Comment by Joe Quinn — January 3, 2010 @ 2:24 am
I have nothing of value to add, the cause is plain and simple. As a member of the Secular Coalition for America, I’m in full support of your efforts!!!
Comment by Maciej Paluch — January 3, 2010 @ 2:35 am
In response to Susan’s (comment 526) question: If Jesus really loves me, why hasn’t he called?” Maybe he is just not that into you.
This law has to be the dumbest thing since the Kansas State Legislature made Pi equal to three. Is this law stupid? Does the Pope bugger alter boys?
Comment by Sean — January 3, 2010 @ 2:37 am
[...] demons? Should atheists be advised by their legal counsel to keep their thoughts to themselves? http://blasphemy.ie/2010/01/01/athei…hemous-quotes/ __________________ "There is a certain sense in which I would say the universe has a [...]
Pingback by Ireland returns to the Dark Ages - The Moscow Expat Forums — January 3, 2010 @ 2:48 am
Freedom of speech is the most important plank of a democratic society…In a book entitled ” The Tomorrow File”; can’t remember the author,it was an offence to critcise the government of the day punishable by death..we are only that 1 law away from George Orwell’s 1984.
From my home in Australia am giving my support to the campaign to repeal the new law…in my opinion the law is a step along a pathway to a totalitarian form of government
Comment by kevin goggin — January 3, 2010 @ 2:56 am
As a devoutly religious person I believe that the only way to protect one’s soul from the rightful and deserved horrors of God’s punishment in hell is to worship God in all his glory, by abasing oneself before his altar whether that be in a Church, a Mosque,a Synagogue or a Temple of any kind. The blasphemy laws are just and right and all those who blaspheme and take the name of God and his prophets and servants in vain should have their loose bits chopped off. And fined quite a lot too.
Allah is Fucking Great, not to mention the Pope, Ian Paisley, and that cunt Ahern.
Comment by John — January 3, 2010 @ 2:57 am
195
I’ve read the bible too, and far from finding it an inspirational source of truth, it made me feel sick. The main character in this nasty narrative is a complete psychopath; he is immoral, bloodthirsty, arrogant, petulant and totally lacking in integrity. i find it interesting that you, who claim to have studied this book, choose to believe in its veracity. Are you a masochist, or are you talking about a different book?
Comment by Sandy — January 3, 2010 @ 3:00 am
[...] association d’athées est entrée en dissidence contre cette loi, en publiant sur son site internet 25 citations tombant sous le coup de cette loi, et en organisant des conférences au niveau national. Elle [...]
Pingback by Irlande : une loi contre le blasphème voit le jour, des athées entrent en résistance. — January 3, 2010 @ 3:01 am
[...] Re: New blasphemy law in Ireland Here are the 25 Blasphemous Quotes: Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes | blasphemy.ie [...]
Pingback by New blasphemy law in Ireland - Page 2 — January 3, 2010 @ 3:11 am
C’mon is this law for real or is this just a hoax to bring out the anti-religious nut jobs ? I could see the Islamic pig fucks instituting a law like this, but Ireland where there are hundreds of international companies and is the cross-roads of business for Europe and the US ?
Comment by Lug Nut — January 3, 2010 @ 3:14 am
All who have commented here deserve to be prosecuted for blasphemy. Especially those supporting the Floppy Spaghetti Miser. Not one has given due deference to the One True Deity, the Invisible Pink Unicorn(PUBH)May Her Holy Hooves Never Be Shod.
Comment by archiearchive — January 3, 2010 @ 3:27 am
Nice! I am not an Irish and, when I read the news I could not believe this law is for real. Incredible.
Good luck! The phrases are amazing, very well chosen.
Comment by Jaime — January 3, 2010 @ 3:29 am
Holy Crap!
The Blasphemy Law of 2009/10. Hard to believe. And yet, power freaks being what they are, I believe it. So, want to hear something ironic?
As one who considers himself a Christian (half-Irish non-Catholic, USA), I’m praying for you to win on this. You’re on the side of the angels, and all that. Those who stridently push religion down the throats of others are the least spiritual creatures on the planet. True spirituality is peace inside, not force applied to the outside.
Ever notice how a pub that trumpets its wonderful food on signs outside has little to boast of really? I see people like the fancily robed rich guy in the fish-head hat and his minions as doing that. And the people like Ahern pushing “pious” laws to force others to behave in ways they can’t provide sufficient reason to cause them to want to.
“May the Force be with you…” [mentally drawing Reiki symbols to empower your effort and weaken theirs now...]
Comment by Jacobus — January 3, 2010 @ 3:29 am
Religions are not revealed: they are evolved. If a religion were revealed by God, that religion would be perfect in whole and in part, and would be as perfect at the first moment of its revelation as after ten thousand years of practice. There has never been a religion which fulfills those conditions. (I used Robert Blatchford to say this first)
Comment by I Am your God — January 3, 2010 @ 3:33 am
just like history, religion is a subject for manipulation by the current authority.
Comment by gv, indonesia — January 3, 2010 @ 3:33 am
This crime called blasphemy was invented by priests for the purpose of defending doctrines not able to take care of themselves”
-Robert J. Ingersoll
It amazes me that while we are in the middle of finding out just how insidious the Catholic Church really is, Ireland is also passing this nonsense.
Comment by Jeff Satterley — January 3, 2010 @ 3:39 am
You are mostly very stupid people. The blasphemy laws are particularly stupid too, but you lot take the cake. No wonder you don’t understand god, your heads are too far up your smart arses.
Comment by John — January 3, 2010 @ 3:40 am
Those sad religious morons are not going to tell us what to say and what not to say about their pathetic invisible friends.
Comment by Ronald — January 3, 2010 @ 3:49 am
I would have to agree that extremist Muslims helped to push this law through. But I suppose fining people is more peaceful than killing them for 72 virgins. Way to go, religion of peace!
Also, Scientologists were pushing it too, but sadly enough for them, the law doesn’t apply to cult-status organizations. I guess they’re going to have to keep suing for peace.
Comment by Relyt — January 3, 2010 @ 3:57 am
It beggars comprehension that Ireland of all places should be passing a law like this given the utter disrepute into which the Catholic Church has fallen. I think 4 bishops have resigned and more are expected to go. I know a good Irish priest (there are many and I respect them) who does not dare to walk out in his soutane because people now spit at priests in the streets following the revelations of widespread child abuse by the clergy and the cover ups by the church hierarchy. It must be dreadful for him but there is no getting away from the fact that blasphemy of the very worse kind was committed by the perverted hypocritical clergymen who pretended they were devout men of God while gratifying their lust and by those higher up in the hierarchy who covered for them. They should certainly be disgraced, defrocked, tried and if found guilty imprisoned. Churches that practice what they preach (peace and tolerance) have no reason to fear ridicule and insult – didn’t some one say something about turning the other cheek some 2000 years ago?
Comment by Roger Vella Bonavita — January 3, 2010 @ 3:57 am
Well it says a whole heapo about the Irish Parliament really.
A bunch of backward sheep shagging ingrates who such too maby roman catholick cocks to make sense of reality as lived by the normal people ande sheeple of the world.
Have them all hung drawn and quartered then lets start on the priests.
Comment by Mick B — January 3, 2010 @ 3:57 am
It’s hard to see how your campaign is in violation of the new blasphemy law. There is a common thread in the comments that writing something which insults a god or some religious belief is blasphemous- and this would be the case using some traditional definitions of the word. The problem with the crime of blasphemy in the Irish constitution was that there was no legal definition of it. So, the new Irish law defines something to be blasphemous if it is grossly insulting or abusive to matters held sacred to a religion and thereby causes outrage among a substantial number of adherents- you also have to have intended to cause such outrage. There are defences where a reasonable person would find literary, scientific, artistic, political or academic value in the statements.
Most of the comments you cite have already been published in Ireland for a long time (thousands of years in the case of Jesus Christ). They have caused no appreciable outrage in the adherents of any major religion in Ireland, and given the fairly reasonable outlook of most Irish people, are not likely to.
It seems to me that most of the comments would be covered by perhaps several of the defences- eg. the quote by Richard Dawkins could be covered by the scientific, literary and academic defence. Dermot Ahern could probably use the political defence for his remarks.
It is hard to conceive of ’substantial numbers’ of Irish people being ‘outraged’ by any of these comments- especially when you consider the reaction to much more relevant and current issues like the banking crisis or the recent string of child abuse scandals.
I suspect that Dermot Ahern, in full awareness, has done his best to design this law to make sure that blasphemy will *never* be prosecuted- and he has done this without having to run a referendum, which has no political support. A private individual can no longer ’sue’ or ‘bring a charge’ for blasphemy- it must be done by the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions). Given the really serious crimes which the DPP has to deal with- there is very little chance he will waste his time with a blasphemy charge, especially on the basis of such a poorly worded law.
A suggestion for challenging the law would be to set up your own religion and then wait until you are outraged by something. The law does not define a religion and does not define outrage- so that could work either for or against you. Also, the law says that a ’substantial number’ of adherents should be outraged (not a ’substantial fraction’)- again it does not say what a ’substantial number’ is precisely- so good luck with that too (after christians, the next largest religious group in Ireland is muslims with 0.8%, so even if all of them were outraged, a good lawyer could argue that is not a substantial number at all).
I would agree with you that blasphemy laws have no place in Ireland. But I dont believe the politicians intended prosecutions in the way put forward here, and none of the religions in Ireland to my knowledge have called for a blasphemy law. With the exception of Senator Ivana Bacik (who was not elected to the Dail) I also havent heard any politician speak strongly against it (or in favour of it either).
So, I would claim there is hardly any public support for blasphemy laws across the religious and non-religious spectrum, but in reality there is also very little real political support for full secularisation. Ultimately, it is an indictment of our politicians in Ireland that they can waste their time enacting such inane and useless laws.
Comment by jc — January 3, 2010 @ 4:13 am
Thank you for your efforts on bringing this law to the courts. While I am in the US, I see the attacks on free speech in the name of tolerance (what an oxymoron) happening here also. Someone tried to break into the Danish Cartoonist’s house and hurt him this week. What the f! I firmly support any groups right to their religious belief as long as it does not curtail other peoples rights by the rule of law. The law you are facing is worse than people living in Utah under the Mormons.
A great thing to do in your country would be to organize small churches of somewhat unconventional beliefs. Lets say the church of making love to catholic priests. You accept the sacrament and salvation at the time you have sex with a catholic priest. Its like a combination of Nambla, Rashnishi, with a touch of Pastafarianism. All meet together and if perchance the Catholic church says that having sex with priests is bad, we would be outraged. Send that Bishop to jail:)
Sorry, having a little to much fun. Again, thanks for your good work protecting free speech and expression!
Mike
Comment by Mike — January 3, 2010 @ 4:33 am
I guess I won’t be visiting Ireland anytime soon.
Oh yeah, Joseph was a cuckold and Mary got knocked up by a Roman soldier. It sure was a creative story she made up to avoid getting stoned to death by the brutish savages of her age, though.
Comment by Nathan — January 3, 2010 @ 4:39 am
Joe Quinn,
“Seems like a bit of a presumption to me.”
Yeah, I presumed you’d come up with some lame excuse for your bigoted statements. You just did it one better.
Comment by Brian Macker — January 3, 2010 @ 5:04 am
I’ve never heard such hatred in all my life! It seems that the majority of atheists who preach open-mindedness are the most intolerant people I’ve ever heard in my life. I agree that people have committed extreme sins throughout history in the name of their God – but I have never blamed that on GOD! There are hypocrites out there that have ruined people’s idea of God, but God is good, and God is real and there are true Christians who represent God well. I used to be an atheist and suicidal and angry. But God believed in me, and now I believe in God! I’m now filled with the Holy Ghost and baptized in Jesus’ name and am the happiest person I know. I have yet to meet a happy atheist.
Comment by jillian — January 3, 2010 @ 5:06 am
How significant is it that on the day the Blasphemy law came into force, I wrote a long tirade to Bishop Seamus Freeman arguing my point as to why I shouldn’t have to bother going down to see a parish priest to convince him of my intention to formally defect from the catholic church…
My argument stems from my rights under the EU Data Protection Act. I wonder, if it came to it, would I win on one and be freed from bond to the church, and then be slapped by the state for proclaiming my freedom?
Comment by Thom — January 3, 2010 @ 5:17 am
canadians should take note: this is what happens when the right wing wins a majority government. does it sound like much fun?
i feel obliged to contribute.
the existence of any god – benevolent, personal or otherwise – strikes me as a proposition so ludicrous that it has no place in any academic literature, except perhaps when the belief of such a god is written off as one aspect of a time when the earth was flat and dragons roamed the earth. it is an idea that belongs on an equal footing with such outlandish claims as the existence of flying saucers, the lochness monster and the easter bunny.
Comment by dghfkfhjfjka — January 3, 2010 @ 5:18 am
Joe Quinn,
“Hi Brian, your last rant was your claim that I was anti-Irish even though I am Irish.”
I hate to break it to you but you can be Irish of blood and anti-Irish of sentiment. That’s also the point of the phrase “Some of my best friends are X”. There’s nothing that prevents one from being a racist and befriending one of those you find inferior.
You get all righteous about not demeaning others yet you demean both the Irish and atheists in your writings.
Understand this, I have about as much in common with you because we both do not believe in gods as I have in common with you because we both don’t believe in leprechauns. Therefore, when you start making prejudiced comments about what atheists are like you are 1) Not criticizing as an insider, as there is no inside. 2) Trying to stereotype a very diverse group.
Comment by Brian Macker — January 3, 2010 @ 5:26 am
Thank you very much for doing this. I hope (as an American) that Ireland revokes this law and moves into some recent century–any recent century.
Comment by John McCumber — January 3, 2010 @ 5:27 am
This blasphemy law just reinforces the stereotype that Irish men are a bunch of ignorant car bombing quick tempered intolerant alcoholics and that the women are a bunch of uneducated in the kitchen, barefoot, pregnant sluts. Go have a bunch of kids because your pope doesn’t believe in contraception and then expect protestants to help feed them because you’re a poor drunk, but raping little boys is OK. The Catholic Church is stuck in the Middle Ages and it doesn’t surprise me at all that their Irish followers would pass a law that is straight out of the middle ages. Did you come up with this all by yourself or did your precious little pope come up with it? Go ahead and fine me the $25,000 now.
Comment by Gary Niger — January 3, 2010 @ 5:31 am
I’ll tell you what Brian, why don’t I just leave it to my Irish family and friends to decide if I’m anti-Irish. I wish you all the best, but I have nothing more to say to you. Have a nice day.
Comment by Joe Quinn — January 3, 2010 @ 5:35 am
Fight on everyone! Im with you!
“God made me an atheist”
Comment by Clint — January 3, 2010 @ 5:38 am
I believe I cannot be accused of blasphemy as I believe there is no god to blaspheme against.
Comment by Thom — January 3, 2010 @ 5:41 am
I have no problem with people having religous beliefs as long as it is done in the privacy of their homes and does not upset people and get in the way of common sense and/or basic human rights…. which sadly it does.
Religion has always been an instrument of power over the weak-minded, and is often used to encourage and justify deeply immoral behaviour. It should certainly have no place in the running of a civilised society.
Paul Wright
Southampton, England (fequent visitor to Ireland)
Comment by Paul Wright — January 3, 2010 @ 5:52 am
Jillian, (#627)
“I’ve never heard such hatred in all my life!”
Read the bible or the Qur’an.
“It seems that the majority of atheists who preach open-mindedness are the most intolerant people I’ve ever heard in my life.”
Your problem is that you do not understand the meaning of the words open-mindedness, nor tolerance.
“I agree that people have committed extreme sins throughout history in the name of their God – but I have never blamed that on GOD!”
Learn something about your supposedly new found religion. God is one of the greatest mass murderers of all time. He likes to drown little children in world wide floods, and likes to do so personally. In ancient times he also commanded armies of Jews to steal other peoples lands and commit genocide.
Allah is even worse. He did all that plus he commands that such behavior be continue to practiced on every member of the idol worshiping religions.
“There are hypocrites out there that have ruined people’s idea of God, but God is good, and God is real and there are true Christians who represent God well.”
Would one of those hypocrites be Mohammad? Although he calls his god “good” the stuff he puts in Allahs mouth is quite vile.
You say “God is good” yet he murdered all those people according to the bible. He does all sorts of evil things in the Christian bible. How can you justify calling a being good who has set up an eternal torture chamber for those who merely fail to be convinced that he exists, while at the same time hiding from everyone. What an insane game of hide and seek.
“I used to be an atheist and suicidal and angry.”
This statement is totally unbelievable given the rest of your comment. How did you become an atheist? Why were you suicidal and angry? Sounds more like a how some bigoted Christian thinks atheists are. Anger is a normal emotion that is appropriate in certain circumstances, like when someone is trying to take your rights away by law. I don’t know any suicidal atheists. Perhaps your suicidal nature drove you to religion. Christ committed suicide after all. He could have escaped at any time.
“But God believed in me, and now I believe in God! I’m now filled with the Holy Ghost and baptized in Jesus’ name and am the happiest person I know.
I think it more likely you are just a liar.
“I have yet to meet a happy atheist.”
Try something for me. Replace “atheist” with “black”, and “happy” with “intelligent”, and realize how that makes you sound when you say, “I have yet to meet an intelligent black.”
I’ll give you a hint. Other Christians might fall for your baloney story about being a former atheist but not this non-believer. You talk like a life long Christian. A Christian harboring doubts about gods existence does not an atheist make. Christians do get suicidal and depressed when they have such doubts but it’s not the same as being an atheist.
Comment by Brian Macker — January 3, 2010 @ 6:12 am
This law is completely backwards and unfair. Why won’t the true believes leave it up to their various deities to mete out punishment for blasphemy? Free speech harms no one except those that have a vested interest in suppressing the truth.
The examples of blasphemy here are well-chosen. Who has not made many hundreds of comments that were blasphemous to some religion throughout their lives? A declaration that Christianity is the one true religion the only path to Heaven is absolutely blasphemous to several other religions. Every priest, mullah, rabbi, minister or what have you in Ireland could be charged with several counts of blasphemy every week.
And what is to stop them from widely interpreting any works that are merely critical of religion as blasphemous, censoring work such as that of Mark Twain, or retroactively prosecuting atheists?
Please continue fighting. I am not an Irish citizen but you have my support.
Comment by Chris McCue — January 3, 2010 @ 6:17 am
There is only one way to truly find out whether God exists or not, and that is to die… I am in no hurry to do this, so I don’t see why any of us need to waste any time on proving it one way or the other. I commend the fight against this silly law and hope that we all grow up real soon.
Comment by Peter Billing — January 3, 2010 @ 6:52 am
Jesus Mary Mother of God Christ this is a great website. Anything to distract me from drawing an illustration of a Dermot Ahern spitroast between a prophet called Mohammed and the blessed virgin of knock with a strapon. Bang bang bang shoot me or lock me up or fine me your €25,000 or whatever it is. See you in Strasbourg! Dermot Ahern can NEVER be Taoiseach now. Ireland couldn’t be as stupid as he is surely.
Comment by Will O'Connell — January 3, 2010 @ 6:52 am
Hmmmm, what’s next making the women in Ireland wear burkhas?
Comment by Mike Geoghegan — January 3, 2010 @ 7:00 am
While I would call myself an atheist I really do dispair at some of the obsene rants on this site, it says more about the publishers than what they write. OK its fine being a none believer but surely believers in any religion have their rights and can believe in anything they want, there’s no need to rub their noses in it because you disagree with them.
Comment by G Boyd — January 3, 2010 @ 7:02 am
Oh come on and stop this pussyfooting around and publish something *really* blasphemous! Let me start this off:
1, Mohammed (PBUH?) was a schizophrenic who dreamed up this crap about receiving Allah’s message. Now we have to live with this murderous and hateful religion. Discuss.
2. Krishna was a stupid pretentious brat who pretended to be clever. Discuss.
3. Jesus was a sanctimonious and deluded idiot – and people believed him (and still do!)!
I’m afraid that’s my major religious offending done – don’t know enough of the other great swindles….sorry, religions!
–Rajiv (my real name)
Comment by Fuckthisshit — January 3, 2010 @ 7:15 am
In regards to these comments about religion being horrible, it isn’t. Extremism, on the other hand is. Believe what you like, and let others believe what they like. Calling religious people idoits doesn’t make you any more intelligent.
Hope this law gets repealed soon!
Comment by Mina — January 3, 2010 @ 7:19 am
God is dead? Rubbish. How could something be dead that never existed?
Having said that, I see no reason for profanity, insults, or bad language. Such expressions undermine the position of the intelligent atheist. Let us rather realize and appreciate the truth: The glory and wonder of life and everything that exists is that it is all an amazing, fantastic, accident. Wow!
Comment by Mary Hatch — January 3, 2010 @ 7:25 am
I think this page has done a lot to further the cause of atheism. Keep up the good work
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2531009/the_arrogant_atheist_why_i_think_richard.html?cat=9
Comment by joe Quinn — January 3, 2010 @ 8:07 am
Clearly there’s only one thing to do if democracy and justice is to be served: the people should cast their vote on this matter, as soon as possible, once and for all.
Comment by Public — January 3, 2010 @ 8:15 am
If we were on the 1st of April I would have thought that the new law was a good joke, unfortunately it is not. Poor and laughable Ireland. I’d like to quote Samuel Davies :“Intolerance has been the curse of every age and state” And here is what I’ve published on my Facebook page: En Irlande une loi est entrée en vigueur ce 1er janvier qui interdit le blasphème et le punit d’amendes allant jusqu’à 25.000 €. Ce n’est malheureusement pas une blague, nous sommes en 2010 et en Europe…..
Comment by Jaacques Nissenbaum — January 3, 2010 @ 8:24 am
There is but a void and …stuff.
Comment by Naturalism 2010 — January 3, 2010 @ 8:29 am
Hmmmm… once I read a book, called Titan, by Stephen Baxter, where the entire world effectively shuts down. Aristotle’s views on the universe become dogma, it is illegal to say anything else in public, and the Christian, Islamic, Hindu, etc, right take over their respective countries. And then the Chinese blow up Earth with an asteroid because nobody else is looking up, because the stellar spheres are back in place.
I thought it was fiction.
Oh, fuck.
Comment by Lee Grant — January 3, 2010 @ 8:37 am
Hey, more power to Ireland for trying to overthrow tyranny in their own nation. One of the prices of free speech is the right to parody. No one is so holy, so mighty, or so precious that they are above the scorn of others.
Comment by Robert — January 3, 2010 @ 8:59 am
You said my dog is wrong. Well, I say your dog is wrong.
I am going to get you charged for blasphemy, before you can charge me. So there..
Dog, I love stupid laws.
Comment by Bob — January 3, 2010 @ 9:01 am
We human beings must never compromise on freedom, secularism, democracy, human rights and separation between religion and state.
If we do, we are strangling ourselves to death and paving the way to suffering, death and destruction.
Religions are blasphemy against humanity. They all contradict each other proving beyond a shadow of doubt that not all can be true. Not only that but each and every religion is full of contradictions within and in relation to self evident facts. This proves beyond a shadow of doubt that all are false.
It is not only the falsehood of religions that I am concerned with but also their teachings that dehumanize the otherwise decent human beings worldwide. People do evil in the name of their religions only because they are made to think right from their childhood by way of indoctrination that they are doing good.
Yes, all should condemn laws against blasphemy anywhere and everywhere.
Mughal.
Comment by Mughal — January 3, 2010 @ 9:02 am
Im a little confused, you see, sometimes when i pray for something my prayer is answered and i get what i wished for. For exemple, look what happend to Brian Lenihan,(ha ha) so is this god listening to me ? or just a dream come true. So i suggest we can all put this *is there a god thing* to the test. Ok, now all together, close our eyes and pray and see if the same thing can happen to the rest of the Fianna Fail and Green Party.
Comment by jayed — January 3, 2010 @ 9:02 am
“If we remove blasphemy laws then we should also remove laws protecting citizens against GBH. This would be fair.” Yes, Robin, being on the receiving end of a beating and having somebody express an opinion that is contrary to yours are, to all intents and purposes, exactly the same thing. Well spotted. B
Comment by Baz — January 3, 2010 @ 9:10 am
These new laws show the government of Ireland is still existing in the Dark Ages . They have
placed the Republic on an equal level to most Muslim countries which still have the barbaric
laws of ancient times .
Comment by Hywel — January 3, 2010 @ 9:25 am
Now, you’ve been naughty and said a rude word that Mummy and Daddy don’t like. You will be whipped daily and we’re going to take away half your meals for a year until you know why what you did was wrong. It may seem harsh now, but you will be a better person at the end. Just remember, Mummy and Daddy love you very very much…..
Comment by The Happy Atheist — January 3, 2010 @ 9:30 am
Que en el siglo XXI pasen estas cosas es increible. Todo mi apoyo desde España.
Un saludo.
Comment by Ruth — January 3, 2010 @ 9:31 am
Perhaps many athiests are missing a basic point.
God is both alive and well, living in the dreams of the Church.
Blasphemy laws are a mechanisim fron the middle ages that is used by the Church to quell dissent and control the population.
Comment by Patrick Fenlon — January 3, 2010 @ 9:40 am
[...] Ireland a donc décidé de tester leur sévérité. Elle vient de mettre en ligne une liste de 25 citations pouvant être jugées blasphématoires. Des citations qu’elle est notamment allée chercher dans le Nouveau [...]
Pingback by Irlande : loi anti-blasphème ! « Mes coups de coeur — January 3, 2010 @ 9:57 am
Keep on the good fight.
Scientology is a criminal organization, with its believers/brainwashers victims peddling an utterly poor sci-fi story about the supreme roolah Xenu, a story which can not be heard until obscene amounts of money have been paid (but you can watch the Southpark eposide ´trapped in the closet´ for free if you want to see it). It ought to be prosecuted by the Irish government for fraudulent activities, like it has succesfully been in France and Belgium.
So saying this is now illegal, huh. Great move Ireland!
Comment by dutch — January 3, 2010 @ 10:05 am
Good on you guys. With you 100%.
Greg Keyes.
Comment by Greg Keyes — January 3, 2010 @ 10:12 am
[...] Irish Atheists have put up a web page containing 26 blasphemous quotes (at the time of writing, their server was down but Google have a cached copy of the page or [...]
Pingback by Blasphemer! That’ll be €25,000 please « Mosher'sUnimaginativelyEntitledBlog — January 3, 2010 @ 10:18 am
I am very happy, and relieved, to read others are outraged by this law. But I do wonder myself how much of a decoy the blasphemy aspect is and if perhaps the real goal of this law is the sedition aspect! As we enter this winter of discontent with a deeply unpopular government, determined to go the distance, this law seems like a good stick for the government to shake about.
Comment by colin — January 3, 2010 @ 10:26 am
God loves every body including you atheist, give your life to him and you would be at peace with him.
Comment by Jesus the only savior — January 3, 2010 @ 10:31 am
So a lot of people like sport.
Someones religion may be a big football team (pick a name).
Any supporter of another team is obviously blaspheming your religion.
Go to court.
Look really stupid.
I don’t support this legislation. Andy
Comment by Andy — January 3, 2010 @ 10:44 am
The Irish nation, so long the unfortunate victim of humourous ridicule, has just managed to commit podiacide; thus ensuring its continued status as that victim.
Comment by Gabriel Oaks — January 3, 2010 @ 10:45 am
I had a lovely supper and all I said to my wife was that piece of halibut was good enough for Jehovah! Are they going to ban The Life of Brian?
Comment by jon — January 3, 2010 @ 10:47 am
And I get 666 result! Andy
Comment by Andy — January 3, 2010 @ 10:49 am
Having had more time to think about this law, I now believe it should stand. However, in standing, it MUST be testing in a court, too.
Why?
(I am not hereby retracting my prior comment #423, but expanding on it.)
This law actually serves a purpose, if tested. But the testing requires the right play: a plea of guilty. With an accompanying caveat. The accused is guilty because, by definition, every person in Ireland is guilty, as is every visitor to the Emerald Isle.
Every religious belief – and the lack of belief – is blasphemous to every monotheistic religion but itself. That is the definition of monotheism.
What solution, then, but for all religions to be required, by law, to repeal the sin of blasphemy? By maintaining this law, and enforcing it the only way that can work (short of homogeneous belief), religious tolerance is increased.
Blasphemy itself – the very concept thereof – is the crime.
Comment by Rick Yagodich — January 3, 2010 @ 11:06 am
Pensábamos que el “Tribunal De La Santa Inquisición” había desaparecido. Podemos ver que está más extendido que nunca…
“La Religión es el Opio de los Pueblos”.
Comment by Pepe — January 3, 2010 @ 11:18 am
[...] response to this Orwellian feat, a group of Irish atheists have gathered 25 blasphemous quotes to challenge the law, including: 8. Matthias, son of Deuteronomy of Gath, in Monty Python’s Life of Brian, 1979: [...]
Pingback by Irish Atheists Publish 25 Well-Known Blasphemous Quotes To Test Ridiculous New Blasphemy Law (Noscope) — January 3, 2010 @ 11:18 am
Ireland has more important issues to focus on than pandering to residual elements who, despite the tsunami of evidence against them, still expect deference and privilege. Having been trashed by Faith-based Faith, then by Faith-based Finance: It’s time for Ireland to put its’ ‘faith’ in Rationality. This law is step one on a slippery slope of regression and oppression. Bin it.
Comment by AndrewGMooney — January 3, 2010 @ 11:26 am
I object to your blasphemous statements and irreverence for the almighty. I remember the first time I called out to God to help me, and he fulfilled all of his prophecies for me. I whistled for God and when he came near the license plate said fresh and it had dice in the mirror. If anything I can say this God is rare, But I thought ‘Now forget it’ – ‘Yo homes to Bel Air’.
Comment by Brian Peppers — January 3, 2010 @ 11:46 am
I’m a Muslim girl in the U.S.
I read through most of these comments and they were really harsh, like, too harsh. I mean come on, you don’t need to be that extreme. Why are atheists so pushy? I dont give a fuck if you don’t believe in a higher power. That’s great. That’s your choice. It’s great that you’re commenting about this stuff to make a point and be supportive. I’m all for that. You don’t need to go out of your way to offend people . . . for the most part you’re just insulting the people who read these comments, who are probably for the most part supporters of free speech anyway. So not helping.
I hope the people who made this law get their heads out of their asses though, and soon.
Good luck people of Ireland.
Comment by nadia — January 3, 2010 @ 11:57 am
It appears this is the first step to bring back the one true method to keep folks on their knees, the Inquisition.
Ireland man, wow. I hope they realize the 12th century has passed.lol
Comment by Shabaka — January 3, 2010 @ 12:01 pm
It’s great. Keep on with your idea.
Bye from Spain.
Comment by Ignacio — January 3, 2010 @ 12:08 pm
Pontius Pilate was better than the modern day Christians. Lord Bertrand Russel has rightly said,”to become a true Christian you must read ‘The Confessions of St. Augustine’.Do the Pontiffs read it?
Comment by apricot — January 3, 2010 @ 12:13 pm
The sad christians are offended by the naughty words and the insults, with their arrogance built on their ludicorus babylonian belief system. Holy trinity? Virgin birth? look up “Babylonian genesis” on google you stupid, stupid people. Before Jesus there was Mithras, look him up too, stupid christians. Look up Sol Invictus and the true meaning of christmas, you stupid people. You’re nothing but sheep bleating out a message that was old even when they stuck the jew on the stick. Son of god? SUN of god, what do you think the halo is, stupid christians? You are worshipping a strange mutation of sun worship, babylonian mythology, pagan fertility rites and festivals and Italian mind-fuckery written in the thirtenth century. All the information is out there for you to see, stupid christians, but you stay safe behind your faith – it’s OK, you’ll never have to think, never have to research, never have to face the facts. That’s fine. Just don’t turn your obscene, delusional, anti-feminine nonsense into law, keep it to yourselves, shut yourselves in a your dark little rooms and have a nice long chat to your god. And see if he answers.
Comment by Anti-Theist — January 3, 2010 @ 12:15 pm
Excellent stupid law!
I’ve visited Ireland once and I’m not going there again now when this law is enacted.
Comment by nordic — January 3, 2010 @ 12:17 pm
I believe in freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion as well as freedom from religion’s requirements. I try not to insult the belief of others but I also know that anyone who condemns the religion of another is being a bigot and is narrow-minded. In this way, I feel the new blasphemy law in Ireland and the intent to create such a law in the UN is an attempt to abridge the freedom of man in the guise of forcing adherence to religion, and as such I condemn it. – David W, Adelphi, MD 20783
Comment by David W — January 3, 2010 @ 12:20 pm
My Comment Number 429:
———————————
Dear Irish Atheists,
You have published matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by many religions and you have intentionally caused outrage among a substantial number of adherents of those religions.
The Irish Government would be failing in its constitutional duty if it were not to charge you with offences under the new laws of blasphemy.
You should be fined.
Does this help?
Cheers
DO
Comment by David Owen — January 2, 2010 @ 1:48 pm
———————————
….. and a reply at Number 442:
———————————
DEAR MR OWEN…do you believe in fairies?
Comment by sam graham — January 2, 2010 @ 2:24 pm
———————————
Sam,
If you take time to think it through (and most readers sucessfully spotted it)- it is clear that I am an Atheist. What we really need now as the next stage of this campaign is for people to feel insulted and outraged and to start complaining to the democratically elected government of the Republic of Ireland.
Cheers
Comment by David Owen — January 3, 2010 @ 12:24 pm
[...] is a group of people opposing this new law and they have published a bunch of anti-religious quotes online. Let’s see what will happen to them. AKPC_IDS += "2157,"; [...]
Pingback by New Blasphemy Laws In Ireland — January 3, 2010 @ 12:36 pm
One of the most ironic aspects of this nonsense is that the same Act, with regards to defamation, draws a clear distinction between fact and opinion… and then proceeds to include reference to religion. Would anyone else see this as mildly hypocritical?
Conveniently religion is not defined, but section 36(4) states:
“In this section “religion” does not include an organisation or cult—
(a) the principal object of which is the making of profit, or
(b) that employs oppressive psychological manipulation—
(i) of its followers, or
(ii) for the purpose of gaining new followers.”
Of course that doesn’t rule out the Church which could never be viewed . One of the richest organizations in the world, worshipping a dead carpenter who lived 2,000 years ago and which promises all sinners, blasphemers & non-believers an eternity of pain and suffering in the fires of hell.
It’s obvious that this Act can never be enforced. Nobody will ever be fined for stating that god doesn’t exist, religion is nonsensical mumbo-jumbo, or that the Church is a money-making and manipulative control machine. If they tried, all the accused would have to do is whip out a copy of The Bible and demand that the State bans it as a blasphemous publication.
This begs the question of why Dermot Ahern is wasting taxpayers’ money on drafting non-enforceable rubbish? Is this the best use of the minister’s time and my money?
Comment by Gordon — January 3, 2010 @ 12:43 pm
WARNING
PLEASE DELETE REFERENCES TO “PAKIS” (COMMENT 80) AND “LEPRA COON” (COMMNENT 83).
THERE MAY BE OTHER INAPPROPRIATE WORDS IN COMMENTS. THERE SHOULD BE SOME CAREFUL EDITING. DON’T LET A GOOD AND REASONABLE DISCUSSION BE CHEAPENED BY RACIST TERMINOLOGY.
Comment by michael mcguire — January 3, 2010 @ 12:47 pm
When this piece of legislation is knocked down let’s start on the rest of this bullshit disguised as fact. And I mean all of them, Christianilty, Islam, Buddhism, all that Indian religious crap etc etc etc but not necessarily in that order..
Comment by John Bosworth — January 3, 2010 @ 1:04 pm
I find it difficult to accept the fact that there is no God, well so who created the earth. Irish atheist please be on the winning side by accepting this simple and yet greatest fact that God exists.Whether you guys believe it or not there is God, He created this world and he would come and judge you all.Time is running out.
Comment by Jesus the only savior — January 3, 2010 @ 1:05 pm
Congratualtion,
with the support of all the atheists in the world and especially in France
Religion is the worst thing invented by men, far worse than war. it was always at least one end ! Superstition, not.
Comment by jm — January 3, 2010 @ 1:07 pm
[...] copy and paste it, to show your [...]
Pingback by Ireland’s Blasphemy Debacle (aka “Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes”) « Tauriq Moosa – Columns, Op-Eds, Articles and Essays — January 3, 2010 @ 1:11 pm
I feel it in my fingers – I feel it in my toes …..
Comment by herb — January 3, 2010 @ 1:15 pm
how many mosques are there in ireland?
Comment by elizabeth morris — January 3, 2010 @ 1:25 pm
[...] of Ireland back into the howling madness of prehistory we present to you the most excellent 25 blasphemous quotes compiled by the organisation Atheist Ireland following the introduction of a new blasphemy law [...]
Pingback by A Celebration of 25 Blasphemous Quotes « The Hampshire Skeptics Society — January 3, 2010 @ 1:27 pm
Jesus makes me soooooooooooo Horny.
UNGH UNGH UNGH.
Comment by Dudley Grant — January 3, 2010 @ 1:28 pm
Seems the new Irish government law banning blasphemy has had the opposite effect. There is more public blasphemy in Ireland during the first 3 days of 2010 than (I believe) ever before. Maybe I am missing something was this the original plan?
Comment by Jules Roche — January 3, 2010 @ 1:37 pm
Remember Roland Barthes, French writer, who as the first realised that the wine drunk in catholic churches is in reality christ’s urine and the wafers are made from his sperm!
Comment by Carsten — January 3, 2010 @ 1:38 pm
Why do people in Ireland keep voting for these morons? A lot has changed in Ireland in the last 30 years but it is still a priest ridden backward society. Every sporting, charity or state project will still have a druid hauled out for the opening. Blessing football fields and motorways and hospitals is still accepted as normal. Irish schools and hospitals and care facilities are still full of priests in positions of power, and their influence is being funded by the tax payer. Ireland needs to remove religion from its politics before it can advance and it needs to educate its people about politics. The Irish are politically illiterate, why else would they continue to elect thieves and robbers such as Beverly Flynn and Michael Lowery and clearly at the last election there was a sizable group who believed that Bertie Ahern was an honest man. The minds numbs at the thought of people in Galway who could not use the water from their taps in 2007, yet still voted for FF & PD.
Thought kills 99% of all known clerics.
To Dermot Ahern & John Gormley, All religion is bollocks.
Comment by Pat Shaw — January 3, 2010 @ 1:43 pm
I think this link to some blasphemic caricatures should not be absent here
Comment by jo@chim — January 3, 2010 @ 1:48 pm
Looking through the posts, it seems that the new blasphemy law causes outrage to the majority of atheists.
I wonder therefore if the law itself is guilty of blasphemy and will vanish in a puff of logic…
Comment by Fergerino — January 3, 2010 @ 1:55 pm
The introduction of this law just goes to show that there is something missing in all of your lives, God is and always will be a mystery. People believe in him or they don’t. They sense something within them that invokes the spirit and soul. They wake up knowing answers to questions they haven’t pondered before. God is real and alive in all of us. We only have to look in the mirror to see his reflection.
I’m a schizophrenic and have had two psyhcotic episodes, one filled with light and love, the other darkness and despair. I see God in everything that encompassess this world, a true wonder that never ceases to amaze me of its complexity and diversity. The fact is I actually sense something when God is around, I feel him, I can reach out and touch him. This is all purely mental but the fact remains that he is alive and watching. From either standpoint, both sides of the fence could be called delusional, on one side the mere denial of god’s works in progress and the fact that something that can’t be tested simply must not exist.
All of you should look within the heart for your own answers, some people just don’t have this dimensional makeup and lack the added insight. You must realise that there is a reason for you not knowing the answer to the God question. Maybe in this life you are just not ready for this wonderful gift. So, don’t worry, there’s always next time.
Comment by Rambo — January 3, 2010 @ 1:55 pm
It is just another example why religion and faith need to stay out of government. No Logic, No Sense, No Reason, and No Common Sense. You don’t need an imaginary friend telling you how to live a good life and you certainly do not need laws that propagate Dark Ages kind of thinking. All this law is going to do is create more problems. I mean really, how can you preside over a court case like this? It is far to subjective to the viewpoints of the offended. Because I follow the laws of FSM, that would mean that I can call Blasphemy on every word uttered by every other religion because it offends me. And in turn, they can do the same to me. It really is ludicrous. To paraphrase another poster: If your Deity is so offended, let him speak now.
Comment by Chris Perry — January 3, 2010 @ 2:15 pm
If all of these crappy religions are so strong and their believers so believing there should be no way that they could be offended. Atheists especially should be personna non grata as far as they are concerned, merely on this planet to test their faith. Personally I have no religion neither do I consider myself an Atheist, I am just me.
Old law new money spinner, on the other hand enough of these cases could tie up the courts for years and fill the prisons to bursting point, cost a fortune.
Comment by Ian — January 3, 2010 @ 2:16 pm
And the Irish think Americans are ignorant bigots! And who will judge what is blasphemy? A bunch of old, biased, bigoted, bastards? It is laws like this that contribute to the belief that the Irish are a bunch of Catholic sheep. What is next? Can you just imagine what the great poets and literary giants of Ireland’s past would have to say? Ireland take one step closer to Iran – now they are only three letters away.
Comment by Bill — January 3, 2010 @ 2:18 pm
@685:
“WARNING
PLEASE DELETE REFERENCES TO “PAKIS” (COMMENT 80) AND “LEPRA COON” (COMMNENT 83).
THERE MAY BE OTHER INAPPROPRIATE WORDS IN COMMENTS. THERE SHOULD BE SOME CAREFUL EDITING. DON’T LET A GOOD AND REASONABLE DISCUSSION BE CHEAPENED BY RACIST TERMINOLOGY.”
Fair enough: so there’s no free speech then?
What’s the difference between using what you call “Racist terminology” and insulting someone’s dearly-held beliefs?
And what’s the difference between calling a Pakistani a “Paki” and a Briton a “Brit” or an Australian an “Aussie”?
Comment by Paul Leclercq — January 3, 2010 @ 2:19 pm
Mention religion and the nutters are out in force. Just look at this board. Most of the posts appear to be from mentally unbalanced sex obsessed freaks spouting hatred and bile. So you’re atheists. So what. Who cares.
Comment by Peppa Pig — January 3, 2010 @ 2:21 pm
Howdy from Texas!
In support of this worthwhile endeavor, I’ve reposted this in its entirety on my blog for the Houston Chronicle: http://www.chron.com/channel/houstonbelief/commons/anaturalselection.html
Best,
Hux
Comment by Hux — January 3, 2010 @ 2:26 pm
Opinions vary. People who follow no faith find it easy to be insensitive to others that do. I like the law.
Comment by Marty — January 3, 2010 @ 2:29 pm
Fuck all gods, Fuck Jesus, Fuck Mary, Fuck Mohammed, Fuck Krishna, Fuck Moses, Fuck Buddah, Fuck the Catholic Church, Fuck Islam, Fuck every other fucking religion ever fucking invented…and yes even Fuck the fucking Flying fucking Spaghetti Monster. Come and get me Garda…and Fuck the fucking Fianna Fáil for still being medeival fucking peasants.
Comment by Bob Russell — January 3, 2010 @ 2:32 pm
As a Brit who has taken so much crap from irish people both in the UK and here in Australia, I say “serves you right”.
If you can’t think for yourselves and have to rely on an Italian messenger from god for you salvation, you deserve all that you get
Comment by Jim — January 3, 2010 @ 2:32 pm
9. Rev Ian Paisley MEP to the Pope in the European Parliament, 1988: “I denounce you as the Antichrist.” Paisley’s website describes the Antichrist as being “a liar, the true son of the father of lies, the original liar from the beginning… he will imitate Christ, a diabolical imitation, Satan transformed into an angel of light, which will deceive the world.”
just for philosphical correctness: Nietzsche said that the antichrist-behaviour has been the normal behaviour of all christians since the dead of jesus. so i’d say the rev is denouncing someone as a true christ to defend christianity and therefore is denouncing hisself as a blasphemic towards his own religion…
lets talk about madness…
Comment by thomas — January 3, 2010 @ 2:33 pm
[...] New Irish law took effect Monday that prohibits “publishing or uttering matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion” [...]
Pingback by Sunday Links | The Agitator — January 3, 2010 @ 2:35 pm
Jesus loves you but make sure he wears a condom….
Comment by Bob Russell — January 3, 2010 @ 2:37 pm
Mary was a bloody liar, and Joseph the most gullible husband in the history of humanity. The Catholic Church is a morally bankrupt organization of men in dresses who pass their time by killing Africans and protecting pedophiles.
Mohammed was either a liar or mentally ill. Islam is just Judaism rejigged with imperialistic tendencies and added repression. If the Koran and the Bible are inspired by God, then God is a the greatest underachiever in recorded history.
Joseph Smith was a fraud and probably mentally ill, but not as deluded as those who believe his nonsensical fairy tales of golden plates.
Religious belief is a delusion. If the god of the Bible exists, I thoroughly denounce him and suggest he go sodomize himself with a ketchup bottle. To finish, here’s an image of Mohammed:
_ _
o o
U
O
Comment by Sean — January 3, 2010 @ 2:37 pm
I am a Christian who disagrees with this blasphemy law. Of course people should be able to express their views, and insult etc. should be judged from case to case, and the persons are the only beings who can be insulted, not ideas as such. This law will only provoke people with different views to insult each other more, as atheists will feel they are being bullied.
Comment by Michael — January 3, 2010 @ 2:42 pm
[...] religion | Tags: blasphemy, God, religion | No Comments » Atheist Ireland has attacked the Irish Republic’s introduction of a new blasphemy law: From today, 1 January 2010, the new Irish blasphemy law becomes operational, and we begin our [...]
Pingback by Cosmodaddy » Blog Archive » Blasphemy Laws Don’t Belong in the 21st Century — January 3, 2010 @ 2:42 pm
I’ve started this little campaign on Facebook to enlighten people about the cause. Log on, join and invite your friends.
Cheers.
Comment by Robert Redmond — January 3, 2010 @ 2:44 pm
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/426357/89832652
Sorry, bloody thing didn’t work first time, must be God’s way of punishing me.
Comment by Robert Redmond — January 3, 2010 @ 2:45 pm
to be quite honest I think AI’s efforts are a little weak. If they want to really challenge the law they should get down and dirty. Fuck the moral high-ground take the moral gutter.
Comment by David — January 3, 2010 @ 2:53 pm
[...] January 3, 2010 in Religion | Tags: Atheism, Blasphemy, Fail, Free Speech, Freedom, Religion | by The Arbourist One of my first posts was about the silly legislation that was going to codify the insipid notion of blasphemy. Well it happened and an Irish Atheist group is fighting back. [...]
Pingback by When Irish Eyes are Ripped out for Blasphemy « Dead Wild Roses — January 3, 2010 @ 3:00 pm
I believe in God. I also believe that man has a fundamental right to speak whatever truth he has in his heart. Aside from the freedom to choose for one’s self, freedom of speech is probably our most precious allowance. If we stand by and allow others to dictate what we can and cannot say, eventually they will demand from us the right to dictate what we can and cannot believe or do or even think, as it was in the past. Just as the Roman Catholic Church brought about the Dark Ages, Islam seeks to become the 21st Century’s Catholic Church and wage war against the free mind and heart. It seeks to bring about another Dark Age of oppression and suppression to the whims of its masters, the clerics. This we cannot allow.
Comment by Jonathan — January 3, 2010 @ 3:05 pm
[...] in Ireland. It also marked the day when Atheist Ireland published 25 “blasphemous” quotes, in a supposed act of [...]
Pingback by /~colmmacc/ » Holy Orders — January 3, 2010 @ 3:12 pm
This is the Talibanization of Ireland !!
Comment by W — January 3, 2010 @ 3:16 pm
i’m irish. i’m living in china right now. i’ve been watching this since i found out about it, and i have been watching the response of people on this site since 1st of jan. i noticed that the rte news website didn’t even mention this on their site on the first day that this law came into force.
i was brought up as a catholic, but like most of the the rest of you, and all of my friends i’m not religious at all now. so i’m not going to take the piss out of any religion here. but for fuck sake, you fucking wanker cunts in the government, should be disgraced by your stupid draconian law, you have the fucking cheek to tell people what they can and can’t say. our history is full of people who died because of things that they weren’t allowed to say, and because of them we finally got our independence, and now not even a century later, comes this pile of shite that you call a law. well i have only you thing to tell you gentlemen of the government, ireland now only regrets one thing, Ireland regret that your Da didn’t just wank you out on the bed that night you were conceived, instead of nagging your ma almost to death to save his wrist the energy and pain.
liuxiaobo has just sacrificed 11 years of his live for freedom of speech over here.
sort out what fucking century you’re living in, then tell the people who vote for you first next time
dan
Comment by 但 — January 3, 2010 @ 3:26 pm
For once in my life, I’m glad I’m Northern Irish. Though the Roman Catholic Carcrash has a pretty tight chokehold in parts here…
Comment by Aife — January 3, 2010 @ 3:27 pm
Is the new blasphemy “law” passed by the Neanderthals in Leinster House designed to protect
the Roman Catholic Church of Paedophilia from criticism, as well as giving precedence to
the Homopithecines over Homo sapiens??
Comment by Prometheus — January 3, 2010 @ 3:27 pm
So fun
Comment by Antoine — January 3, 2010 @ 3:30 pm
Congratulations and commendations to Ireland for passing this law. Intelligent people realize that religion SHOULD be protected in a modern and secular society, because it is so precious to most people and it always will be. If we are going to protect homosexuals, then we should protect religious folks too.
Comment by DivineLightSound — January 3, 2010 @ 3:35 pm
Good for you!
Comment by Kevin Safford — January 3, 2010 @ 3:38 pm
The so-called Force was done with wires and CGI.
Any Oirish Jedis wanna come get me? Bring it on, you’re all such girlie pussies you might as well be called Elvis.
Comment by MarinaRufusfolk — January 3, 2010 @ 3:39 pm
In one sick legislative act, the Irish peop;e have diminished their palace on the scale of civilized folk by five increments,
If you voted any of the turds who enacted this law into office, your shame taints your family. Both your acestors and all future generations yet to be. What a pity that this law protects you from being told: GO TO HELL
Comment by Oddzball — January 3, 2010 @ 3:40 pm
I think this one is as good as half the 25 quotes…
“Jesus He Knows Me” –Gensesis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugZq9hiuCJo
Comment by Joshua Simeon Narins — January 3, 2010 @ 3:40 pm
It’s funny that this stupid, ridiculous Blasphemy Law has come in. I was against it from the outset. I hate Fianna Fáil and especially Dermot Ahern, the stupid, ignorant pig (wait that’s an insult to pigs) who decided to conjure this great idea. Well I say to him and everyone else who supports blasphemy law, fuck you, fuck your non-existant god, religion is complete bullshit. It’s funny the government thinks blasphemy is more important than giving proper justice to all those paedophilic priests! Also, as a gay person the government still haven’t brought in Civil Partnership yet which is denying any form of legal protection to same-sex couples, yet they’ve managed to bring in a blasphemy law within a couple of months???
Daniel Howard
Comment by Daniel Howard — January 3, 2010 @ 3:44 pm
¡ feliz año amigos de Irlanda ¡ Los principales blasfemadores son los mismos creyentes. Por ejemplo, aqui en Venezuela, el cardenal Urosa Savino en su homilia navideña denuncio a la Santeria como una religion falsa y de doctrinas malvadas. ¡ Eso es blasfemia ¡ Ochun, Obatala, Yemanya, Elegua y todos los orichas deben estar arrechos ¡
Comment by chivosaurio — January 3, 2010 @ 3:44 pm
@708:
“If you can’t think for yourselves and have to rely on an Italian messenger from god ….”
I believe it’s a German lad. Oops, at least something I believe. ;/
Comment by jacques — January 3, 2010 @ 3:57 pm
The blasphemy laws seem misguided because they infringe upon a person’s rights to freedom of speech. Rights, (of course) imply morality, and morality does not make sense without a God whose nature informs our verdict of “right” and “wrong”. The blasphemy laws are wrong because God exists. If God does not exist, nothing is right or wrong per se, (least of all blasphemy laws), and the laws are merely inconvenient for their opponents.
Comment by Stephen — January 3, 2010 @ 4:00 pm
[...] better way to start than with the very important declaration made by Atheist Ireland on 2 January. An essay was posted on http://www.blasphemy.ie by Michael Nugent, [...]
Pingback by Uncategorised: The Blasphemy Articles « Run Into Thunder — January 3, 2010 @ 4:05 pm
This is indeed a crazy law and should be broken as often as possible to show the idiots who agree with it how ineffective it is.
Comment by truthisfree — January 3, 2010 @ 4:10 pm
[...] of that religion. The law carries a a 25,000 Euro fine and permits some defenses. The website blasphemy.ie declares it “both silly and dangerous.” It is silly because medieval religious laws [...]
Pingback by Taking the Lord’s name in Ireland : Contrarian — January 3, 2010 @ 4:15 pm
Here in Italy we’ve got the enclave of the Vatican and all political parties nudge and scramble to ingratiate themselves, pope Nazinger makes the (political) difference by indicating who is the more “pious”. So, I don’t think our government will be supportive. One of our constitunal articles (our constitution is considered one the best) states that we have free religion in a free state. But as the Romans said: Laws have to be interpreted. That is the point.
Gianni
Comment by gianni — January 3, 2010 @ 4:17 pm
Jesus saves the little children… for his clergy.
Comment by OrganGrinder — January 3, 2010 @ 4:20 pm
some people complained about us calling names to the delusional and their lunacies, I want to remind to all of you that this is a place to practice blasphemy , don’t like it ? go and spend more time on your knees, like slaves, asking an in-existent, invisible nothingness created by ignorants in their likeness, to win the lottery , or burn some body. “of all the plagues with which mankind are cursed, eclesiastic tyranny is the worst” Daniel Defoe “me thinks sometime I have no more wit than a christian..” Shakespear
Comment by carpe diem — January 3, 2010 @ 4:22 pm
meant Shakespeare..
Comment by carpe diem — January 3, 2010 @ 4:23 pm
From the act
(2) For the purposes of this section, a person publishes or utters blasphemous matter if—
(a) he or she publishes or utters matter that is 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, and
(b) he or she intends, by the publication or utterance of the matter concerned, to cause such outrage.
(3) It shall be a defence to proceedings for an offence under this section for the defendant to prove that a reasonable person would find genuine literary, artistic, political, scientific, or academic value in the matter to which the offence relates.
So if you say something that may cause outrage – e.g. Mary and Jesus were married, then that would be considered blasphemous and outrageous. However a reasonable person would find academic value in such an argument.
So to be blasphemous, it would have to be outrageous to a religion and no reasonable person could find an value in the argument.
Comment by Robin — January 3, 2010 @ 4:30 pm
Everything in life was, is and will be evolution and coincidental.
Comment by TROUTER FROM BELGIUM — January 3, 2010 @ 4:52 pm
I’m an atheist but unlike the majority of you fuckwits i’m not opposed to other people having faith or believing in god. Why does it rattle you so much? I thought that perhaps these laws were abit OTT but seeing some of the comments on here has (for me) confirmed that perhaps these laws should be put in place to stop pricks like you spouting stupid nonsense about soemthing that you shouldn’t really have an opinion on anyway.
Comment by Susan Boyle's Mole — January 3, 2010 @ 4:58 pm
699 “The introduction of this law just goes to show that there is something missing in all of your lives”
Really, upon what basis do you make this ascertion?
You know this for certain because?
Well, actually perhaps there was something missing on New Year’s Day. But now with this law there isn’t.
I’d missed have such a damn good laugh in ages and due to this law and the subsequent comments on this website I haven’t stopped laughing since.
So thank everybody for providing such a laugh and thank your government for starting this all.
If only it wasn’t a laughing matter in Eire!
- you have my support!
Comment by Calum McDonald — January 3, 2010 @ 5:00 pm
Is Atheism Ireland a non-Prophet organisation?
Comment by Colin Watts — January 3, 2010 @ 5:04 pm
God is fiction, a creation of ancient man, and only fools (Christians, Jews, Muslims, et. al.) believe otherwise. There is no invisible sky fairy. Live your life now – you only have one.
Comment by Art Kristol — January 3, 2010 @ 5:25 pm
@Martin
“and the fool said in his heart: there is no god” The wise say it out loud! Blasphemy! Blasphe-you! Blas-fer-everyone!
I like the idea, mentioned above, of compiling a list of one blasphemous statement geared to each of the top 20 religious beliefs (To be fair there should also be one to offend the irreligious/Atheists – though I don’t really know how you blaspheme a belief that’s by nature rather open to criticism… and religious congregations criticize Atheist beliefs every day anyway, we’re so used to it!)
Comment by Steven Molteno — January 3, 2010 @ 5:35 pm
Thank you for putting this site up. What a joke our government is. Shame on them. A shame for our country.
Comment by Ivan — January 3, 2010 @ 5:36 pm
[...] http://blasphemy.ie/2010/01/01/atheist-ireland-publishes-25-blasphemous-quotes/ [...]
Pingback by Atheist Ireland Takes a Pop at Irish “Blasphemy” Law « Jeff Peel's Diary — January 3, 2010 @ 5:50 pm
Old ones….jesus died for his sins, not mine….want that tee shirt with Jesus flying towards a ball that says, ‘Jesus Saves’…..
Shame about this law, talk about strangle a generation of free thinkers. Quickest way to bring out the haters.
Are any of the religions worth a mention? No. All corrupt. English by the way, will say what I like when I like. No disrespect to anyone here but the day I give up speaking my mind is the day I stop breathing. Ireland, get a grip, all you are proving is how scared you are of your own people.
Comment by Amanda Luxton — January 3, 2010 @ 5:55 pm
Just pissed myself laughing at the great comments above. The humour could only come from free thinkers.
But it’s amazing to see that there are still a lot of fuckwits out there in 2010. No doubt there will be a few less by 2011.
Comment by John Bosworth — January 3, 2010 @ 5:59 pm
Hmmmm….maybe we should consult an authoritative source before jumping on this new legislation:
The God FAQ would seem to suit our purposes: http://www.400monkeys.com/God/
There she be…..jump away!
My wife and I were planning a 3 week trip to Ireland soon….but since this would likely cost me €25,000, I think we’ll spend our vacation monies somewhere rational people inhabit the country. ’nuff said.
As for the morons that passed this law, they are YAFIGOMPs, in my estimation (Google it).
Comment by Andrzej — January 3, 2010 @ 6:03 pm
It is high time we all reacted against the threat of letting ourselves be more and more under ideological surveillance, as is alas more and more the case in European countries. It is high time we had the courage and the spine of telling a spade a spade and naming the ones – whoever they are – who are all too eager to benefit from the ‘tolerance’ they conveniently find in our democratic societies to spread THEIR real and unbearable intolerance for other values than their own, and promote integrism and obscurantism. Let’s revert religion to where it should always have been, once and for all : to anyone’s sole and private concern. Congratulations for your action.
Comment by Jihn — January 3, 2010 @ 6:16 pm
[...] lista delle 25 citazioni blasfeme curate da blasphemy.ie, come autori di affermazioni blasfeme figurano anche Gesù Cristo (due volte), Maometto, e [...]
Pingback by due colonne taglio basso » Blog Archive » ortodossie irlandesi (e fondamentalismi comuni) — January 3, 2010 @ 6:17 pm
I believe in not paying taxes. Join my religion and dare the Office of the Revenue Commissioners to commit blasphemy.
Comment by Scriveyn — January 3, 2010 @ 6:24 pm
So much hatred will do you harm, that’s the second reason why I’d never be an atheist.
Comment by Manolo — January 3, 2010 @ 6:31 pm
Congratulations. Warm loves from Bangladesh.
Comment by Agni — January 3, 2010 @ 6:32 pm
I find it funny that religious people try to protect themselves against criticism by enacting a secular law. Is that not in itself an act of blasphemy, in that they do not trust their respective deity to judge over the critics? In the same sense I consider a lightning rod on a church a blasphemy.
Comment by fsm — January 3, 2010 @ 6:35 pm
“From the act
(2) For the purposes of this section, a person publishes or utters blasphemous matter if—
(a) he or she publishes or utters matter that is 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”
So, how do they propose to prosecute based on the essentially undefined term ‘substantial’. Without a quantifiable definition how can citizens be assured that they have not transgressed that part of the legislation.
For example, being prosecuted for speeding is based on exceeding a clearly defined speed limit and not an opinion of ‘driving too fast’.
Furthermore how do they propose to demonstrate that a “substantial number of the adherents” have been outraged? Do they proposed to undertake a census of those declared to be an “adherent” having already undertaken an accurate contemporary count of the total number of “adherents”.
Obviously this census will have to (and without prejudice) ensure that the “substantial number of the adherents” have been outraged and not merely annoyed, insulted or abused.
Perhaps they will just use the ‘ducking stool’ from the proposed “Witchcraft and Burning at the Stake Act”?
Comment by Gabriel Oaks — January 3, 2010 @ 6:50 pm
The Invisible Pink Unicorn cannot grind theists beneath Her Holy Hooves because the filthy beast has slipper foot!
The above statement is illegal in Ireland.
Comment by wb4 — January 3, 2010 @ 6:53 pm
[...] As part of their campaign, Atheist Ireland has published 25 blasphemous quotes on their site, here. [...]
Pingback by Irish blasphemy law « Humanist Association of Ottawa — January 3, 2010 @ 7:05 pm
religion is just a matrix in which the masses have not woken up from. Am i going to hell or online?
Comment by Eugene — January 3, 2010 @ 7:10 pm
[...] 2006 [Seanad] (No.43 of 2006) – Tithe an Oireachtais ***** Here are the 25 Blasphemous Quotes: Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes | blasphemy.ie 25 Blasphemous Quotations ***** History of Irish Blasphemy Law [...]
Pingback by Irish atheists challenge blasphemy law! - Political Wrinkles — January 3, 2010 @ 7:13 pm
[...] might like this Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes | blasphemy.ie It was published as a challenge to the blasphemy law. Fair play to them. Maybe it's because I'm [...]
Pingback by Blasphemy laws - Religious Education Forum — January 3, 2010 @ 7:36 pm
If you think the blasphemy law is an intrusion – which it is is – wait until we have virtual strip-search scanners in all our airports for men, women and children
http://www.daylife.com/photo/02zI1i39CJ2ZS
What a coup for Al Q!
Comment by Simon Baddeley — January 3, 2010 @ 7:38 pm
OH gOD! How James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney must be turning in their graves.
Comment by GARY in the California — January 3, 2010 @ 7:40 pm
Wow! The lot of ya really want to test the theory, don’t ‘cha. (woops! a Palin-ism)
I wouldn’t worry too much about it, and here’s the reason why……
HELL EXPLAINED BY CHEMISTRY STUDENT
The following is an actual question given on University of Washington chemistry mid-term. The answer by one student was so “profound” that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet, which is, of course, why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well:
Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat)?
Most of the students, excepting the one who responded below, wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle’s Law (gas cools when it expands and heats when it is compressed) or some variant.
”First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know the rate at which souls are moving into Hell and the rate at which they are leaving.
I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving.
As for how many souls are entering Hell, let’s look at the different religions that exist in the world today. Most of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell. Since there is more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell. With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially.
Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle’s Law states that in
order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added.
This gives two possibilities:
1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the
temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.
2. If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over.
So which is it?
If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa during my Freshman year that, “It will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you,” and take into account the fact that I slept with her last night, then number two must be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and has already frozen over.
The corollary of this theory is that since Hell has frozen over, it follows that it is not accepting any more souls and is therefore, extinct….. leaving only Heaven, thereby proving the existence of a divine being which explains why, last night, Teresa kept shouting:
“Oh-my-God-oh-my-God-oh-my-God…!”
THIS STUDENT RECEIVED THE ONLY “A”
————————————————————————————————————-
I’d love to hear your comments, dinkidau@yahoo.com
Comment by Vlewis Peartree — January 3, 2010 @ 7:49 pm
\o/
Comment by Klazu — January 3, 2010 @ 8:00 pm
Haha nice post but I have to say Bjork’s coment about buddhism seems to have been stemmed from ignorance, Buddhists onl address animal’s as lesser beings because they do not have the same oppurtunities as us in a spiritual sense, as in its hard for a slug to be a good or bad slug, they dont mean lesser as in unequal like she aparently thinks.
Comment by Scott — January 3, 2010 @ 8:24 pm
As a Brit who is entitled to apply for an Irish Passport, I was seriously considering enacting this right, in view of the Totalitarian State that is being constructed in the UK, and thought I might retire to ROI in a few years’ time.
The Irish fought for, and won, their freedom, and I saw them as a people who wouldn’t be pushed around, who might take to the streets in the face of an impending dictatorship.
But then we had the re-run of the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, and they were conned into assent from their previous defiance.
Now this abomination. The Catholic Church, promoter and protector of child-abusing wierdos, proves that it still controls the State.
I was brought up indoctrinated into this creepy religion. I still recall my terror, as a sensitive 7-year-old, when our class was told (by an Irish female teacher, coincidentally – at St. Joseph’s RC infants’ school, Pontefract Road, Castleford, W. Yorkshire, for the record) about a girl who had gone to communion without first going to confession, and had little black ‘devils’ crawling all over her body.
What kind of thing is that to frighten young children with?
I find that, at 56, I am still purging this insidious corruption from my being. It’s a kind of mental defecation.
Comment by PJMcNeill — January 3, 2010 @ 8:35 pm
You know there was a time when I was proud of our little country, but then that was also when I knew fuck all about it. When will we grow up?
Comment by Keith — January 3, 2010 @ 8:49 pm
We at The Church of the Simply Divine are a very fundamental religion. That is to say we revere the Great Spiritual Fundament: our one and only one tenet. We believe – okay, let’s be perfectly accurate, we KNOW – you can only approach Divinity through a Same-Sex Mindset.
And so it followeth, as the Night the Day, that every homosexual IS AT BIRTH a Member and a Minister in our church – whether they like it or not – and anything and everything that queer does with regard to his/her sexuality is a bona fide religious act!
Well, you can imagine that we are THRILLED by the Irish Parliament’s decision to return to the good old days of punishing blasphemy. Given our ONE tenet, we obviously consider BLASPHEMOUS TO THE EXTREME any statements made by anyone disparaging gays or lesbians (bisexuals, however, *can* be disparaged, but only half the time and only with regard to their damnable heterosexual urges).
We are in the process of informing the Irish Government that we expect FULL AND IMMEDIATE ENFORCEMENT from them regarding blasphemies against our one and only sacred tenet. As we have only ONE tenet, it will naturally make enforcement of blasphemies against us far simpler to process than those of other religions which have very long and sometimes quite unintelligible lists of possible blasphemies.
Comment by Dr. Grabham Young — January 3, 2010 @ 8:53 pm
Just so you know, SecularProLife.org supports this effort! A threat to anyone’s free speech is a threat to EVERYONE’s free speech. Although I live in the United States, I wish you all the best in this campaign.
http://secularprolife.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=286
Comment by Kelsey — January 3, 2010 @ 9:49 pm
[...] esta linea de pensamiento, los ateos de Irlanda publicaron (en inglés) un listado de 25 frases que podrían ser condenadas por esta ley. El detalle es que [...]
Pingback by Red de Blogs Ateos » Derecho a blasfemar — January 3, 2010 @ 9:58 pm
Why is it that those who can’t control their chimp-brains always seem to bully into submission those who CAN think for themselves, using whatever over-the-top means they can find? What are they afraid of – that rational folk might actually convert them to Reason? Are they THAT insecure in their ‘faith’?
Great work Atheist Ireland. Thanks for fighting this ridiculous law.
Comment by Kate Haggman — January 3, 2010 @ 10:00 pm
In a secular state that promotes freedom of speech and freedom of worship, it is possible to believe and talk about your truth. In a religious state with a blasphemy law, it is not. Which state has the greater capacity for love?
Comment by Arlo — January 3, 2010 @ 10:09 pm
The human race will reach its full potential once all religions are outlawed. Religion promote fear and hate towards other religions/people. This new law should be used against all religious leaders. Just bring historical records for proof of their numerous crime against humanity. Another point that is often overlooked is that most bibles are very blasphemous.
Comment by Eldon — January 3, 2010 @ 10:18 pm
Have we returned to the Dark Ages? Add my name to the list of folk who see this new law as an absolutely stupid idea. If George Carlin was still with us, he could be the poster boy for the retraction of this idiotic legislation.
Comment by KJ — January 3, 2010 @ 10:35 pm
Awesome! I remembered another. Bill Hicks on Christianity: eternal suffering for those who doubt God’s infinite love.
Comment by Filipe Castro — January 3, 2010 @ 10:47 pm
[...] into affect. The Guardian newspaper reported on the activist group Atheist Ireland publishing 25 blasphemous quotes on the blasphemy.ie website including 2 quotes from Jesus Himself which could be perceived to be [...]
Pingback by Why I oppose the Irish Blasphemy law. – A day in the life of Gareth Peoples — January 3, 2010 @ 11:07 pm
I for one am elated at the passing of this vital piece of legislaion into law. I am in fact in the process of litigating a number of offenders who repeatedly blaspheme against my own sacred beliefs.
Be warned all those who perform the blasphemous act of refusing to lampoon lions when in public will find themselves coming under heavy legal fire from my legal team of tabby cats!!
YOU HAVE BEE WARNED!!!!!!
Comment by High Priest Rowan Van Embden of the Holy Church of Lion Lampooners — January 3, 2010 @ 11:22 pm
[...] people who believe something slightly different. Irish Atheists are protesting against the law by publishing 25 blasphemous quotes (although they’d probably have a defence under subsection 3 above) – but it’s [...]
Pingback by Blasphemer vs blasphemer « An Onymous Lefty — January 3, 2010 @ 11:22 pm
Great selection … keep fighting … support from a Croat currently living in the USA …
Comment by Marijan Bandic — January 3, 2010 @ 11:23 pm
I for one am elated at the passing of this vital piece of legislaion into law. I am in fact in the process of litigating a number of offenders who repeatedly blaspheme against my own sacred beliefs.
Be warned all those who perform the blasphemous act of refusing to lampoon lions when in public will find themselves coming under heavy legal fire from my legal team of tabby cats!!
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED HEATHENS!!!!!!
Comment by High Priest Rowan Van Embden of the Holy Church of Lion Lampooners — January 3, 2010 @ 11:27 pm
[...] group Atheist Ireland immediately launched a campaign website, blasphemy.ie, where they published 25 blasphemous quotes in defiance of the [...]
Pingback by Atheists in Ireland? « An Irishgirl abroad — January 4, 2010 @ 12:11 am
Q:Why is it that those who can’t control their chimp-brains always seem to bully into submission those who CAN think for themselves, using whatever over-the-top means they can find? What are they afraid of – that rational folk might actually convert them to Reason? Are they THAT insecure in their ‘faith’?
A: No religion has ever been enforced as zealously atheism was by the USSR, and still is by China and Vietnam (among others). The law is a mistake. But it cannot be wrong unless a God exists whose nature determines right and wrong. If God does not exist, there is no right or wrong, only differing preferences.
Comment by Stephen — January 4, 2010 @ 12:13 am
This recent decision by the irish government to implement this new blasphemy law, is an absolute disgrace, which i think will soon become a national embarrassment. The reasoning behind this decision is particularly baffling, do the authors and supporters of this law, who i assume are the followers or claim to be the followers of some form of christianity, now all of a sudden believe that islam and judaism (we will just discuss the three monotheisms to begin with) demand equal respect as that of christianity. The very definition of christianity is that it is the one and only solution to all human problems, so clearly this new law is more to do with ‘political correctness’ than the belief of its authors. You don’t see the iranian or saudi arabian government granting equal respect to other religions bar their own. Now that its been established that the basis for this law is political and not theological, we must ask why is it being passed??
Being a staunch anti-theist, i believe that all religions are different versions of the same untruth, but what about my feelings as a secular humanist? its ok for religious folk to condemn me to hell for not believing in their desert scripture, but i cant laugh at the fact that they think that noah built an ark aged 500, or that a lump of dry bread suddenly turns into the body christ after a quick blessing from a repressed and ignorant priest. NO this is the very definition of unfreedom. we are either a secular society or we are not.
Free speech, freedom of enquiry and free press are far more important that the right of religious people not to have their feelings hurt. we are surrendering what is most precious in our society if we don’t oppose this law. This must be opposed! Religion makes fantastic claims for itself and now we are told that these are claims we can’t openly challenge- this is the very definition of totalitarianism!
Comment by Ciaran Kelly — January 4, 2010 @ 12:14 am
This is such bullshit. I am going to continue to criticise religion, regardless of this ridiculous law. It’s a fucking joke.
Comment by Niamh Kelly — January 4, 2010 @ 12:14 am
I love being a difficult cunt as much as the next man but Michael…. Really? The law is only there to cover a loophole from there being a constitutional point but not a legal one. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/05/08/ireland_blashpemy/
Would you sooner that millions of euros be spent having a referendum so that we can remove it from the constitution or do you think the money would be better spent?
Back in your box now.
Comment by Seriously? — January 4, 2010 @ 12:36 am
Dear oh dear…. an ‘backwoods’ nation, driven by the Vatican for the last two thousand years, is now trying to become more Taliban-like than Pakistan or Afghanistan, never mind Saudi Arabia and all the other godforsaken retard nations of the world.
But Eire was ever thus, and only the kindness of neo-liberalism and a bucket of fools gold from the EU managed to drag it, partially, and ever-so-briefly, into the ‘modern day’.
This is worth protesting about, but frankly, all aspects of all religions need examining forensically.
What about the joke of a constitution in Eire?
When it is patently obvious that the Vatican is a criminal organisation, given all the buggery and rape that it supported for years in Eire and elsewhere in the world, along with the state as its ever present partner, protector and willing accomplice, I hope the few intelligent people that must live somewhere in Eire stand up and rid this pretend nation-state of all religious privilege.
Send your Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, priests and other gang members on a one-way trip to the Vatican. This criminal blot is, after all, a nation-state with a place at the UN. Send them back their unwanted citizens and free your nation.
Never mind any imagined war with the English.
Your war is with the endemic wilful ignorance and the welded link between your state and the Vatican church.
Declare war on the Pope.
In the meantime, have a look at the Truth.
This song explains why bees do not have a place in Heaven, and should help your campaign because it is bound to upset your buggering priests: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9bMi4s_yOE
Bishop Rick
Devils Ridge
Paradise Ohio
Comment by Bishop Rick — January 4, 2010 @ 12:43 am
I’d like to examine one of the dissenting posts – No. 590 from John MacCullough
“wow – the venom on this site! Such an irrational response from a supposedly rational movement.”
I think the venom and irrationality (although there is much good, rational debate here too) is perfectly understandable. Many people who have had religion drummed into them when young, who have been frightened by the threats that religion uses to keep people in line, once they have freed themselves of its tyranny wish to demonstrate their antagonism towards the belief structure which deformed their earlier life. There is a lot of anger there, possibly still some fear, and it is unsurprising that it evinces itself in this way. There are others (and this includes me) who are so angry, depressed and incredulous at what they consider to be the pernicious rubbish that people are persuaded to believe and the harm it does, that they want to attack these bastions of unreason with one of the weapons which (witness this stupid law) seems peculiarly to damage them, namely ridicule and insult. The religious are remarkably bad at turning the other cheek.
“Atheism has no answers and leaves one very ‘cold’ in this life.”
How does he know that atheism leaves one very cold? Has he tried it? I rather doubt it. Well, I feel very warm. Warm towards my fellow human beings, towards all other creatures and towards the planet on which I live.
He then goes on to pose several questions for which, apparently, atheism has no answers. Atheism is a dreadful term. Why should I be defined by reference to theists? I call myself a free-thinker. As a free-thinker I look to science and the rationalistic approach to provide answers to the questions posed by our environment and, I have to say, that the answers provided by this method seem infinitely superior to the offerings of the witch doctors of religion. Evolution or creationism? Is there even a contest? But all religion desperately resists and fights against every scientific advance. Sometimes it can do nothing but grudgingly accept – as with the Copernican solar system – but it then digs its heels in a little further down the line to fight its next battle against science and reason. Is it surprising we get a bit hot under the collar with it.
“1. What caused the universe?”
We are getting ever nearer to discovering exactly HOW the universe began and possibly what began it. With results from the Hadron Collider we will be back to milliseconds after the Big Bang. If began = cause then we can answer the first question.
“If there is no cause for its existence, why does it exist?”
The idea that the universe has a purpose (why?) is an anthropomorhic, teleological question. Why should it have a purpose? Just because man believes all his actions to have a purpose it doesn’t follow that other events should have a purpose.
“2. How can atheism affirm the reality of ‘evil’ without any absolutes?”
This is an incoherent question. For a start, “atheism” is not a belief structure with rules and a morality, it is merely the refusal to accept supernatural explanations for natural phenomena. A free-thinker (see above) determines his/her own morality. “Evil” is very much a religious concept and suggests a congenital disposition within an individual to vile anti-social acts. A free-thinker is unlikely to accept or use this kind of concept. This doesn’t mean that free-thinkers don’t have a morality. On the contrary, all my atheist friends tend to have what I consider to be a strong moral outlook on life.
“3. What is the basis for morality? How can atheism call racism & genocide ‘bad’ without a moral code?”
Again, he’s talking about atheism as though it was a set of beliefs. As I said above, each free-thinker will determine his/her own moral code. Everybody has some sort of moral code. The Mafia – good Catholics all – appear to have a very strong moral code which not only includes loving and protecting their family but the freedom to murder and torture their enemies. The Inquisition – very good Catholics all – had a similar moral code. If you asked me what my moral code was based on I would probably say something like “To be honest, generous and thoughtful and to behave in a way that does not harm or distress others and which generally enables mankind to thrive and flourish in peace and harmony” – or some such. Most atheists I know have a moral code which the religious would recognise as “good”.
So I can very definitely condemn racism and genocide as deeply inimical to the peace and harmony of mankind and therefore my own moral code.
“4. What is the basis for meaning? If no purpose to life, why do atheists live as if they had meaning?”
If by “purpose” he means some end to which a life is tending, there is no purpose in life. There is, in common with all other animals, a drive to survive, to procreate, to care for one’s young. I don’t know what he means by “meaning”. I don’t live as if I have “meaning”. I think. I read. I write. I work. I associate with others. I enjoy life. Some people say their purpose is to leave the world a better place than when they were born. That sounds ok to me but I don’t have a purpose. I think that’s anthropomorphism again.
“5. What is the basis for truth?”
Something is true if it is the case.
“How can one know if Atheism is true for everyone?”
I think most people would be much happier if they jettisoned whatever hotchpotch of ridiculous beliefs their religion expected them to hold. Some people might not have the strength of mind to accept that we’re here because we’re here because we’re her and that when we die, we die and that’s it for us. The only way most of us will live on is in the memories of a few others and some photographs.
“6. What is the basis for reason? Why be rational if the universe is the result of irrational chance? Should we trust one’s reason if the result of such irrational processes?” **scary**
Gosh, what is reason? Try this. Reason is the ability to arrive at a conclusion from a set of premises using rigorous methods of argument. Not perfect but the best I can do off the top of my head. It is also incremental in that its conclusions can become premises of further reasoning.
“Irrational chance” is an irrational concept. Chance is, of its nature, neither rational or irrational. Why be rational? Because it works.
I find it very interesting that the poster, no doubt a religious person, i.e. someone who is prepared to believe all kinds of irrational things (e.g. wine = blood, wafer = flesh, JC rose from the dead) has the temerity to attack atheists as irrational.
That “**scary**” is very informative. Says a great deal about the poster.
“Why not just end one’s existence if atheism is true? If no absolutes, spiritual ‘realm’, etc. All that remains is non existence after death. Why choose to ’suffer’ on earth when blissful non-existence would be much better?”
Perfect summation of the barrenness and stupidity of religion. Why on earth would I want to end my life? I like my life and I love my family. “All that remains is non-existence after death” !!??!!??!! ALL THAT REMAINS?!?!? I have a million and one things to do, to think about. I have family and friends to love, care for and enjoy. I have books to read, discussions to have, games to play. I have food and drink which are wonderful.
And, dear me, thank god I am not religious if his final question is really how he views his own life. What a miserable bloody existence it must be as a believer! “Why choose to ’suffer’ on earth?” he asks. And of course that’s what the bloody church tells them. Life is suffering before, on death, flying to god’s right hand. “Blissful non-existence” he calls it. Is that how he sees his one and only life?
Listen, John, having read your post, I feel a compassion for you, infinitely greater than your dear Jesus. You poor sad bugger! I can make you ten times happier today if you will only follow me. Throw away your religion’s crutches and blindfolds. Stop ’suffering’ now! There is no bloody afterlife but this one is worth living.
Comment by Michael Green — January 4, 2010 @ 12:46 am
Religious beliefs irrational. Having these irrational people write laws is absurd.
Hope Ireland survives these leaders.
PLS
Comment by Paulo Laureano — January 4, 2010 @ 1:04 am
if god exixted why hasn’t it revealed itself. Is it too busy appearing in its fisrt coming or even second coming on the thousands upon thousand planets That must contain basic life. Or is that only human life that did god create, other animal life apparently does not count or should there be a hag for dogs and a pilgrimage for cats. How can any god exist except to control man and money. Stupid backward law created to protect the irish state from a mohamed slagging article that could appear in an irish publication and cost the government millions in protecting free speaking individuals. Why protectg someone when you can prosecutge them.
Comment by lorcán byrne — January 4, 2010 @ 1:17 am
Ooh, blasphemy. How delightful!
The Virgin Mary was not impregnated by miraculous circumstance – god just stuck the tip in a little and blew it.
Comment by Bill C. — January 4, 2010 @ 1:25 am
I shit on god, yahweh, mohammed, buddah and all the other imaginary fairies and especially those filthy fianna fail swine who could pass another law to help their friends in the rc church of pederasty. Fuck your god and that which is done in his name.
Comment by godisawhore — January 4, 2010 @ 1:30 am
I will lead with stating that I am a Catholic and I find this law to reprehensible. If I can’t handle someone ragging on my chosen religion – perhaps I have bigger issues to worry about . . . Free speech is free speech with no limitations in regards to that speech. Religion gets no special pass.
Here is a thought for those of you that live in Ireland. Could not being an atheist in some abstract way be considered a religious practice? The denying of a deity and all that it encompasses? If that is the case, would not any *other* religion that does subscribe to the existence of a deity be found blasphemous and offensive to you? Fight fire with fire.
Good luck and God bless (I just *had* too!)
Spence – Minneapolis, MN
Comment by Spence — January 4, 2010 @ 1:38 am
I guess Ray Stevens should stay out of Ireland until this law is repealed.
Singing “Would Jesus Wear A Rolex” is now a crime.
Comment by Frank — January 4, 2010 @ 2:13 am
We all believe in something, even if it’s nothing. Taking such pleasure in ridiculing others beliefs, no matter how absurd, is as childish and unseemly as passing absurd laws. Theists and atheists are two sides of the same coin. Neither know anything and can’t wait to tell others all about it.
Comment by Sam, son of Tom — January 4, 2010 @ 3:25 am
nonsense legislation
Comment by sean — January 4, 2010 @ 3:26 am
As I used to mutter under our breath when forced to go to mass (until my 13th Year when I rebelled) Fuck God and Jesus, shit on his sacraments, Satan is my master. (Yeah, I know Satan doesn’t exist either. Just thought it would annoy people more)
Comment by Baz — January 4, 2010 @ 3:30 am
Mexican tourist deciding his next vacation based in the dangers of the laws of the country: Ireland or Afghanistan? it is probably safer to be an atheist prostitute in Afghanistan…
Comment by Alejandro Lozano — January 4, 2010 @ 3:36 am
“Blasphemy is a victimless crime.”
– popularly attributed to Richard Dawkins.
Comment by Matt — January 4, 2010 @ 3:43 am
“Sticks and stones may brake my bones but words will never hurt me.”,thus goes the refrain, but this doesn’t disuade bullies. When sectarian self interest overrides Civil Law, civic descent is muzzled and civic creativity stifled.
A member of any sect who accepts the dogma of that sect is subject to its rules.
The more inflexible the sect’s rules the more miserable the life of it’s member
Comment by Paul J Meyer — January 4, 2010 @ 4:02 am
beGorrah and beJaysus – as if the Irish haven’t already got enough jokes about them (with new ones coming thanks to their ‘economic miracle’…
Fuck’s sake, Ireland… just rise up against the feckers and be done… you stupid sods took it up the pooper from the Poms for too long: seems you’ve really and truly become a pack of submissive peasants.
(I write this from Straya – and of course our tax parasites are trying to stifle free expression with their silly internet filter).
Actually – sepeaking of Mickisms.. there was one mick who once said osmething that has applicability in the modern age… it was Arnaud-Amaury, papal legate, in 1209 at Beziers…
“CAEDITE EOS.”
Comment by GT — January 4, 2010 @ 4:49 am
religion is evil
mohammad was a paedophile (he screwed a 12 year old girl)
its all bollocks, and its about time atheists got to have a say!
Comment by johannes — January 4, 2010 @ 5:01 am
As my first contribution, I submit these images of the mass-murdering, child molesting false prophet called Mohammed. These includes artwork by great artists and images created by allah worshippers before they got the memo about such images being blasphemous, but there are also some cheap-shot, very poor-taste insults of Mohammed.
]
http://zombietime.com/mohammed_image_archive/
Comment by Banalana — January 4, 2010 @ 5:02 am
My dear strugglers,
Kick arse as your wonderful Irishman, Mickey MacConnell has said to me.
Now I live in Australia but are from the Nga Pui people in New Zealand. While the Treaty of Waitangi was signed by 11 of the 13 tribes in our tribal homeland with the English. We didn’t, we didn’t trust them, how right we where! We are still at war. Before the Treaty we were beating them in our war with them, then they convinced us that they were ‘christians’ so we relaxed for a rest on a Sunday. They slaughtered many of our warriors by cannon fire, grape shot, while we sat. Pretty close to blasphemy don’t you think?
Our understandings of the planet and our place in it are based in reality. I will keep it simple for you good people who struggle in a more complex environment. We have no ‘God’s’ , their was Rangi and Papa. Papa is the Mother Earth, Rangi the Father Sky. The fucking was perpetual, as we were born we emerged into a dank dark place, no light at all! What to do? We set fire to Papa’s hair and drove them apart. Now we have not only light but Papa’s pubic hairs have become our forrests, Rangi’s tears our rain, Papa’s sobs our mist. Of course we must fuck to stay alive, to carry on. Is this blasphemy?
Here, in Australia, I have been taught by Aboriginal Elders who have taught me my place in the many diverse environments in this huge continent which they have tended for 60 thousand years. Magic!! But to speak to the white men, they too have to weave the white myths into the reality, that’s OK. But they still don’t comprehend, the country is close to had it! My major elder set the carriculum for Aboriginal Studies at the University in South Australia but he couldn’t teach it because he didn’t have that White piece of paper. I guess thousands of years of knowledge is blasphemy.
How so? You Irish have a long, long history. Must it be abandonded to the Roman Catholic Church? Or any other cult unrelated to your environment?
I feel that is the blasphemy, let those who ignore the history of Ireland’s ecology and her children be tried for that crime.
Good fighting, Cliff.
Comment by Cliff Kelsall — January 4, 2010 @ 5:15 am
What, no mention of Pat Condell?
“Hi, I’m Pat Condell. I don’t respect your beliefs, and I don’t care if you’re offended. Cheers.”
Possibly the funniest and sharpest blasphemer in the UK today.
Comment by Rony — January 4, 2010 @ 5:22 am
Cudos to Ireland for standing up for what is right and joining the ranks of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the Sudan in leading the fight against blasphemers, heathens, idolators, pagans, apostates and the sacrilegious. Hopefully they will extend the law soon to witches, warlocks, werewolves, vampires and the other profane creatures that threaten those of us who are pure of spirit.
Comment by xenoc — January 4, 2010 @ 5:38 am
As a Bible believing Christian I am also against the blasphemy law. Any one who knows anything about the New Testament should know that the idea of a Christian Government is a contradiction. Christianity is self government. The natural man cannot be subject to the laws of God. He has not the power to say no to sin. I know this to be true, because it was true of me for thirty-four years. However I still hold onto the hope that people of any faith or non faith can learn manners and tact to treat others as fellow human beings made in the image of God. This does not mean that you may not disagree or even voice these disagreements. Can we all just behave like civilized people. All the profanity makes most on this post seem childish and impudent.
Comment by shawn — January 4, 2010 @ 6:04 am
[...] Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes [...]
Pingback by Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes (A Fine House adds 3) « A Fine House — January 4, 2010 @ 7:16 am
The stupidity of irish politicians never ceases to amaze me – they are an insult to a nation of highly-educated and naturally intelligent people!
Comment by Flora — January 4, 2010 @ 7:39 am
This law is prone to attract more non- muslims to Ireland so they can blasphame other religions and convert ireland
Comment by H.j.d'cruz — January 4, 2010 @ 7:48 am
As a Yank of Irish heritage, who has traveled a bit in Ireland over the years, and is a bit familiar with some of the traditions of Irish humor, I have to ask:
Is Dermot Ahern a Kerryman?
–Terence Geoghegan
Comment by Brujo Feo — January 4, 2010 @ 8:00 am
From South Park
The Most Offensive Song Ever lyrics
Howdy-ho!
Virgin Mary was sleeping when Angel Gabriel appeared
He said you are to be the Virgin Mother. But
Mary thought that was weird
Mary said, “I’m not a virgin, I blew a guy last year.
But then Gabriel said to Mary my child have no fear
Oh, you can suck all the dick you want,
And still be a virgin, Mary!
You can suck any dick you want,
And still not be considered flawed.
Although you went to town and sucked some semen down,
You’re still a virgin in the eyes of God.
There’s was no room at the inn when Mary and Joseph did arrive
But they were so very tired you see
And Mary had to offer a bribe
Since she had no money
How would she pay for a place to sleep?
Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her not to weep.
Cause you can suck all the dick you want,
And still be a virgin, Mary!
You can suck all the dick you want,
And still be the Mother of Christ
If there’s no room at the inn, then it’s not considered a sin
To suck some dick to get a room for the night.
Then three wise men did appear, bearing gifts of myrrh and such
They said that they had followed a star and missed a woman’s touch
Mary thought she might pleasure them, but could not take them to bed
But again, Gabriel appeared to her and this what he said:
You can suck all the dick you want,
And still be a virgin, Mary!
You can suck any dick you want,
Every one that hangs in the nation.
Fellatio ain’t no sin. Go on and blow those Three Wise Men,
And you’ll still be a virgin
’cause there was no penetration.
So, you can suck all the dick you want
And still be a virgin, Mary!
The donkey and the ox and the lambs
And even the little drummer boy
Folks will remember your name quick
They’ll say “Damn, that bitch could suck a good dick!”
Cause sucking dick
Brings peace on Earth and Joy!!
Cause sucking dick
Brings peace on Earth and Joy!!
Mary, Mary, suck that dick.
Comment by Mister Hanky — January 4, 2010 @ 8:44 am
As a believer, I think this law is stupid. If your faith cannot withstand criticism, then it can’t be valid.
James Joyce, one of Ireland’s greatest writers would be banned for sure, as would brendan behan, so does this law mean book burnings or the persecution of authors and musicians?
Define Obscene? Is it obscene to say that evolution is real and creation theory isn’t (which is what I believe). Thus science also takes a dip. We cannot say anything scientific that might possibly be obscene to an obscure religion. What about Nazi’s. Will this law protect their beliefs…..so if it’s obscene not to be obscene to another race, then the obscenity law would apply…..it just cannot be applied to situations like that. Thus it’s a useless law.
What if I declare that I am a druid and I find it obscene not to be allowed to have a human sacrifice of a virgin on the summer solstice. Does that mean that the law must allow me to sacrifice someone?
What a load of bullcrap. I say lets start harassing physically those who enforce this law and it’ll disappear pretty quick.
Comment by Donald Murray — January 4, 2010 @ 9:09 am
Is it obscene to say that a priest commited rape?
Comment by Donald Murray — January 4, 2010 @ 9:11 am
[...] in it. More seriously, much of the coverage revolves around the publication by Atheist Ireland of 25 potentially blasphemous quotations in the hope of provoking a prosecution; and they’ve opened an online petition to challenge [...]
Pingback by cearta.ie » Blasphemous rumours and constitutional amendments — January 4, 2010 @ 10:08 am
OMFG .. this law is against what???
And we send soldiers to fight the Taliban? LOL .. this are just the same stupid thoughts ..
Politicans all over the world are the most stupid people of the univers …
greetings from germany ..
Comment by treknor — January 4, 2010 @ 10:15 am
All together now – CHILL!
I live in Ireland and I don’t expect a SWAT team to be at my door with a battering ram the next time I drop a saucepan on my foot and let out a stream of expletives.
All this law goes to show is that we have far too many politicians with far too much time on their hands. We’d be better served with fewer of these idiots spending more time on legislation to prevent the economic mess we are in from happening again.
Take the chill tablets everyone.
Comment by Patrick — January 4, 2010 @ 10:18 am
Father Ted: There he is so. Risen from the dead. Like that fella… ET
Bishop Facks: So, Father. Do you ever have any doubts about the religious life? Is your faith ever tested? Anything you would be worried about? Any doubts you’ve been having about any aspects of belief? Anything like that?
Father Dougal: Well, you know the way God made us all, right? And he’s looking down at us from heaven and everything?
Bishop Facks: Uh-huh.
[nods]
Father Dougal: And then his son came down and saved everyone and all that?
Bishop Facks: Yes.
Father Dougal: And when we die we’re all going to go to heaven?
Bishop Facks: Yes. What about it?
Father Dougal: Well, that’s the bit I have trouble with
Father Ted: That’s the great thing about Catholicism – it’s very vague and no-one knows what its really all about
Father Ted: It’s not as if everyone’s going to go off and join some mad religious cult just because we go off for a picnic for a couple of hours.
Father Dougal: God, Ted, I heard about those cults. Everyone dressing in black and saying our Lord’s gonna come back and judge us all!
Father Ted: No… No, Dougal, that’s us. That’s Catholicism.
Father Ted: Those Protestants, up to no good as usual.
Father Ted: It’s fabulous being a priest – think of all that comfort you bring to the sick and dying. They love it, they can’t get enough of it!
Father Ted: The way I feel now I could convert gays!
Comment by Ben Saigon — January 4, 2010 @ 10:40 am
What a crazy idea! You are a major propagator of beliefs about the way we came to be and the way we should live. You advertise these opinions VERY loudly – and yet you say you are offended if someone else makes fun of them? If the public arena is not to be restricted to the most powerful only, then people who go public must expect responses, even withering ones, as part of the deal. If I know someone who has a quiet, private belief, with no bad moral consequences, of course it would be offensive and nasty if I mocked it and spoiled it for them. Religion has ensured it’s a very public thing, and thus a different kettle of fish entirely.
C Davis
Comment by Colin Davis — January 4, 2010 @ 10:47 am
Having read all the submissions to date I am appalled at the lack if logic in many of the entries.
The Creator ( God if you wish) gave us a brain to use and the logic to make your own judgments and not be told by someone else, so that makes the legislation an insult to our intelligence and should be opposed (as I am sure my Irish ancestors would have)
If you care to believe and trust in someone, go no further than yourself and live by your own standards and allow others to do lokewise
I guess that makes me a Pantheist, not an Atheist, but who cares, we are all human beings, when all is said and done
May the “Force” be with you
………No!! not the Gardia
Comment by Doc Rice, (Australia) — January 4, 2010 @ 10:48 am
This is a truly appalling piece of legislation, produced by an appalling minister , Dermot Ahern , in an appalling government . One would imagine that ,with the economy in tatters , and the population being robbed to keep the keep the banks , the government and their cronies afloat , Ahern would have better things to do . !
Comment by Patrick Niall O'Driscoll — January 4, 2010 @ 11:04 am
[...] [...]
Pingback by SloppyNoodle.com » Irish Atheists Challenge Nation’s New Blasphemy Law — January 4, 2010 @ 11:47 am
No Taliban, no Vatican. We really need to support a secular struggle for a secular world. 20 years ago, when Berlin Wall collapsed, we used to hear about the “horrors” of the 20th century, in other words the “horrors” of a godless society. Well, 20 years later we can see the “horrors” of fundamentalism. Think about it, I don’t feel nostalgia per Ceausescu, but it’s time to stop religious crimes, it’s time to stop kneeling down in front of every native of foreign “sacred text”. We must decide our destiny! And terrorism is not a liberation struggle, it’s just the way to another Midde Age. Al Qaeda and Christian Bible fundamentalists are just deluding the poor, they will not bring any social revolution, any real progress the world needs.
Comment by Paolo Zeriali, Italy — January 4, 2010 @ 12:01 pm
Two points of information for those outside Ireland:
1. Although small in number, atheists are the largest single grouping after Catholics in Ireland according to the 2006 Irish Census – Figures:
total 4,239,848. Catholics 3,681,444; ‘No Religion’ 186,318; Church of Ireland 125,585; Presbyterian 23,546; Methodist 12,160; Jewish 1,930; Other 138,541.
I would bet many of those listed as Catholics’ are ‘cultural Catholics’ rather than true believers. I would also bet that far fewer will list themselves as Catholic after the recent child abuse revelations…
2. The legislation is generally thought to be unworkable – probably deliberately so. It is a bizarre piece of window dressing, although I don’t know to what purpose – perhaps to take our attention away from corrupt bakers and incompetent and greedy politicians. Nobody is likely to get arrested for making anti religious statements. The Catholic Church is by now used to insults. Most of my generation in Ireland(1970s feminist) would have been arrested for the things we said about Catholicism back then. If anybody takes offense, it will probably be Muslims. I am, of course, an atheist – third generation Irish variety.
Did anybody quote another Irishman, George Bernard Shaw,who defined theology as ‘ a subject in search of an object’ ?
Comment by j morrissey — January 4, 2010 @ 12:13 pm
Well done, keep up the good work and fight the good fight, this law is utterly stupid.
Comment by Francis Foley — January 4, 2010 @ 12:21 pm
I wonder if they consider it offensive to point out when a child is being raped by a priest. Maybe we should shut up about it?
Comment by jose — January 4, 2010 @ 12:23 pm
Just another reminder to particularly the lapsed Irish Catholics about http://www.countmeout.ie/.
I should stress that I have no personal interest in this site, other that that fine site is one of the friends of a message board I do have an interest in.
BTW, if the religious want to defend their positions, they are most welcome to do so at http://www.secularcafe.org/index.php under what we like to think a reasonable moderation regime.
The secular are welcome too, of course.
David B
Comment by David B — January 4, 2010 @ 12:51 pm
Guiness is disgusting turgid slop made by fermenting cowshit. There, that’s the biggest religion in Ireland insulted.
As Heinlein said “Most God’s have the manners and morals of a spoiled five year old”.
I’m planning to visit Ireland later this year, I think I’ll print up a few leaflets before I come over…
Comment by John — January 4, 2010 @ 1:08 pm
I don’t exist so go ahead and say what you like.
Comment by Jesus — January 4, 2010 @ 1:33 pm
Oh yes you do exist! Can’t you remember anything? Idiot son.
Comment by God — January 4, 2010 @ 1:35 pm
My favourite is the one by the pope.
I am all for fairness between religion, but if this rule really was being taken seriously, there would be a whole lot of people working for the Irish government and media that should be fined. And we all know that won’t happen.
This whole thing really represents how the Irish government is a complete joke. We need a new system, one that we can trust and that is based on new thought.
Thanks for making this website!
Comment by Ursula — January 4, 2010 @ 1:51 pm
[...] if other people find those ideas to be outrageous. Therefore AI published 25 blasphemous quotes here, one or two of which contain rude words. Personally, I am appalled. This is just a repression of [...]
Pingback by Irish Anti-blasphemy law - HEXUS.community discussion forums — January 4, 2010 @ 1:56 pm
Our goverment really suck ass.
God is a made up concept to try control people.
The catholic church is an evil empire that uses “god” as an excuse to do as it wants, like harm children (in numourous ways) and then hide the perpetrators of such crimes from the law of the land.
This new blasphemy law just shows the church in Ireland still has too much control over the goverment.
All employees of the catholic church (priests, bishops etc) should be sent to jail till they die as those who did/do not abuse children helped those that did so avoid prosecution, and continue to abuse children, which is the same (or worse) than me helping somebody get away with murder. I would be held resposible if I did that so why shouldn’t employees of the catholic church.
And yes I consider the catholic church a business (or empire) not a religion as it just exists to make money and keep the senior employees rich.
I think to have this law revoked an atheist “religion” should be set up in Ireland and under this religion anyone that states that god exists offends our religion and therefore the churches cannot hold religious ceremonies that state that god does exist without offending our “religion”
Comment by Brian — January 4, 2010 @ 2:18 pm
What a fine defence of freedom of speech these comments are. A few more expletives and this law is bound to be repealed. Excellent work.
Comment by Cassandra — January 4, 2010 @ 2:18 pm
Just to add my own bit of blasphemy…
“My Imaginary Friend” by Reel Big Fish
I couldn’t do it
So I asked for a helping hand
To get me through it
But I guess it wasn’t in your plan
Or maybe you were
Just too busy to make time for me
I always put you first
Expected me to figure out things
But they all kept getting worse
When I think about the way you let me down
I wonder if I’m supposed to count on you
How could you ignore me?
My imaginary friend didn’t come through in the end
So now I have to find a real one
Didn’t answer when I called
Well I guess it’s just because
He was never there at all
I can’t believe it
Now that I’m looking back
Why didn’t I see it
Well I guess I didn’t even ask
While you were never
Ever in the places I would go
You never showed yourself
All those heart-felt conversations
Were with me and no one else
When I called your name
You never answered am I insane?
If you saw my suffering
How could you ignore me?
My imaginary friend didn’t come through in the end
So now I have to find a real one
Didn’t answer when I called
Well I guess it’s just because
He was never there at all
It’s not hard to let him go
I don’t know know why I ever loved him so
Maybe there is something wrong with me
I don’t see what they see
Used to fold my hands and close my eyes
And think that you were with me
Now there’s something wrong
It doesn’t seem to make much sense
I just feel so stupid now
How could I believe it?
My imaginary friend didn’t come through in the end
So now I have to find a real one
Didn’t answer when I called
Well I guess it’s just because
He was never there at all
My imaginary friend wooh-yeah (Now I have to find a real one)
Didn’t come through in the end wooh-no (Cause’ he was never there at all)
He was never there at all
Comment by Aiden — January 4, 2010 @ 2:29 pm
[...] January: Ireland promulgates new anti-blasphemy law, and Atheist Ireland publishes a list of 25 blasphemous quotes, from Life of Brian to Pope Benedict XVI, in [...]
Pingback by Errant European » Blog Archive » It’s 2010, and “Blasphemy” returns to Europe — January 4, 2010 @ 2:31 pm
Well done! Fight this crap! Best of luck from Norway.
Comment by Erik — January 4, 2010 @ 2:31 pm
I think that this letter writer from Fri 01 May 2009 has hit the nail on the cross! A desparate “Ireland Inc.” concocting a
farcical law to tick the boxes for Arab investors in places like Dubai.
“Madam, – Is it too cynical of me to wonder about a connection between attempts by Dermot Ahern to introduce a crime of blasphemous libel, and the Tánaiste’s trip to the Persian Gulf to drum up investment? – Yours, etc,”
[http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/letters/2009/0501/1224245758535.html]
Comment by Liam — January 4, 2010 @ 2:43 pm
506 – wtf?
Comment by KS — January 4, 2010 @ 2:54 pm
Reading through these comments, it’s obvious that freedom of speech is not always a good thing. Although, of course, it does allow the idiots to expose themselves, making them easier to identify.
)
Anyway: as a polytheist, I’m actually very much in favour of a secular state, as is the case in my homeland, the Netherlands. Although I could find favour for a law forbidding people to try and enforce their views on religion on other people. That way, the evangelical theists and the evangelical atheists would have to leave me a alone. What a blessing that would be!
Comment by Radish — January 4, 2010 @ 3:05 pm
RANDAL: Which did you like better: Jedi or The Empire Strikes Back?
DANTE: (exasperated) Empire.
RANDAL: Blasphemy.
DANTE: Empire had the better ending: Luke gets his hand cut off, and finds out Vader’s his father; Han gets frozen and taken away by Boba Fett. It ends on such a down note. And that’s life-a series of down endings. All Jedi had was a bunch of Muppets.
Comment by Jim — January 4, 2010 @ 3:40 pm
Poor freedom.
Pierre from France.
Comment by yoya971 — January 4, 2010 @ 4:15 pm
this is an outrage to be honest, bravo for publish these. i am based in northern ireland and strongly athiest. i am not judgemental in any way, but i like having the right to speak freely of my personal belief. religion should not factor into politics. simple
Comment by Ronan Campbell — January 4, 2010 @ 4:18 pm
A ridiculous law that, it seems, even the politicians can’t come to grips with! Full support to your campaign in getting this repealed!!!
GG
Comment by GG — January 4, 2010 @ 4:24 pm
Thanks so much for doing this. Great idea.
Comment by athinkingman — January 4, 2010 @ 4:34 pm
Allah is a homosexual.
Comment by Jesus Christ — January 4, 2010 @ 5:10 pm
Dála an scéil, ós in Éirinn atá sibh, tá Gaeilgeoirí ann freisin a smaoiníonn go bhfuil an dlí seo go dona, agus thar a bheith amaideach:
http://nimill.blogspot.com/2010/01/blaisfeim.html
Comment by Dennis — January 4, 2010 @ 5:17 pm
I am, for the first time in my life, actually ashamed to be Irish. 20 years of progress has been destroyed in a day; how much more can they get utterly wrong?! Full support to this campaign, as nothing but open opposition can redeem this.
P.S. What will happen to Father Ted?!
Comment by Tycho Block — January 4, 2010 @ 5:25 pm
Like many other commentators I could mention the omissions but 25 quotes are quite enough to be taken to court and be given the opportunity to show how stupid and ill-thought through this law is. Thanks Atheist Ireland and the best of luck in your campaign.
Comment by Ross W Sargent — January 4, 2010 @ 5:32 pm
[...] Para demostrar lo estúpido de la ley, los ateos irlandeses han publicado en su web veinticinco citas blasfemas de individuos como Jesús, Mahoma y Benedicto XVI -cada uno de los cuales ha blasfemado contra [...]
Pingback by Blasfemar es un derecho, no un delito: ¡apoya a los ateos irlandeses! — January 4, 2010 @ 5:38 pm
Best of luck in the campaign, this law is utterly stupid.
Comment by Francis Foley — January 4, 2010 @ 5:44 pm
to 792 michael green beautiful post, “the fool says in his heart – there is god-” ; the best line ever uttered by a delusional “we’ve been attacked by the intelligent and well educated segment of our society” rev. ray mummert (from “kitzmiller vs. dover school board”)
Comment by carpe diem — January 4, 2010 @ 5:57 pm
If there are any catholics left in irland, after the years of evil things they do to little boys and girls, then they should be so ashamed they should go out after prests and kill, kill, kill, prests and bishops ,till they are cleansed of there shame.
Comment by andy — January 4, 2010 @ 5:59 pm
@ tychno block.. What fuckin progress? your church and leaders are and have allways been self serving cunts just like the Arabs Brits and Yanks.
Comment by andy — January 4, 2010 @ 6:09 pm
Yay Irish blasphemers!
Such weak and pathetic gods and prophets who cannot take free speech must be eradicated from the face of the noosphere.
Comment by Emanuel Landeholm — January 4, 2010 @ 6:38 pm
Only God can suspend the laws of physics.
9/11 proved He exists,
And apparently prefers being called Allah.
Comment by Old Uncle Dave — January 4, 2010 @ 6:59 pm
@ andy
Firstly they’re not MY church, lets get that straight! And yes there has been progress, homosexuals not being prosecuted by law comes to mind. A seperation of church and government has (or at least HAD) begun, although is still far from complete.
Secondly, you’re generalised comments on both the church and whole nations of people do nothing but futher strengthen opinions that such a law is necessary. That kind of ignorance is why I oppose this law!
And as regards your notion of catholics killing priests and bishops, this is nothing more than militant fundamentalism worthy of ANY religious “Arab” or “Yank”. Way to be a hypocrite.
Comment by Tycho Block — January 4, 2010 @ 7:01 pm
The only thing that I believe is that when god is your co-pilot, change seats.
Other then that I have no use for any religion especially ones where pedophiles run free. That good old Roman Catholic Church, those guys are quite a bunch.
Comment by Nameless 1 — January 4, 2010 @ 7:26 pm
praise jesus!
Comment by Ko-duB — January 4, 2010 @ 8:00 pm
[...] http://blasphemy.ie/2010/01/01/atheist-ireland-publishes-25-blasphemous-quotes/ [...]
Pingback by Irland på väg tillbaka till medeltiden. « Verkligheten — January 4, 2010 @ 8:01 pm
Here’s one for my Irish ancestors:
Oh mighty, gory, fearsome, hairy,
is my friend, imaginary!
So surely do I oft proclaim him
Since only I may dare to name him!
Of creation he is sure the maker
according to my local fakir.
Popes and priests and mullah’s hoary
make real good money with his story
If you fail to flee like a frightened colt,
he’ll zap you with a lightning bolt.
He’ll bring you an untimely end
my fierce imaginary friend!
He’ll keep you in your lowly station
if you’ll just adopt my hallucination
and bow your chin down on your locket,
while my favored cleric picks your pocket.
Step Forward! I will light the way
to your very own auto da fe!
My Pastor’s bringing in the sheaves
to burn you like September leaves.
What’s this, you say? You’ll not attend?!
And displease my imaginary friend!
What makes you think yourself above it?
Who are you to tell us “shove it?”
Genethesarotticathyew
One Eleventeen verse two
declares that all who do not harken
to my shaman’s fearsome barkin’,
will sit atop a spiked pole
around a fiery hellish hole.
Don’t you see this age of reason
is only but a passing season?
Enlightenment is oversold.
Blind faith’s what matters we are told.
We’ll soon show you just what we’ll do
to infidels and folks like you
So hold still while we slip your brains
into these rusty irons and chains.
And know at last that divine grace
means hold your tongue and know your place.
Comment by Scott — January 4, 2010 @ 8:02 pm
[...] blasphemy law” that has been imposed on the people of Ireland, by posting a list of 25 Blasphemous Quotations, with excerpts from Jesus, George Carlin, and Tim Minchin. Should the Irish government enforce its [...]
Pingback by Epic FAIL for Free-Speech in Ireland « Worlds As Myth — January 4, 2010 @ 9:07 pm
I wish you the best in defying the blasphemy law. It is ridiculous in this day and age that we are still having to fight such battles. While people should be respected, their views and opinions should not necessarily be protected from ridicule. Religionistas are perfectly free to say abusive things about atheism if they wish ( sticks and stones …) and I reserve the right to to denounce belief in God ( whoever that thing is supose to be) as superstitious and dangerous nonsense and make fun of the “skyman” in any way I choose. Keep up the good work.
Bunc
( an Atheist from Scotland )
Comment by Bunc — January 4, 2010 @ 9:34 pm
Aahhh, it is good to see that not only Australia is bringing back fascism and the middle ages, but Ireland is doing it too! We’ve got a Senator who, due to his limited understanding of technology and child pornography, intends to filter our Internet connectivity in a similar way to that being done in China – very similar – no-one will be able to know which sites are filtered and why.
And Ireland brings back Laws from the Dark Ages. I wonder when the Irish will be burning witches and forcing blacks into slavery? Will they reintroduce a law whereby a person must walk in front of a car waving a flag? What else is on the cards?
Limiting a Human Right to express religion (or lack of religion, in the case of Atheism) should not be allowed. Personally, as an Atheist, I have no issue with someone who is religious, as long as they don’t force those beliefs on me – and I won’t force my logic and free thought on them (though I may wish they could use their own brain and make decisions based totally in reality for themselves). What Ireland is doing here is legislating that Christianity is fact (which it simply is not) and anyone not falling for that is wrong and should be jailed.
What a complate farce of reality- and sanity-based laws this is making!
Comment by Hilton Travis — January 4, 2010 @ 9:41 pm
What happens to blasphemous songs like …
Oh, how I craved for you
You so pure and other-worldly with your scent of Winter
am I to bleed myself dry to see your delight?
That in the release of immortality
I should slay their fucking nazarene
Ah…the lies…the jew…I kill for you
Comment by some song i like — January 4, 2010 @ 9:47 pm
Christianity: almost certainly the most drawn out and elaborate cover up resulting from an affair that the world will ever know.
Although he and I would have much to disagree on, Mark Twain’s quote sums up how I feel about the bible almost perfectly.
Comment by Alfred Richardson — January 4, 2010 @ 9:55 pm
Pity Ireland. A stunning leap back to the middle ages. (Oh yes, Fuck the god of Abraham.)
Comment by Dave R' — January 4, 2010 @ 9:58 pm
A little research (even via the net) will show that the ‘big three’ monotheistic religions have, until very recently considered blasphemy very serious. Christianity considered it the worst violation of religious law, and punishable by death.
Comment by Chris Hager — January 4, 2010 @ 10:12 pm
Blasphemy laws? I thought my web browser had just entered the Way Back Machine, way back to somewhere in the 14th century perhaps. This law is anachronistic nonsense and an embarrassment in this day and age.
Comment by Abber — January 4, 2010 @ 10:25 pm
Thank god for Athiests, you very people are referred to in holy books. Your very dumb existance proves there is a god. You shall burn at a thousand degress or maybe more (hopefully), yeah lets turn up the heat.
Comment by martin James — January 4, 2010 @ 10:51 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLKk00OYKhU
Comment by jo@chim — January 4, 2010 @ 11:02 pm
This government cannot sink any lower, they really have reached the bottom. After all the scandals, their apologetics if not actual collaboration with religion is utterly disgusting, e.g. Brian Clowns excuses for the papal nuncio. I am actually ashamed to belong to a country which kowtows and grovels to religion so much, one where Fianna Fail and the still vast number of their idiotic supporters hold sway. Hyprocritical, immoral, self-serving, intellectually vacant, cowardly, corrupt – just some of the terms that could be used to describe them and their ilk. I will gladly blaspheme every single day and I would actually love to be charged with the ‘crime’. Fuck them all.
Comment by Paddy — January 4, 2010 @ 11:03 pm
The very strict Cistercian Order was founded by an evil, crazy man called Saint Bernard of Clairveaux. His Romish gangsters authorised and inspired the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland (the English Crown and the Pope of Roman have always been Ireland’s TWO main enemies). The bold Bernard ‘inspired’ the Second Crusade (my sympathy was and is with the Moslems during that and the current Crusade). He had a special relationship with the Virgin Mary. She used to spray milk from her breasts onto his lips, he said. Honestly, he thought this was true. Fucking christian fruitcake! And as for Saint Theresa of Lisieux and her imaginative, divine orgasms….
These mediaeval idiots don’t really need enemies. The oxygen of publicity and ridicule will cause them to rot and crumble away Ah, yes of course, that’s way we need a law to criminalise blashphemers, so we can’t openly critisize this looney shite.
Allahuakhbar!
Comment by Breandan Mac Searraigh — January 4, 2010 @ 11:03 pm
Sandy (re your comment)
I may get criticized from all sides for sharing this on a site full of profanities and where many contributors are avowed atheists. But in considering God’s Word and what it says, then this site is perhaps a very good place to share the following.
Of course those who criticize are entitled to do so – it is their right and privilege. I would like merely to give you a small pointer, some food for thought, by simply presenting to you a few verses for your kind consideration. I firmly believe that each individual has the freedom (somewhat obvious from the posts) and the right to believe the Bible or not – ironically not a few people would deny others the same latitude.
Acts of the Apostles 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Jesus Christ went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, and indeed God empowered Jesus Christ and was with Jesus Christ throughout. I realise that many religions would have us believe that God makes people sick, and supposedly in that case Jesus Christ, the Son of God, went about undoing what God had done – a rather discordant state of affairs! I think that what the Bible says at least makes more sense; and yet it is still every individuals’ decision whether to consider it, believe it, scoff at it, or not.
Hebrews 2:14
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
When someone dies many religions intone that ‘God took him/her’. Very radically different the Bible places the power of death with the devil. Little wonder that many people are perplexed and confused – and rightly so – with ideas such as God makes us sick and kills, and at the same time He loves us, and that we should pray to God for healing on the one hand but how can that make sense if He made us sick in the first place.
If you choose to use the Bible as a reference you cannot blithely ignore these verses and malign God for every calamity and disaster that happens in the world – in my humble opinion. Of course if you want to reject the Bible out of hand that is your prerogative and at least consistent.
As I have said before (post:195) I have no qualms with people choosing not to believe the Bible but I think that oftentimes people throw out the Bible when they should be throwing out the promulgated wrong teaching, hearsay and conjectures, which somehow have usurped the Bible. Ultimately of course, and it is worth saying again, it is your decision whether to believe the Bible or not. God does not impose His will on us and rather never contravenes our free will. Every individual has the right to make their own decision and should be allowed to make their own decision as to whether they want to believe or not (and if that is good enough for God it is good enough for me).
These verses are a small but important part of a fuller picture. Very importantly what Jesus Christ accomplished was an absolute turning-point with respect to what had been before. As there are immutable natural laws in the natural realm so likewise there are immutable spiritual laws in the spiritual realm (and incidentally in this regard the idea of ‘omnipotent’ is often misplaced). Before Jesus Christ’s accomplishments people could not be born of God’s spirit (although they could have God’s spirit UPON them), but from the Day of Pentecost (of Acts 2:1ff) it was available to be ‘born from above’, born of God, to be filled with the gift of holy spirit – solely and wholly because of what Jesus Christ accomplished (and yet it is not automatic – you still have the free will choice in the matter). And so in 1 John 4:4 it says: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” This statement could not have been made before the Day of Pentecost, and very pertinently, it was not the case that “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” with respect to the times and people of the Old Testament…
Comment by Joe — January 4, 2010 @ 11:19 pm
I am deeply impressed by the amount of people blaspheming here for the sake of our nation and mankind in general.
“Fuck that Bee Gee-looking dick on the cross” me.
This law is totally archaic. Another royal fuck up by our half witted government, fuck them too.
Peace to everyone else.
Comment by Rory O'Riordan — January 4, 2010 @ 11:26 pm
Cuando tenía 8 años mi hijo me preguntó si dios existía. Yo le dije que sí. Después de rezar por mi hijo, tras 11 meses este ha muerto de un cáncer.
Jean mi amiga catequista me aseguró que si rezaba se salvaría al igual que ella hizo por su madre. Su madre actualmente vive.
Debemos empezar a respetarnos a nosotros mismos y a nuestros seres queridos. Dios no existe, y afortunadamente es innecesario; lo importante son las personas.
Comment by Marta — January 4, 2010 @ 11:33 pm
Well, fuck me! if we were April 1st, not January 1st, I believe I’d think all this some Irish wit.
What’s to be done to all those James Joyce books, now jeysus?
Comment by Pepper — January 4, 2010 @ 11:42 pm
Jesus is Santa Claus for grown-ups
Comment by Donna — January 5, 2010 @ 12:12 am
[...] of speech should be met swiftly with resistance. We applaud the efforts of atheists who have published 25 blasphemous quotes on their website. We hope that Thelemites in Ireland will consider publishing our collection of quotations from [...]
Pingback by Against All Gods of Men « Aleister Crowley 2012 — January 5, 2010 @ 12:32 am
Reading the comments of gentlefolk here I am reminded of Psalm 2:1 – “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?”
If athiests have found a better, wiser way, as many of you here claim to have done, your own words belie and rebuke you. It is a silly law, but not for the reasons you suppose; men cannot legislate what their own callous hearts will not accept.
And you think your speculations have made you free?
Comment by Barry — January 5, 2010 @ 12:37 am
Under this law could you not just start up your own religion and then go around claiming anything anyone says is blasphemous to your religion? Just clog up the courts with a million court cases and they would have to repeal it. If they refuse to prosecute start crying foul about exclusion.
Comment by landothedead — January 5, 2010 @ 12:52 am
Talk about taking a step back as a modern civilisation
Comment by Nikki — January 5, 2010 @ 12:57 am
If bacon was good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for me.
Comment by Bob — January 5, 2010 @ 1:21 am
Christianity promotes a God who’s a rapist and encourages its believers to take part in cannibalism.
Comment by Berkan Demirbulakli — January 5, 2010 @ 1:25 am
When religion ruled the world, they called it “The dark ages” for a reason. This blasphemy law needs immediate flushing down the crapper.
It’s great to know so many thinking individuals are saying “screw this so-called deity, this Big Man in the Sky; what a load of crap!” I’m tired of the way the righteous religious folks push their beliefs on everyone else(fuck you, fundamentalists, jehovah’s witnesses)!
Very patronizing talk, barry, joe; referring to us as heathens is about as condescending as it gets!
And yes our speculations *have* made us free- free to think, to renounce guilt, to make our own decisions based on facts, and to live without the controlling force that is the church, whatever form it’s in.
Peace and a high five to all the thinking contributors on this list!
Comment by Candi — January 5, 2010 @ 2:09 am
Mohammad was a child molester. Of course, this makes one wonder if perhaps Mohammad wasn’t also a pope…
Mohammad sucked donkey dicks.
Comment by Mike (Republic of Texas) — January 5, 2010 @ 2:14 am
I am a Christian, in fact I’m R.C. ;I don’t actually believe the state should legislate on such matters. I do however think that we as people of the world should do our best to enshrine tolerance of each other, no matter our beliefs. Intolerance tends to be at the root of most or all conflicts.
The state should not legislate ‘decency’ for it’s citizens/subjects as it would be patently absurd and distinctly sinister, no matter the intention. This law would seem to be an attempt at such legislation.
However, I do have to chuckle at the hypocrisy of the so-called atheists/blasphemists on this comments page. With a few exceptions I presume, most of you castigate religion on the basis of your own prejudices/experiences/intellectual considerations, tending to single out religion’s capacity to encourage intolerance, hatred, mindless devotion.
I get the impression very few stopped to consider that in being quite so foul-mouthed and variously disgusting you are really simply encouraging more hatred and intolerance.
All that is required is to say: I do not believe, I see no reason to, and I object to any state trying to curtail my freedom of speech within reasonable limits.
The excess would simply seem to reflect your own emotions, being as it is entirely unrequired.
P.S. when it comes down to it all an atheist does is choose a different hypothesis to a theist, no more and no less.
Comment by Will — January 5, 2010 @ 2:43 am
Not sharing this primitive belief in a mystical man in the sky doesn’t make me a heathen, it makes me evolved. Time to quit throwing virgins in volcanos
Comment by Johnny Dam — January 5, 2010 @ 2:53 am
OK People !
Remember this is serious stuff …..this is now THE LAW in the Republic of Ireland and we who reside there have on obligation to obey it.I agree it is bad law and there are tests to show that. Let’s put it to the tests.
Additionally, it is typical of much of the legislation coming out of the Oireachtas.
Comment by donal clifford — January 5, 2010 @ 2:54 am
Bravo! Many thanks for working to return laws toward sanity and civility.
After Ireland, the world?
Comment by Lisa C. Lewis — January 5, 2010 @ 3:53 am
This blasphemy law made me mad enough to actually create a minimal web site at my personal domain, http://www.skepticism.us, just to thumb my nose at the idiots in Ireland who think this law is a useful addition to the rules governing society. I have no desire to personally experience the Spanish Inquisition or the European Dark Ages. Sue me you ignorant, narrow minded, thin skinned “Christians”.
Comment by Kurtis — January 5, 2010 @ 3:54 am
I have absolutely nothing against this God lad, and if he wants to have a chat with me about this situation, I’m free anytime. What I’m fucked off about is not only living in a country run by cretins, but having to be dragged back into DeValera territory by a minority of hypocritical troglodytes who are ostensibly running this country while breaking every single one of their own commandments. Is this the longest sentence on this board?
Comment by Róisín Kehoe — January 5, 2010 @ 4:11 am
PS Please don’t get into name calling, lads. Be united, remember what happened to the People’s Front of Judaea.
Comment by Róisín Kehoe — January 5, 2010 @ 4:15 am
Didn’t they ever show “Dogma” in Ireland?
Jesus Fucking Christ, they are as stupid as the non-science believers in the USA.
Or Jason Lee, Tom Cruise, and Will Smith the Scientologists.
Comment by Derek S — January 5, 2010 @ 4:30 am
I am shocked by this whole link… The law is fit for the dark ages I agree, But I don’t understand how it has evoked hatred in people like this, cursing to get your point across makes you look like an moran… and people will instantly have less respect for you… To be honest I read those comments and felt sorry for ye…
I do not agree with the law and believe it should be revoked but I am not going to insult every other religion out there…
Meath/Canada..
Comment by Anon — January 5, 2010 @ 4:50 am
Some Irish atheist should actually sue the Catcholic church at some point, when they say something technically against the scriptures (should be easy since, if nothing else, the scriptures themselves are self-contradicory). Then the ridicule of the law will manifest itself within a court…
Comment by A — January 5, 2010 @ 5:01 am
All you need to do is get an Irish priest to go on record saying “I know god will send all atheists to hell” or something like that. This fits the description of blasphemy in the law (firstly, how does the priest know what god really wants??? secondly, he is viciously attacking a large group of people who have every right to be outraged by such comments). So, actually take that priest to court!
Comment by B — January 5, 2010 @ 5:21 am
NOW GET AWAY FROM MY JUNIPER BUSHES!
Comment by Jehova — January 5, 2010 @ 6:04 am
[...] to restrict free speech in the name of religion. Ireland’s Atheist Association is already doing their best to break the law, in order to fight the new law in [...]
Pingback by Mr. Topp and the Big Bad Blog » The morning coffee and the chocolate blasphemy — January 5, 2010 @ 6:19 am
I know its a little overdue.
But I thought its about time that I told you, all that stuff I told that idiot Muhammad was just meant as a joke.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Kind Regards,
Allah.
Comment by Allah — January 5, 2010 @ 6:21 am
Ireland must have smoked a hell of alot of crack to think this was a good idea..like has been stated a dozen times already, most religious texts blaspheme against all religious texts with opposing views. Does this mean that Ireland has in effect banned all holy scripture? Will be interesting to see how this plays out. Oh yeah almost forgot…the three wise men were the ancient version of mailmen and whichever one got the right hole is probably Jesus’s true father.
Comment by Brad Miller - Kentucky USA — January 5, 2010 @ 6:49 am
Atheists are fortunate people: no need to talk to an imaginary guy.
Atheism: no more waste of time
Comment by TROUTER FROM BELGIUM — January 5, 2010 @ 8:23 am
My imaginary deity can beat up your imaginary deity with one of its imaginary hands tied behind its imaginary back.
OMFG, how can presumably intelligent people buy into this silly drivel in the twenty-first century? (Rhetorical question; after all, the Inquisition was a going concern well into the second half of the nineteenth century, and its equivalent exists today–although I’d rather not name names with respect to particular religions.) I am a rationalist. I believe in things I can perceive with my *five* senses: the view of a budding tree, the sound of my daughter’s laughter, the smell of a stargazer lily, a spoonful of just about anything yummy (although I acknowledge that icky tastes are also out there), the feel of a baby’s cheek. What about astrology, phrenology, palmistry, and everything else that has ever sought to explain that which we can’t explain? (Tea leaves, any one?) At least science is looking for answers, and it’s finding them, too. As unfathomable and benighted as I see religion, I recognize that people of a certain inclination need their own crutch. How does that give them the right to impose on the rational rest of us some sort of shut-yer-mouth condition?
Mind you, if asked I will tell anyone that I am a Jew. However, this is a cultural affiliation for me, and not a religious one. It’s more akin to being French than to being Taoist (to use two utterly unrelated examples). I have no patience for thumpers of any particular “sacred” book, whether Torah, “New Testament”, Qur’an, or The Cat In The Hat.
It amuses me to see that the overwhelming majority of the writers, those who oppose the new law, write with tremendous wit, even though, as has been complained before, some of them seem to have potty-mouths. (There are better ways to get an idea across, although they may not be quite as expeditious.) But all those in favor seem rather petulant and defensive. Peripherally, I am aghast at the preponderance of bad spelling. (I’m not talking about our American style as opposed to the entire other English-speaking world here.) How did people with such intelligent ideas fail to pick up proper spelling? Oh, never mind, they probably came out of schools that put focus on religion instead. Well, Mazel Tov on your recovery!
Comment by Helen-Anne Mertsching — January 5, 2010 @ 8:41 am
The law sounds as if it was written by Muslims! So, the UK is continuing on the path to becoming a Muslim country. Wouldn’t have thought that Ireland would lead the way. Within a generation or maybe two your Queen will wear a hajib and St Paul’s will be a mosque.
Comment by Ivan Beggs — January 5, 2010 @ 9:09 am
I just wanted to second (or third or fourth or eight thousandth and seventh) John Robinson’s comment:
“If you really want to highlight just how ridiculous this law actually is, then someone should very publicly (on a website, say) insult the FSM, and a second party take the blasphemer to court.”
Even better, form a new religion that worships the individuals who came up with this poppycock law, and then blaspheme & litigate.
Comment by L.Ferr — January 5, 2010 @ 9:12 am
Atheist are a bunch of confused people. You need Jesus Christ in your life. You better accept him.
Comment by Jesus the only savior — January 5, 2010 @ 9:54 am
You unholy blasphemers are in big trouble now! Any day now, the Great Divine Geoduck will rise up out of the depths of the briny sea and mercilessly spray the chortling faces of irreverent blasphemers with foamy sea water through its engorged holy siphon. Then will be the great reckoning.
Comment by Glad the Inhaler — January 5, 2010 @ 10:26 am
Here they go again! The helped the Irish Church to fuck little children for years and none of them ever got got done. Now if you say “Jesus fucked his mother in the Ass-hole” I can be fined? What kind of Bullshit is that?
Pleaseexplain this to me minister dick.
Comment by Vacman101 — January 5, 2010 @ 11:01 am
I have made a translation into swedish of the 25 blasphemous quotes and published it to my blog Then Swänska Argus, to help promote the campain in the northern parts of Europe, and to try and help to prevent the swedish parliament from passing any similar legislation.
Comment by Then Swänska Argus — January 5, 2010 @ 11:16 am
[...] Ireland’s preposterous blasphemy law came into effect on Jan 1 this year, and Atheist Ireland lost no time in challenging it with a list of 25 blasphemous quotes. [...]
Pingback by Anti blasphemy law campaign begins in Ireland | MediaWatchWatch — January 5, 2010 @ 11:29 am
The embracing of ideology whether religious or secular is the last refuge of the stupid and the intellectually lazy. When faced with a choice the ideologist rather than making a logical, rational decision can choose to ignore the evidence or to cut or stretch it fit the bed of his ideology, and decide according to the “great book” of choice. Should any ideologically engineered decision turn out wrong the religious reaction is the cry of “will of god!” whilst our secular ideologist blames “outside factors and circumstances beyond our control!” Ideologists of all types do not deserve the wonderful gift of a human brain; a spinal column and some motor neuron highways would suffice for their limited needs (To plagiarize Albert Einstein). Whilst the “cloud fairy” aspect of blind obedience to religion is well covered here we need our great ally “unbridled cynicism” to also protect us from the dangerous secular charlatans that so many put their blind faith in such as, Marx, Milton Friedman, Descartes, Hitler, Stalin, Alexander the Great, Mao Tse Sung, Gordon Brown…to name just a very few. We see more and more effort made by the so-called governments of the “free world” to provide protection for powerful charlatans and organizations tacitly through media monopolies and censorship and overtly with laws like the one under discussion or the ridiculous libel laws and “religious hate” laws of the UK.
Comment by Bernard — January 5, 2010 @ 11:44 am
Good on you people! This law is a rubbish idea and seems intent on dragging us back to the middle ages…
Comment by Anarchist606 — January 5, 2010 @ 11:49 am
You bucnh of absolute Leprauchaunich wankers…It’s cunts like you who are the fucking bane of this Earth..You should (but I don’t reckon you sick shitheads are_…be ashamed of yourself..into the toilet bowl with you and you’re god!….Is that blasphemous enough for you…..assholes!….yawn!…..
Comment by Jason Delgado — January 5, 2010 @ 12:00 pm
21st century!!!! I say no more
Comment by Alan Gaunt — January 5, 2010 @ 12:15 pm
I disagree with the blasphemy law, 100%.
On the positive side, I can’t help but think that at least this legal/ethical anachronism has highlighted some of the fallacies of religion. Dawkins, Hitchins et al, now have a political hot potato to help spread their message. Let us hope that the law is soon repealed; meantime we should be glad that the spotlight is placed on the various religions and their oxymoronic claims.
Comment by William Smyth — January 5, 2010 @ 1:16 pm
It is time. Once more unto the breach… or close the wall up with our infidel dead!
Comment by Hugh R Daman — January 5, 2010 @ 2:08 pm
For Candi (889)- “(fuck you, fundamentalists, jehovah’s witnesses)!” And yours is a better way how?
Comment by Barry — January 5, 2010 @ 3:53 pm
-A world without religion will be a safer place.
-Religion is mankind’s eternal curse.
-Did you ever see religious people who can reason?
-A lot of people who worship their religious books are illiterate.
-All human things are subject to decay,even religion.Can’t wait to see it happen.
-What is religion but a prison.
-To dip into a bible burdens the mind with unnecessary lumber.
-In every religion people gather round a bunch of lies.
-People are not born religious, they are indoctrinated and poisoned that way.
-One cannot emphasize it enough: religion is a brain desease.
-All those religious books are merely fairytales to an atheist.
-Why bother with religion when real life is much more interesting?
-Life is too beautiful to be dominated by religion.
-Your freedom of religion is my freedom to rediculise that religion.
-A religious scientist is a contradiction in terms.
Comment by TROUTER FROM BELGIUM — January 5, 2010 @ 3:59 pm
Hey if you incompetent government spanners really needed the money that badly you could have just legalised drugs or prostitution…we’d surely seem alot less deplorable in the eyes of the progressive minded world.
What you all must know is that this law cannot be enforced in a court as it is unconstitutional. The government know this but had to be seen to be taking steps to protect an archaic institution…yet why they would time this to coincide with the exposure of a disgusting church paedophilia scandal is beyond me.
We have a really stupid government people, try not to blame us Irish.
Comment by Mel McCarthy — January 5, 2010 @ 4:57 pm
“thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion”
if we take athehism as a set of beliefs and values about life (a religon) – then this law breaks itself…what the fuck?!?!
I mite set uo the church of blashphemy…..they are rightly fucked then!
Comment by Cormac Moore — January 5, 2010 @ 5:01 pm
I can’t help thinking some people are using this as an excuse for anti-Irish rants, and are really missing the point. This is a protest organised by Irish atheists. 691 and 917 are the key examples of stupid anti Irish racism, but all of those ‘threatening’ not to visit Ireland again should think about who, precisely, they are trying to offend. This law is a prime piece of stupidity from a thick Minister in an incompetent government. It should be challenged, and congrats to the organisers of this website for doing so. I also agree with whoever commented earlier on the occasionally offensive racist language here. Just set up your own pro-racist site if that is your thing, or go find the fascist one, just don’t invade this one.
J. Morrissey.
Comment by j morrissey — January 5, 2010 @ 5:04 pm
Jesus was a Pagan- all jews were pre New York City.
I wonder if they even read the bill before signing it into law? Who in their right mind would create something like this that they can’t even HOPE to uphold? Don’t they think that the police have enough to do or is this a reaction to some kind of protester rally?
I think this law is Blasphemous! Ha! Arrest the law!
Comment by Rachel — January 5, 2010 @ 5:04 pm
Good luck with this, from your Caledonian cousins over the Irish sea. All the best, guys.
Comment by Magnus J — January 5, 2010 @ 5:43 pm
Brilliant, but who did you let design your web site? From your CSS: “letter-spacing: -1px;” Do you realize how difficult this makes the page to read for someone sight-impaired, like me? The letters are all smashed together and no amount of zooming in on the text fixes it. Shame!
Comment by Jon D — January 5, 2010 @ 5:52 pm
In case this hasn’t already been drawn to attention, here’s an article on the Irish blasphemy law in today’s The Chronicle Herald in Nova Scotia:
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1160689.html
Notice is being taken on this side of the pond! –D.B.
Comment by David Blackwell — January 5, 2010 @ 6:03 pm
So this historic country now aligns itself with Iran and North Korea. It’s time for the European Parliament to consider the expulsion of Ireland from the Union because of its denial of the fundamental right of free speech.
Comment by Eddie DeBere — January 5, 2010 @ 6:50 pm
Back in Salem, Massachusetts a few girls wre misbehaving and didn’t want to be beaten again by thier fathers so they came up with a story of being bewitched by a woman they did not care for and did not care what happened to her because of thier lies. Thus started the Salem witch trials and burnnings at the stake.
Now go back two thousand years and there’s this girl who got herself into trouble and did not want to be thrown out of the house so she came up with a really great story about how she got pregnant.
Now fast forward to today and here we are. False gods and false laws to support them.
Oh wait! Doesn’t the Irish government know that the roman catholic churche’s priests rape children? Damn pedophiles.
Who are you going to believe, a bunch of priests who pull down the pants of children and sodomize them or people with honest concerns about stupid laws?
Comment by Nameless 1 — January 5, 2010 @ 7:10 pm
That does it! I’m no longer celebrating St.Patrick’s Day.
Comment by Bill — January 5, 2010 @ 9:00 pm
While you’re in congratulatory form – please consider the failure of your campaign.
1. You kicked up a fuss to stop it being passed,
2. Ireland ignored you.It passed
3. You asked for a delay
4. Ireland ignored you, it went ahead as planned
5. You sulkingly issued 25 ‘blasphemous’ statements
6. Ireland ignored you:lol:
I know the old adage goes if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again but c’mon lads
http://mpac.ie/2010/01/05/irish-atheists-blasphemy-law-challenge-falls-flat/
Comment by Mujaahid — January 5, 2010 @ 10:08 pm
Atheist’s make no difference what so ever, haha – stick that in your pipe and smoke it, mewhahahahaha.
Comment by martin James — January 5, 2010 @ 10:54 pm
New Law being proposed – Atheists are sentenced for 5 months for continued blasphemy.
Comment by martin James — January 5, 2010 @ 10:56 pm
Excellent blasphemy law. Well done Ireland, thats how you deal with the scum
Comment by martin James — January 5, 2010 @ 11:02 pm
Talking about muslim countries trying to get blasphemy laws in UN, I think it says in the charters that people (or children ?) have the right to religion, but we need to compaign for the RIGHT TO NOT BE INDOCTRINATED WITH RELIGION AS A CHILD !
Comment by childrens rights — January 5, 2010 @ 11:07 pm
I didn’t know that Ginness was so strong.
Give up drinking, politicians.
Comment by Afonso — January 5, 2010 @ 11:20 pm
As a firm Christian believer in the supernatural I would agree that anti-blasphemy laws are unnecessary.
Let God enforce the blasphemy.
However I would add that there were some very offencive statements posted here that will result in some premanantly being cut off from God. The result of separation from God is backwards evolution over generations.
There are some here who will be lower than chimps in 500 years, so they better not reproduce.
God can enforce blasphemy in the same way a fish is punished for leaving the water. It just isn’t as obvious.
Comment by richard — January 6, 2010 @ 12:17 am
Now we here in Australia admire much of Ireland, indeed many of our finest people are from Irish stock sent here on prison ships from England. Not for blasphemy but for having to survive after been robbed into poverty and having to pilfer in return.
But I offer this modest contribution.
Your own greatest song man, Mickey MacConnell, wrote this wonderful song about God. When Daddy went to Heaven. I don’t see it as being blasphemous but if it is may I suggest that the Law have an ammendment to offer either the fine or deportation to Australia. We NEED people like him!
The day my Father went to Heaven; Heaven went to Hell
For no sooner had the Mass been said and we rang the funeral bell
Than the rows and ructions all broke out and Paradise was lost
And the Father, Son and Holy Ghost began to count the cost.
I”m told the troubles first began when he reached the Pearly Gate
And began blackguarding Peter ’cause he dared to make him wait
When Peter pulled the ledger out and listed Daddy’s sins
My Father swore t’ was all damn lies and could not refer to him.
He refused to hear another word; he said that dying made him tired
Then put his shoulder to the door and brushed the Saint aside.
He marched through the Gates of Heaven like it was his private club
And asked a passing angel for directions to the pub.
He lost his head entirely when someone handed him a harp
And told him reels and jigs were out and on hymns to make a start
For Daddy would have none of that, his language turned obscene
He tuned it like a fiddle and played “Revenge for Skibbereen”
He ordered Padre Pio to go and buy him twenty fags
And suggested John the Baptist should go and fetch his bags
Blessed Michael the Archangel was alerted by the shouts
And dispatched the Angel Gabriel to sort my father out.
IIt proved a most unequal match poor old Gaby failed the task
For Daddy fractured both his wings and kicked him up the arse
He left the Prophets at a loss when he called them dirty pups
And went looking for Jim Larkin to start a union up.
Before long the choirs of angels were at each other’s throats
Because Me Da demanded equal rights and one angel one vote
And the saintliest of saintly saints were somewhat at a loss
When Daddy called them losers and marched off to see the Boss.
He bumped into Michael Collins, there arose a big to do
O’er the signing of the Treaty in 1922.
Next he met with DeValera and he shook him by the hand
And told him he was proud to make him Second in Command.
When they reached God’s private quarters, an angel barred the gate
But me Da and DeValera they didn’t hesitate.
DeValera kicked him in the balls and poked him in the eye
My Father grabbed him by the wings and made feathers fly.
God was chatting to His young lad when the pair of them burst in
They had been talking of the drastic fall in the numbers coming in.
DeValera roared for whiskey: My Father called for stout
And they told the Holy Trinity it was time to sort things out.
The Almighty quickly crumbled when confronted by the pair
He agreed He’d welcome some time off and would take it then and there
To hand o’er the reins of Heaven he confessed was a relief
And for the moment Heaven would be run by Daddy and the Chief.
Sometimes in Glorious sunsets I hear a ghostly fiddle play
And the thought slips through my mind it must be Daddy’s turn today
But until the time we meet again, I pray with all my soul
That God’s regained the upper hand and has taken back control.
The day my Father went to Heaven: Heaven went to Hell
For no sooner had the Mass been said and we rang the funeral bell
Than the rows and ructions all broke out and Paradise was lost
And the Father, Son and Holy Ghost began to count the cost.
Comment by Cliff Kelsall — January 6, 2010 @ 1:00 am
What kind of a pathetic gutless weasel god has to hide behind the skits of the human legal system?
Comment by Eric Pritchard — January 6, 2010 @ 1:21 am
The only god that could have need of a blasphemy law is one that doesn’t exist. Blasphemy laws serve the purposes of priests and so called prophets, not gods.
Comment by Eric Pritchard — January 6, 2010 @ 1:43 am
Congratulations, Atheist Ireland and great work! I’ve joined your fanclub on facebook and we have a couple of threads going on Beliefnet.com on a few forums to discuss your stand against a backward, medieval law that’s not so far from the hate speech law passed by the UN to prevent criticism of Islam. If there’s anything we can do to help, let us know!
Comment by California Atheist Chick — January 6, 2010 @ 3:20 am
I say if you can’t say something nice about religion then you shoudn’t say anything at all. So I won’t. Say anything. Because I can’t.
Comment by J. R. Horne — January 6, 2010 @ 4:28 am
In the spirit of this idiotic new piece of legislation all I have to say is…
…God isn’t! So fine me you bastards.
Comment by Mick — January 6, 2010 @ 5:16 am
What is this new law going to do to Ireland’s tourism industry?
The outrage here in the U.S. is certainly causing a few people I know to change their travel plans.
A law against blasphemy… something I thought was limited to ancient history and the modern Middle East.
I’m sure the lawmakers in Ireland meant well, but the way to handle the Christianity-only blasphemy law should have been to dump it, not expand it to every religion anyone has ever dreamed up — like my own worship of the Invisible Pink Unicorn (google her!)
Comment by Ankhorite — January 6, 2010 @ 5:46 am
Absolute fucking joke.
I hope this gets a lot of publicity.
Comment by Cubist — January 6, 2010 @ 6:15 am
[...] Bußgeldern bis zu 25.000 Euro belangt. Jetzt ist es nur noch eine Frage der Zeit, bis der erste Blasphemiker in seiner Wohnung abgeschlachtet wird. Irland, ist das nicht auch so ein Land, wo die katholischen [...]
Pingback by Blasphemie – Der Schockwellenreiter — January 6, 2010 @ 8:20 am
[...] Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes. [...]
Pingback by Links « Stuff — January 6, 2010 @ 9:33 am
More proof that religion and politics go hand in hand, man made laws are created to enforce a system of control. Religion is used as mass hypnosis to command and conquer.
“In God We Trust” printed on dollar bills, the real GOD is the bankers at the top of this whole stupid pyramid scheme and I can assure you that none of these political leaders or bankers are Religious, And right at the bottom of their pyramid scheme is all the sheep following a faith blindly.
Comment by Andrew — January 6, 2010 @ 11:31 am
[...] protestieren die irischen Atheisten, und zwar mit Zitaten von Mark Twain, Frank Zappa oder, ja, Jesus. Und natürlich von George Carlin. Seinen Religions-Rant hatte ich hier schon x-mal und ich kann [...]
Pingback by Irische Atheisten vs Blasphemie-Gesetz - Nerdcore — January 6, 2010 @ 12:53 pm
What an absolute cracker of a group of opinions.Wouldn’t it be good if we could all live as intended,without any blasphemy laws,anywhere,anytime,and without anyone taking any offence!
Comment by David Perth — January 6, 2010 @ 1:30 pm
[...] quotes have their own blog: blasphemy.ie, but heavy traffic – probably resulting from the BBC story – is making the site [...]
Pingback by Atheist Ireland Challenges Blasphemy Law | Unreasonable Faith — January 6, 2010 @ 2:06 pm
You forgot…”Jesus is a Mushroom” by the late great bible philologist and Dead Seas Scroll expert, John Marco Allegro.
Comment by theJesusMushroom — January 6, 2010 @ 2:13 pm
God is a whore. I fucked her yesterday. It was pretty expensive, €200/month, but totally worth it!
I was considering taking the “rape Jesus” deal instead, but I opted for a special “Religion Crew Programme” campaign they were running right now. It goes like this: You fuck god up her ass, while Jesus, Moses and Muhammad watch you. They are behind a window, and watching me fuck god up the ass, while they masturbate. That really turned me on! I can recommend it to anyone who is interested!
/Yusuf
Comment by Yusuf — January 6, 2010 @ 2:17 pm
Excellent stuff and incredibly interesting. What is more interesting – almost unbelievable – is that a Western nation enacted an anti-blasphemy law in 2010. The free-thinkers of the world will be watching this affair with great interest. Good luck.
Comment by Tim M — January 6, 2010 @ 2:28 pm
Q: What do Mohammed and the Catholic Church have in common?
A: They both like to fuck nine year olds!
Comment by Ben Marshall — January 6, 2010 @ 2:40 pm
the law is bull and free speech should reign
but just coz u CAN say anything u want shudnt be the reason to just say nasty things. sure the “believers” take things too far and most deserve some nail bats up their peeholes but u kno jesus dint tell them to be a dick, and even if he did, the doers are the morons, im sure jesus had a pretty chilled life and all being admired by ppl and the all the controversy and all(until the end). Cant be contemptuous of a guy like that regardless of how braindead the things followers do are. reminds me of che
Comment by shaezan — January 6, 2010 @ 2:55 pm
[...] Atheist Ireland och MMN-o Etiketter:censur, demokrati, dumhet, hädelse, lag, läsvärt, religion, [...]
Pingback by Dynamic Man » Repost: Atheist Ireland publishes 25 religious quotes — January 6, 2010 @ 3:09 pm
Pure insanity. I was born in Dublin, now live near Belfast and I never even heard of this law before today! I can’t believe a modern society allowed this nonsense to become law. Shameful.
Comment by Necronomic Forecast — January 6, 2010 @ 4:22 pm
[...] More at http://blasphemy.ie [...]
Pingback by TAO - Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes — January 6, 2010 @ 4:45 pm
I think the law is great in fact they need to add to it and make it illegal to be associated with any entity that speaked out against any religion, with a legal punishment of imprisonment of no less than 10 and up to 20 years in prison. Then the only people left on the streets would be athiest since every religion is based on the fact that they are right and everyone elst is wrong, and we wouldn’t have to deal with these hate mongering morons that make up a lie and get enough people to buy into it so they can call it a religion. I hope more countries adopt this law then all the free thinkers will be all that is left to deal with and I can get on with being a reasonable human being.
Comment by fromalaska — January 6, 2010 @ 6:01 pm
I think the 25 examples of blasphemy were quite tame. What would the response of the authorities be if someone were say to go to a catholic mass, obtain a wafer/host/body of christ and nail it to a fence post, feed it to a dog or USE IT TO SAY A BLACK MASS (WHATEVER THAT IS).
Comment by Jack Butler — January 6, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
I note with interest that nobody so far has had the nerve (dare I say the b*lls) to blaspheme the True Lord of the Universe, the Flying Spaghetti Monster (Sauce Be Upon Him). Those who have been privileged by the touch of His Noodly Appendage feel no need to do so; the rest of you poor deluded creatures certainly know better.
RAmen
Comment by Tom Coward — January 6, 2010 @ 7:03 pm
939 – Let God enforce the blasphemy.
However I would add that there were some very offencive statements posted here that will result in some premanantly being cut off from God. The result of separation from God is backwards evolution over generations.
There are some here who will be lower than chimps in 500 years, so they better not reproduce.
———————————————————————————————
Err, actually it will be sooner than that. Well the chimps are here now and they’ve just passed a blasphemy law…..
Comment by Gabriel Oaks — January 6, 2010 @ 7:47 pm
If you really wish to challenge this law… why don’t you publish the MOHAMMED CARTOONS ?? Now thats a blasphemy… or maybe you don’t really want to challenge this law… do you ?
Comment by Friend — January 6, 2010 @ 10:18 pm
Q. How do you know when you come accross an atheist?
A. Atheists have shit breath from talkin out their arse holes.
Comment by martin James — January 6, 2010 @ 10:53 pm
Athiests leave Ire NOW!
Comment by martin James — January 6, 2010 @ 11:04 pm
Piss off atheists and you should drop using the name Ireland as ur a disgrace to Ireland
Ireland does not need you, so piss off
Comment by martin James — January 6, 2010 @ 11:09 pm
They forgot to include my personal favorite:
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?
Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing?
Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing?
Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing?
Then why call him God?”
-Epicurus
Comment by Chris B. — January 7, 2010 @ 12:05 am
Right so… This is a load of shite, this law. Good on you for publishing this list, fight it, fight to keep free speech and expression!
I must disagree with others who think it medieval, though- a law in the Middle Ages would be strictly against Christian blasphemy, and would not dream of protecting other faiths- they’d just burn them or tie them upside down so all the blood could drain to their head that they might stay concious whilst they were sawed in half from the bottom up (actual medieval torture!).
It is, rather, taking modern ‘political correctness’ WAY too far. I myself am not atheist, but I certainly believe in the right of any to challenge any belief systems, including my own! Are we not, after all, allowed to hold intelligent discussions any more? Are we no longer permitted to THINK?
Someone aught to put a stop to this, and AI has made a brilliant start. Everyone should do something instead of just complaining about it. I say, where do I sign?!
Comment by Niamh — January 7, 2010 @ 12:07 am
If there was a god then Henry has his hand…The cheating robbing cuntfuck!!
Comment by thetrojan333 — January 7, 2010 @ 12:26 am
I can’t believe I live in this run down, fucked up country. Sure let’s let the priests who molest little children run free, but lets fine the people who dare speak out about our out dated , bullshit of a religion!!
Fuck me, I’m very much tempted to visit Dublin and have a little ‘chat’ with the so called ‘men’ in charge.
Comment by AtheistIrishAndProud — January 7, 2010 @ 3:40 am
[...] provoke a response to challenge the government on their bullshit, so they’ve come up with a list of 25 blasphemous quotes. Some of my favorite ones are: 2. Jesus Christ, talking to Jews about their God, in John 8:44: [...]
Pingback by Blasphe-me, Blasphe-you… « Prose Encounters of the Nerd Kind — January 7, 2010 @ 6:33 am
[...] ateístas irlandeses lançaram uma lista de 25 blasfémias em desafio a esta lei, as quais reproduzo nas linhas [...]
Pingback by Lei de anti-blasfêmia na Irlanda « bloco de notas — January 7, 2010 @ 8:09 am
To Michael McGuire and all the other wimps whining about the harsh comments here: you are all terribly missing the point. Censoring this kind of comments is exactly what a blasphemy law is about. So I say no to censorship and fuck, fuck you all bunch of wimps!
And in fact, fuck everybody else here as well! You are all so great I’d shag you all!!
There, I wanted to blaspheme a bit against “human dignity” as well. Do they take that into account in the blasphemy laws?
Comment by Raskolnikov — January 7, 2010 @ 9:54 am
[...] January 7, 2010 in Religion In support of our athiest friends in Ireland I am republishing the following in full from blasphemy.ie: [...]
Pingback by Happy New Year, Ireland! « Right To Think — January 7, 2010 @ 10:35 am
My contributions:
From the Novel Trinity, a short poem: “Up the long ladder, down the short rope, God Bless King Billy, and go fuck the Pope!
From a recycled Pollack joke: Q; “Why wasn’t Jesus born in Ireland?”
A: “Because the Lord searched the entire country and couldn’t find three wise men and a virgin!”
Comment by Mike 71 — January 7, 2010 @ 12:55 pm
God is dead :-
In the very old days, Bob Geldof’s goodness would have been called an act of God,
these days virtually nobody would believe this (not even God botherer’s)
btw. RTE better have lots of 25K’s if they intend to continue to show “Father Ted”
did dermot Morgan not leave Ireland because of the above God botherer’s.
“Brian Leave that Welsh tart alone !”
Comment by Brian — January 7, 2010 @ 1:12 pm
I have to throw my lot in with you good fellows – keep the blasphemy coming! I’m hoping this adds some extra piss and vinegar to the next Primordial, though.
Comment by Narrwahl — January 7, 2010 @ 1:26 pm
God told me, she prefers atheists!
Comment by Sam Vimes — January 7, 2010 @ 2:22 pm
For instance, if I say fuck islam and fuck mohamed, the beheader, the raper and the lier (which is fully true ) and will be sued ? so we are totally back to the middle age and inquisition ( ireland politicians are really brainwashed)… bad time for intelligence, reason and freedom… My major Word : FUCK ALL RELIGIONS AND FORBID THEM , THEY ARE THE WORST EVIL AND ENNEMY OF PEACE AND REASON IN THIS WOLRD
Comment by lucent — January 7, 2010 @ 7:49 pm
Gerin Oil (or Geriniol to give it its scientific name) is a powerful drug which acts directly on the central nervous system to produce a range of symptoms, often of an anti-social or self-damaging nature. It can permanently modify the child brain to produce adult disorders, including dangerous delusions which are hard to treat. The four doomed flights of September 11th 2001 were Gerin Oil trips: all nineteen of the hijackers were high on the drug at the time. Historically, Geriniolism was responsible for atrocities such as the Salem Witch Hunts and the massacres of Native South Americans by Conquistadores. Gerin Oil fuelled most of the wars of the European Middle Ages and, in more recent times, the carnage that attended the partitioning of the Indian subcontinent and of Ireland.
Gerin Oil intoxication can drive previously sane individuals to run away from a normally fulfilled human life and retreat to closed communities of confirmed addicts. These communities are usually limited to one sex only, and they vigorously, often obsessively, forbid sexual activity. Indeed, a tendency towards agonized sexual prohibition emerges as a drably recurring theme amid all the colourful variations of Gerin Oil symptomatology. Gerin Oil does not seem to reduce the libido per se, but it frequently leads to a preoccupation with reducing the sexual pleasure of others. A current example is the prurience with which many habitual ‘Oilers’ condemn homosexuality.
As with other drugs, refined Gerin Oil in low doses is largely harmless, and can serve as a lubricant on social occasions such as marriages, funerals, and state ceremonies. Experts differ over whether such social tripping, though harmless in itself, is a risk factor for upgrading to harder and more addictive forms of the drug.
Medium doses of Gerin Oil, though not in themselves dangerous, can distort perceptions of reality. Beliefs that have no basis in fact are immunized, by the drug’s direct effects on the nervous system, against evidence from the real world. Oil-heads can be heard talking to thin air or muttering to themselves, apparently in the belief that private wishes so expressed will come true, even at the cost of other people’s welfare and mild violation of the laws of physics. This autolocutory disorder is often accompanied by weird tics and hand gestures, manic stereotypies such as rhythmic head-nodding toward a wall, or Obsessive Compulsive Orientation Syndrome’ (OCOS: facing towards the east five times a day).
Gerin Oil in strong doses is hallucinogenic. Hardcore mainliners may hear voices in the head, or experience visual illusions which seem to the sufferers so real that they often succeed in persuading others of their reality. An individual who convincingly reports high-grade hallucinations may be venerated, and even followed as some kind of leader, by others who regard themselves as less fortunate. Such follower-pathology can long post-date the original leader’s death, and may expand into bizarre psychedelia such as the cannibalistic fantasy of ‘drinking the blood and eating the flesh’ of the leader.
Chronic abuse of Geriniol can lead to ‘bad trips’, in which the user suffers terrifying delusions, including fears of being tortured, not in the real world but in a postmortem fantasy world. Bad trips of this kind are bound up with a morbid punishment-lore which is as characteristic of this drug as the obsessive fear of sexuality already noted. The punishment-culture fostered by Gerin Oil ranges from ’smack’ through ‘lash’ to getting ’stoned’ (especially adulteresses and rape victims), and ‘demanifestation’ (amputation of one hand), up to the sinister fantasy of allo-punishment or ‘cross-topping’, the execution of one individual for the sins of others.
You might think that such a potentially dangerous and addictive drug would head the list of proscribed intoxicants, with exemplary sentences handed out for pushing it. But no, it is readily obtainable anywhere in the world and you don’t even need a prescription. Professional traffickers are numerous, and organized in hierarchical cartels, openly trading on street corners and in purpose-made buildings. Some of these cartels are adept at fleecing poor people desperate to feed their habit. ‘Godfathers’ occupy influential positions in high places, and they have the ear of Royalty, of Presidents and Prime Ministers. Governments don’t just turn a blind eye to the trade, they grant it tax-exempt status. Worse, they subsidize schools founded with the specific intention of getting children hooked.
bali man
I was prompted to write this article by the smiling face of a happy man in Bali. He was ecstatically greeting his death sentence for the brutal murder of large numbers of innocent holidaymakers whom he had never met, and against whom he bore no personal grudge. Some people in the court were shocked at his lack of remorse. Far from remorse, his response was one of obvious exhilaration. He punched the air, delirious with joy that he was to be ‘martyred’, to use the jargon of his group of abusers. Make no mistake about it, that beatific smile, looking forward with unalloyed pleasure to the firing squad, is the smile of a junkie. Here we have the archetypal mainliner, doped up with hard, unrefined, unadulterated, high-octane Gerin Oil.
Whatever your view of the vengeance and deterrence theories of capital punishment, it should be obvious that this case is special. Martyrdom is a strange revenge against those who crave it, and, far from deterring, it always recruits more martyrs than it kills. The important point is that the problem would not arise in the first place if children were protected from getting hooked on a drug with such a bad prognosis for their adult minds.
By Richard Dawkins(Legend)
For any of you who din’t catch on, Gerin Oil is an anagram for Religion
Comment by S'O'S — January 7, 2010 @ 8:40 pm
Q’ What did the prophet Muhammed have in common with Horror Villain Freddy Kruger?
A; They both preyed on young children the only real difference is Kruger was a child killer while the false prophet Muhammed was a child molester
Comment by Talia Al Ghul — January 7, 2010 @ 8:55 pm
@970
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?
Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing?
Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing?
Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing?
Then why call him God?”
-Epicurus
Thank you Chris B.,that is so elegant – oh god! I wish I had had a classical education!
Comment by Paul Leclercq — January 7, 2010 @ 9:30 pm
And another lovely and so germane, quote from Epicurus:
It is not the man who denies the gods worshipped by the multitude, who is impious, but he who affirms of the gods what the multitude believes about them
Now this man I can believe in!
Comment by Paul Leclercq — January 7, 2010 @ 9:38 pm
Someone aught to put a stop to this, and AI has made a brilliant start. Everyone should do something instead of just complaining about it. I say, where do I sign?!
Comment by Niamh — January 7, 2010 @ 12:07 am
Sign your mothers pussy, bitch
Comment by martin James — January 7, 2010 @ 11:21 pm
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, and I quote.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions ‘without interference’[or in laymans terms, upto a 25k euro fine] and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
This means people can say what they damn well please about anything and/or anyone without any form of punishment whatsoever.
Lets see what happens to this new ‘law’ now!
Comment by Bob Geldof — January 8, 2010 @ 1:20 am
Bravo! Although i’m a christian from lebanon, i approve this kind of initiative because it fights stress. Don’t forget that, healthwise, it is scientifically proved that insults and the like are good for health, both mental and physical. Emotionally, the human being has to blame someone when confronted to a difficult situation. So, he insults his Creator without knowing that subconsciounsly he is blaming himself. Anyway, this is not the place to discuss such issues. Hmmeldonnerwetter! Borde de dieu de merde !
Comment by serge jelalian — January 8, 2010 @ 6:45 am
[...] The Blasphemy Ireland website (set up, I presume, specifically to challenge this), sums it up perfectly: In a civilised society, people have a right to to express and to hear ideas about religion even if other people find those ideas to be outrageous.Blasphemy.ie [...]
Pingback by ThePickards » Wootton And Co — January 8, 2010 @ 7:52 am
The European Union should be based on the secualar and democratic values we have been fought for in Europe for more than 200 years. “Blasphemia” is just a word and certainly not a crime. We must fight against the religious lobby in all EU countries and that of course also includes the Republic of Ireland. It is all religions that are a threat to all citiciens in EU and in this case Eire! Last a muslim fanatic was trying to kill the danish artist for his drawings but even the christianity shows the uggly face not at lest from the catholic church leader the so called Pope he is against all the real European values we have received untill today. Leave the churches and other religious organisations if you belive in humanism, reason and equal rights for everyone. You who believe in gods do so but it is a completely private matter!
Karl Rothlieb
Comment by Karl Rothlieb — January 8, 2010 @ 8:43 am
[...] Ireland is testing — and protesting — the law by publishing blasphemous quotations like the following: “Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting [...]
Pingback by Blasphemy Laws Are an Admission of Failure | Finance Blog — January 8, 2010 @ 9:27 am
It REALLY REALLY REALLY is a poor “Blasphemy” site when you can’t even get the Muslims anger up! This site needs a shot of religious viagra.
It can’t even muster enough blasphemy to break the law in the context that it is written inthe Statue Book. Fact remains that non of those quotes go near to break the law.
Time to put the toys back into the pram Athiests!!
Comment by Satan — January 8, 2010 @ 9:39 am
Can you please reduce the width of the quotes. They are very hard to read. As a guideline, you ought to have 10 words per line on the web.
Thanks
Comment by Rachel — January 8, 2010 @ 11:09 am
Good luck with the campaign. Don’t let Ireland regress to the dark ages.
Gratuitous blasphemy alert-
JESUS WAS A TWIT
Comment by wtargentina — January 8, 2010 @ 12:12 pm
One of the most severe blasphemies is to, “assume to oneself the rights or qualities of God.” Jesus definitely did this, claiming to be the son of God and requiring his followers to worship him. The arrogant fucking hippie ended up dangling from a cross as a direct result of blasphemy laws.
Comment by Ben Marshall — January 8, 2010 @ 1:44 pm
Q: What is the difference between Mohamed and the Catholic Church?
A: Mohamed only fucked ONE nine year old.
Comment by Ben Marshall — January 8, 2010 @ 1:46 pm
“If there was no God there would be no atheists.” -G.K. Chesterton
Comment by Steve — January 8, 2010 @ 2:34 pm
I must say although I’m nearly agnostic at this stage I don’t like to see people bad mouthing the Pope. To have such devotion to anything, I feel, is amazing. Though I’m sure somebody’ll make a post in a minute saying he’s dedicated to fucking children or something.
Comment by Eoin — January 9, 2010 @ 4:50 am
01/01/11 First Irish National Blasphemy Day. Open to all.
Comment by Frankie — January 9, 2010 @ 5:57 am
I would, but, how do you get through to fanatics? When at school in Ireland, 70’s 80’s I was wrong without thought, they could not conceive that a student believed religion was bullshit.
01/01/11
First Irish National Blasphemy Day. Open to all.
Comment by Frankie — January 9, 2010 @ 6:16 am
wow,
the lengths that people will go to due to their imaginary friends?
does this law include slagging off the tooth fairy, or santa?
Comment by steve montgomery — January 9, 2010 @ 9:19 am
I’m utterly taken aback by the rage that erupts in just about all of these comments, and by the speed with which this page fills. An awful lot of people have suffered at the hands of religion. Please when was this page first posted?
Comment by Ted Daniels — January 9, 2010 @ 11:19 am
Cute misleading Chesterton quote, Steve. (#998)
We are atheists not because there is a god (how silly would that be?) but because the evidence for a god is crap (sorry!). Adding insult to injury, the religious can’t even agree among themselves what this god is, or even how many gods there are.
Comment by Emanuel Landeholm — January 9, 2010 @ 12:27 pm
I’m sorry if I don’t understand and I won’t say I’m sorry for being a Christian and that I go by faith and that alone in God and Jesus Christ as His Son and our Savior. Maybe the world as gone to far and we should take account of our lives and seek the forgiveness of God through Jesus. He gives us free choice yes to be and do what we will with our lives. As I drive to work I see signs that say “God loves you”, Please help every one knows them YES… Look we have gay pride day and how about abortions and wife beater children molester and killer of all sorts our government leaders are so dishonest that for most of us here in American it’s a joke. But still we see no end no God nothing. A few weeks ago I thought that. See I’m a Christian not by birth but by choice I choice to change my life to live for God and don’t think that I’m walking a great I better than you but I do know that using God’s name the way some of you here have used it is so wrong and yes that is the best I can do. See I’ve had a number of affairs and 2 abortion I’ve been homeless. I’ve sleep with so many people I can’t ever remember some of their faces how sad is that, and you know what God still loves me and He going to come and just give me all the riches of the world because of it. NO… but He loves ME and that is enough and to know that love doesn’t mean that I don’t fight Him I do. But remember when you stand up in front of God and if you have not received Jesus Christ you will not enter in to the house of our One True Father. So though it may be funny or shocking to use the F==Work or call people whore, in with God Jesus Christ and anything having to do with HIM and I’m not talking about any religion or church YOU WILL BE JUDGED BY GOD AND WHEN HE ASK WHY SHOULD I LET YOU IN WHAT WILL BE YOUR ANSWER. I forget what this article was will bout other than someone thing to force something on some one else but some thing yes are worth fighting for Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes but most of the comments listed on this post are blasphemous and when God calls for us I want to be able to say I didn’t stand in with some in this group. Even if I have to stand alone. I hope and pray that Ireland can truly be a free country because it is truly a lovely place.
Comment by Rebecca — January 9, 2010 @ 3:47 pm
Good luck with your fight against the theofascists.
Comment by nullifidian — January 9, 2010 @ 4:40 pm
Rebecca, if Ireland is to be a free country it has to have free speech. Anyway I wish ye all the best with this campaign. It’s great to see that there are people challenging this law and hopefully it’ll be repealed. Considering what is going on in the Catholic Church in this country why are they bringing in a law that punishes the blasphemous? Surely there are worse criminals out there than those that make or publish blasphemous statements? This just shows how hypocritical our country is right now.
Comment by Aggravated Agnostic — January 9, 2010 @ 4:47 pm
This is all great, but to be honest I would like a more concrete idea of what is actually being done (legally) to repeal this bloody law already. Is it being taken to the European High Court or Court of Human Rights? This type of law is dangerous, damaging to civil liberties and generally detrimental to our development and dignity as a species. That they are essentially immaterial and based on nothing is the absolute definition of irony!
If religion is put beyond analysis and criticism, there will be no stopping it controlling the world and its politics. No obstruction to it cutting off all other forms of thought and learning that does not revolve around it; no restraint on its dragging us all back to the ways of oppression, patriarchy and abuse religion (monotheistic at least) seems to be absolutely designed to enshrine. No furthering in science or philosophy before too long, as we are obliged to believe that just one or two ancient texts are actually capable of explaining the entire, immense universe. The entire race going round and round in circles for millennia, no more original thought, no advancing or enlightenment in our comprehension of existence…no point to going on at all. Is that really what you want? (….Rebecca?) ‘God’ forbid we could actually arrive at peace and progress independent of these, these ridiculous supernatural notions.
You may think I am just being paranoid and bombastic, overstating the repercussions of this law, and any similar ones that may be instated as a result of it. I hope I am – the human race could not be that hidebound, nearsighted and stupid. Could it?
Comment by Deirdre O'Donnell — January 9, 2010 @ 5:36 pm
[...] [...]
Pingback by Ben jij gelovig of een regelmatig kerkbezoeker? - Pagina 18 - 9lives — January 9, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
“prais Allah” is blasphemy to the Christians. “Jesus is Lord” is blasphemy to islam. Fine all the mutally exclusive religions institutions, people etc. Generate some tax dollars out of it then rally the support of the relgious bastards who wanted the law instituted in the first place. blasphemy will no longer be a problem!
Comment by taylor — January 9, 2010 @ 10:50 pm
I do believe in A God. I believe that all this that surrounds us did not come together by chance. If we just simply observe nature we discover how perfect it is and how all living beings are connected to each other in one way or another. Also we cannot deny the voice inside us, which some may refer to as conscious. However I also see the great injustice in the world and the suffering, but I do not think this law will make any difference in regards to that. People will think whatever they want anyway, until the day they will start prosecuting us for thought crime like in George Orwell`s 1984. While I do not think racism should not be addressed, regardless all the efforts governments make it still exists. People still think in very much the same way as they previously have done, but they are simply unable to voice their opinions openly in public or find channels to do so. The laws brought into action to deal with the issue did not solve the problem, just made it disappear from the surface, but unfortunately it still lives on, more or less in silence but within our society. This law will probably have a similar affect on blasphemy. It will still exist, but will not be openly expressed in public. This thought takes me back to the communism where a friend of my parents was executed for spitting at Stalin`s photo in the pub, when he was drunk. His execution did not change public opinion, but created fear, that lead to hatred aimed against the governing body. Having seen people mindlessly causing harm to each other and the wickedness in this world I think God will most probably simply let us wipe each other out if we carry on like this, so that the creation can be restored to the state how it was meant to be like. If only people were educated in the appropriate way we would understand each other and could live in peace and work for a better future together. In my opinion the solution lies in education not legislation.
Comment by Miklos Handa, London — January 10, 2010 @ 8:12 am
Christians believe man is god’s greatest creation.
Athiests know god is man’s worst creation.
Comment by Gabriel Oaks — January 10, 2010 @ 9:57 am
In respect of the Catholic Church’s support for the blasphemy law this is hypocrisy at its greatest; for while they claim that they wish to serve God it is only in an advisory capacity.
But even then their interpretation of God’s will always appears to be at one with their agenda!
However, perhaps one of the better arguments for the non-existence of god is if such a benevolent entity existed would he, she or it really try to inspire the world through Christians and Muslims?
Oh dear, did I just blaspheme?
But then blasphemy is the law of man to protect his ‘god’. If god really existed then would he, she of it really need such ‘protection’?
Comment by Patrick Fenlon — January 10, 2010 @ 10:20 am
Don’t forget this mother of all blasphemous quotes, uttered by Jesus Christ himself:
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was, I Am!” (John 8:58)
Comment by Siri — January 10, 2010 @ 1:48 pm
I don’t personally have a problem against the practice of most religions and I don’t think it’s necessary to keep insulting them just for the hell of it. Nevertheless, just as people are entitled to their religious beliefs, they are also entitled to express their opinions on the religious beliefs of others.
This law is absolute bullshit and I commend the person who made this page.
Comment by Yoshi — January 10, 2010 @ 2:31 pm
Free speech includes the right and freedom to criticize religion on an academic level, but it does not protect hate speech in public. I believe the blasphemy laws are designed towards grossly offensive gestures that have no point to make except to provoke – for example, an image depicting bestiality with supposed religious prophets, something like that would not be criticism but a form of abuse.
Comment by Junaid — January 10, 2010 @ 3:17 pm
[...] [Via @neilhimself] Na Irlanda, blasfemar agora é crime [em inglês]. [...]
Pingback by Domingueiras « Batata Transgênica — January 10, 2010 @ 5:23 pm
1016 “blasphemy laws are designed towards grossly offensive gestures” this is an excellent post. However, a law is enforced through the detail contained within the statute and not on how it was designed or intended.
There are numerous examples of this throughout history.
In this respect it is highly probable that the “law” of unintended consequences will almost certainly apply.
However, if the law really was enacted to prevent grossly obbusive remarks then why not in the wider sphere rather than just relative to religion?
Comment by Patrick Fenlon — January 10, 2010 @ 9:29 pm
It would seem to me that the point of the law is being missed by all. Machiavelli himself would be rubbing his hand with glee at the polarising effect that this law has had. Hell you couldn’t have gotten a better shit storm if you had dressed up as Hitler and walked into down town Jerusalem.
Oops, brought the Nazis into a debate (though someone else already did that), it would appear that Atheism have thus lost this debate, if one is to accept the precepts of Godwin’s Law – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_law.
Nevertheless as is the case with many things that go on in the hallow halls of government I hardly doubt the justice minister of Ireland is that naive to believe a fine will curtail or stop blasphemy. It is also hardly the first steps to an authoritarian 1984 style dystopia where the religious right rule the planet (i think for the most part they already do).
Look at the sub-text. Look at what’s going on in Ireland. Perhaps the government is still deeply affected by the The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse and is moving to force editors of the soon to published books and write ups to self-censor their authors works. See defamation (as far as I know it) is a civil matter, and thus a complainant is forced to fund (initially) their own prosecution and case. This new anti-blasphemy law makes it a criminal matter. Sure they might to supply more evidence but it will certain move the cost of funding expensive defamation cases from the complainant to the Crown.
An interesting point is whether the law is retroactive? This would have major ramifications.
It could be the Catholics pushed for this criminalisation of defamation (of religion). Perhaps it won’t ever be used by ever conservative newspaper and book publishers will be reluctant to push to be the first to be tested on it.Perhaps the law serves many purposes, to distract us from deviant MPS and failing economy, and a bitterly divided government.
On a side note, this reality that we reside in seems so insane, crazy. Our own interpretation and understanding are forever biased by our own inabilities and failures. It seems premature to be certain of anything in this reality. I do definitely agree (if you are to just accept the crazy reality we live in) that anything that seeks to harm or curtail freedom should be opposed (on principal).
Comment by chugs — January 10, 2010 @ 11:37 pm
Personally I’m glad this law was passed, because it makes almost all religious talk illegal. Want to claim Jesus is the son of God? Opps, just insulted Islam and the Jews? Claim that Mohamed was a prophet? Just insulted Christianity. Want to claim that any other entity created the earth except the Flying Spaghetti Monster? Not only are you clearly deluded but you’re breaking the law.
Comment by Michael Price — January 11, 2010 @ 11:19 am
Surely any deity or deities(lets not be exclusive to the monotheistic imaginary fruitcakes)that are omnipotent and omniscient are not in need of the non-biblical laws of humans(or should I say MAN, to placate all the misogynistic views of “believers”). Are we Atheists and Heathen swine not ultimately to be judged by the Lord doG when we pass from this mortal coil? Remember “Lots done, more to do”. Vote Fianna Fail next time you get the opportunity. Sorry, what was that doG, you’ve found me a parking spot. Why thanks doG you’re the one and only.
Comment by Ramirez Shabadoo — January 11, 2010 @ 5:05 pm
Hi there ! Thank for posting.
Comment by antireligious t shirts — January 12, 2010 @ 1:23 am
Good luck guys! Fuck god, jesus, the holy spirit, muhammad, buddha, zaroaster, satan, zeus, poseidon, and all those other non-existent knob ends.
Comment by sacredchao — January 12, 2010 @ 3:44 am
[...] Anfang Januar ist es in Irland also strafbar, gotteslästerliche Äußerungen von sich zu geben. Nicht, dass sich der jeweilige Gott beschwert [...]
Pingback by Derangierte Einsichten - Blasphemie! — January 12, 2010 @ 6:07 am
The Ballad of Joking Jesus
I’m the queerest young fellow that ever was heard.
My mother’s a Jew; my father’s a Bird
With Joseph the Joiner I cannot agree
So ‘Here’s to Disciples and Calvary.’
If anyone thinks that I amn’t divine,
He gets no free drinks when I’m making the wine
But have to drink water and wish it were plain
That I make when the wine becomes water again.
My methods are new and are causing surprise:
To make the blind see I throw dust in their eyes
To signify merely there must be a cod
If the Commons will enter the Kingdom of God
Now you know I don’t swim and you know I don’t skate
I came down to the ferry one day and was late.
So I walked on the water and all cried, in faith!
For a Jewman it’s better than having to bathe.
Whenever I enter in triumph and pass
You will find that my triumph is due to an ass
(And public support is a grand sinecure
When you once get the public to pity the poor.)
Then give up your cabin and ask them for bread
And they’ll give you a stone habitation instead
With fine grounds to walk in and raincoat to wear
And the Sheep will be naked before you’ll go bare.
The more men are wretched the more you will rule
But thunder out ‘Sinner’ to each bloody fool;
For the Kingdom of God (that’s within you) begins
When you once make a fellow acknowledge he sins.
Rebellion anticipates timely by ‘Hope,’
And stories of Judas and Peter the Pope
And you’ll find that you’ll never be left in the lurch
By children of Sorrows and Mother the Church
Goodbye, now, goodbye, you are sure to be fed
You will come on My Grave when I rise from the Dead
What’s bred in the bone cannot fail me to fly
And Olivet’s breezy—Goodbye now Goodbye.
Oliver Gogarty (later ripped-off by J. Joyce)
Comment by Harry G — January 12, 2010 @ 11:39 am
Who asked Lazarus his opinion – poor man had to die twice!
Comment by GMcD — January 12, 2010 @ 3:14 pm
In the next hundred years when Christianity lives only in Africa and some parts of Asia because the church Elders set a return date on JC who is once again a no show. When Islam and Judaism (their elders wisely didn’t put a return date on ANYTHING)have become moderate with a smaller following (perhaps). I foresee a group similar to this one screaming for a law to be repealed because they can’t freely slander or malign scientists of yore like Albert Einstein, Werner Karl Heisenberg or Murray Gell-Mann. I say this because mankind needs to have faith in something until the day we can be immortal and fly and shoot laser beams from our eyes and have nano bots repairing our damaged [insert futuristic appendage here]. We need to protect our god-given-right to cuss anyone! For without that right we will not move forward! Whats more liberating then calling someone’s mother or friends or (oh exquisite glory yes!) Deity a cock-juggling-mayonnaise-gurgling-shit-chucking-ape, and not feel like you have contributed to all a most splendid creation…?
Why do I feel that one day We the animals will realize that the faces of the pigs look like the faces of humans and no one can tell the difference between them.
I pray often. I pray we become more than malcontents who can spell. I pray. I don’t know about you modest lot, but I do think I am special and important and I will live on forever somewhere over the rainbow, seriously I just can’t picture someone as awesome as me just dying. If you lot got self esteem issues thats your problem.
Oh wait I just remembered, humanity only saw progress when something got obliterated.
Comment by PRELATE†ÏVČ — January 13, 2010 @ 3:19 pm
Beware Ireland. It will soon be blasphemy to call a priest a paedophile.
Keep up the good work. Religion poisons everything.
Comment by Chaz Wyman — January 13, 2010 @ 8:39 pm
Hello Ireland. A fine country with a fine people whom I respect and hold dear. But to the Irish politicians who made this law, I have to say: Fuck Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Shintoism, Zoroastrianism, Bábism, the Bahá’í faith, Restorationism, Mormonism, Gnosticism, the Rastafari movement, Samaritanism, Unitarian Universalism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Ayyavazhi, Din-i-Ilahi, Confucianism, and Taoism. Fuck them all. None of them hold any truth and are all worhtless, meaningless pseudo-philosophies.
If I missed any out, my apologies, but the same goes for them and their non-existent deities.
I wish nothing but peace and happiness to those who have any kind of faith, and hope that the above doesn’t cause them unneccesary distress; but I will never accept any attempt to curtail free speech, so I blatantly and directly flout this joke of a “law”. Religion is bullshit.
Comment by Chris F — January 14, 2010 @ 1:35 am
[...] Läs mer här: http://blasphemy.ie/2010/01/01/atheist-ireland-publishes-25-blasphemous-quotes [...]
Pingback by Lindenfors blogg » 25 hädelser på Irland — January 14, 2010 @ 8:19 am
What a breath of fresh air! We are having trouble here in the U. S. as the self-admitted murderer of the abortion doctor Tiller has been given the green light by the courts to use “god made me do it” defense. Sarah Palin, who, thankfully, did not win the election told reporters, “It was god’s plan” for her to run. I was even told by my boss, when my 18 year old daughter died, that she was going to hell because she did not die a Christian. I told this idiot not to worry about my daughter as she’ll be waiting for a reunion with my boss in hell! We could go on and on the way people use any religion to justify their simple existence. Love the comment by Chaz – you’re OK by me!
Comment by Sue Gold — January 14, 2010 @ 7:49 pm
They fear that modern religion will be cast aside and then overthrown by Atheism. I apologize for my lack of research, but if Ireland’s state religion is offended by a minority religion, lets say there are some Satanists or Jehovah witness’ neighboring a strict believer of the state religion, and if the neighbor considered the neighboring practices of the Satanist ‘blasphemy’ and filed a complaint, would action be taken? I myself am not in Ireland, however, I find this new law strictly repulsive. Modern religion is inevitably going to be killed out due to modern science. Think about it; if we where to say that suddenly we found a planet with life, or be able to create a new species of life from an artificial cell; without cross-breeding. What would most religions say for their ‘creator’? As yourself, the reader of this comment that will have little to no impact; as an individual, think of this event, and what would happen.
PS: To one of the previous comments; believe it or not, the founder of your country (The USA) George Washington himself proclaimed that religion is misleading and stated that religion should not be practiced in the new nation’s politics.
Comment by Zerteith Vanderkepf — January 14, 2010 @ 9:36 pm
The introduction of this law is backward, and has no place in a modern twenty first century society.It plays into the hands of fundamentalism and extremism.It is shameful of our goverment to introduce this law, and once more hold us up to ridicule in the eyes of the world.
Comment by Adrian Duffy — January 15, 2010 @ 3:00 pm
Just another example of a cowardly Irish Goverment, toadying up to the Muslims -they do it all the time – because they are afraid of them.Shame on you cowardly Dail members.You make me ashamed to be Irish
Comment by Danny — January 15, 2010 @ 4:01 pm
Like most governments, The Irish have a penchant for hanging onto archaic concepts in the hope that ‘control’ will be restored to the few. The world is going to hell in a handbag and its all down to religion. BAN it now, Save the world !
Comment by Miki — January 16, 2010 @ 9:22 am
[...] Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes | blasphemy.ie [...]
Pingback by NA-162-2010-01-03 — January 16, 2010 @ 11:16 am
IF GOD DID NOT EXIST, IRELAND WOULD INVENT ONE, THEY NEED THE MONEY
Comment by GEORGE HEGARTY — January 16, 2010 @ 11:23 am
# 1037: If god had money do you think the world would be this fucked up?
Comment by Ted Daniels — January 16, 2010 @ 10:43 pm
[...] Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes | blasphemy.ie [...]
Pingback by No Agenda 162 | InBeta — January 17, 2010 @ 11:08 am
I would love to hear more about turkey.
Comment by Anonymous — January 17, 2010 @ 5:09 pm
@1040: They’re tasty…but will make you sleepy after eating them.
Comment by Stuff and Things — January 18, 2010 @ 12:12 pm
In support of what you’re doing: There is no God, there are no souls, this is a good thing. Organized religion in all forms is guilty of far more evil than good. Nothing in our history is responsible for the degree of pain and suffering than organized religion. It, and not blasphemy, should be banned. If I had to compare organized religion to any one thing, I would have to say it is like a cancer to our emerging global community. Also, to those half-way believers: you do us no favor by pretending it is okay that some people believe in God. It is not okay. All belief in God is evil as it affords a cloak of legitimacy that enables organized religion, and in particular radical or fundamental forms, to continue to exist. Until we all get over the selfish desire for eternal life and admit to ourselves that one day we simply will no longer exist, this cancer will continue to cause pain and claim lives. All belief in God and all organized religion is immoral.
Comment by James Green — January 18, 2010 @ 8:40 pm
H
O
P O C U S
U
S
Comment by Joe Broadhurst — January 19, 2010 @ 10:09 am
That’s not fair! My comment is supposed to make the shape of a cross. Like this:
………….H
………….O
…….P..O..C..U..S
…………..
………….U
…………..
………….S
Comment by Joe Broadhurst — January 19, 2010 @ 10:13 am
Yahew has a Threesome (with a capital T, after all they are all deities) with Allah and The Virgin Mary while Thor and Xenu get to watch from the side.
Comment by top_this_please — January 19, 2010 @ 4:32 pm
Some outside Ireland are saying “a backward law for a backward country”.
This statement is of course only partially true as its a backward law but brought in by backward politicians.
Ireland if often recognised as a very forward thinking country but unfortunately this law is giving many a completely wrong impression about both the country and its people.
Such a view is usually applied to all, irrespective of their views and beliefs.
A great pity.
Comment by Gabriel Oaks — January 20, 2010 @ 6:34 pm
crazy irish laws by crazy irish catholics. despite of this its completely ridiculous to blame jesus by john 8:44 – john was as crazy a esoteric antijew fanatic as religious-fanatic christians or jews or muslims of today. john is the historical proof of religious esoteric fanatism in early christianity and a shame for christianity like mohammed in parts of the coran for the islamic world – its craziness on both sides. poor jesus – he is not responsable for the disasters done by his fanatic successors.
Comment by beat stocker, switzerland — January 21, 2010 @ 8:23 am
then i can assume it will be illegal to write, or speak of the crimes catholic priests have been committing against pre-pubescent alter boys for years… the unpunished crimes will go on as long as the priests can get their pricks hard…… so can i conclude that no one will be allowed to speak, or write charges against me if i stuff a boy with my hard-on?????? I think not, but then this law has been passed….
Comment by charlie clark — January 22, 2010 @ 2:33 am
[...] demons? Should atheists be advised by their legal counsel to keep their thoughts to themselves? Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes | blasphemy.ie No one can blame the Irish for this. Only perpetrators who continue to spread unsubstantiated [...]
Pingback by Ireland returns to the Dark Ages - Page 2 - The Moscow Expat Forums — January 22, 2010 @ 6:31 pm
God is Santa Claus for grown-ups. Only Santa Claus is a much nicer person.
Comment by mookiemu — January 25, 2010 @ 1:47 am
Actually, we don’t need to blaspheme against religious ideas. All we need is to relentlessly call all believers idiots. I mean, religious beliefs are no guarantee against idiocy, are they?
Comment by Permafrost — January 25, 2010 @ 2:13 am
Congratulations from Continental Europe! I love your idea! Here (France) we will soon have the same problem…
Fantastic!
Comment by ChOm1 — January 25, 2010 @ 5:35 pm
[...] group Atheist Ireland publishes a series of quotes online which are critical of religion, saying they will fight in court any attempt to use Ireland’s [...]
Pingback by Irish atheists challenge blasphemy law – as Danish cartoonish has brush with death | HumanistLife — January 26, 2010 @ 3:48 pm
Can Jesus microwave a taco so hot he himself cant eat it?
-Peter Griffin (family guy)
Comment by James Mogie — January 26, 2010 @ 4:45 pm
[...] new anti-blasphemy law coming into effect, an Irish atheist organization published a list of “25 Blasphemous Quotes” for which they gained heavy international news coverage. A few of the quotes look to be [...]
Pingback by Once A Grassroots Atheist « “an illustrative account” — January 27, 2010 @ 1:23 am
I truly feel for freethinkers in ireland. As an American I cringe every time our evangelical fanatics and ultra-conservative Catholics assault our constitutional rights. But to actually pass a law prohibiting free speech is a travesty in any country that calls itself a democracy. Government issued theocracy never works. I hope the Irish can get this idiotic law erased. I wish them the best.
Comment by Lex Lewis — January 27, 2010 @ 3:21 am
Silly laws to protect silly ideas.
Well done on highlighting this insanity, this hypocrisy, this injustice.
Comment by Mark — February 1, 2010 @ 7:42 am
PS. I have my tickets for the Global atheist convention here in Melbourne this March.
Comment by Mark — February 1, 2010 @ 8:45 am
I would like to subscribe to your NEWSLETTER.
JPPS
Comment by Jean-Pierre Pagès-Schweitzer — February 1, 2010 @ 10:17 am
Blasphemy #1 (above) was planned so that the temple could be destroyed so Jesus could raise it up in three days, Jesus, The True Temple of God. The Stone temple had become an idol. Blasphemy #2 Jesus said the Devil was the father of those Jewish leaders who were rejecting Him. They happened to be the Heads of the Jewish nation,He didnt say it to Jewish Matthew, Martha, Nicodemus,or Joseph of Arimathea etc. In fact anyone who rejects the Son of God is of their father the Devil. You don’t have to scream to blaspheme, it actually is in the heart first, and then expresses itself by what you do and say.
Comment by Dan Babcock — February 2, 2010 @ 12:22 am
Religion should be ridiculed because its ridiculous. How dare they bring this law in without even a referendum. The fact that its been brought in anyway is just so unbelievably crazy that I am just so shocked at how corrupt and stupiid our government is. Do these polititians have any kind of common sense realism?
Comment by Frank — February 4, 2010 @ 5:33 pm
Well I´d like to start by quoting dave, the 4th comment on this site. Or we can do it biblically, Dave:4
“The “virgin” Mary was so-called because she preferred to take it up the ass when she partied with the shepherds of Judea. Joseph was well aware of this, in fact it was this reputation that attracted him to her. Hence his surprise when she got pregnant. Apparently it was easier to believe the child was the son of God than that some of Joseph’s jizz had dribbled into Mary’s blessed vagina after he pulled out of her ass.”
Good man Dave, I´m still laughing at this and probably will be for the next 5 mins!
What a fucking joke, blasphemy is illegal.
So correct me if I´m wrong here, Father Ted episodes, Tommy Tiernan and so on, it´s all illegal now? Shit someone better notify The Pirate Bay and tell them not to show links to any of these shows because it´s illegal.
Should the irish government not be more concerned with the fact that a high percentage of their clergy are kid fiddlers? Focus your energy there instead of repressing the right to freedom of speech. And while we´re on the subject, come out of the middle ages and let the priests marry or ride women at least, that´ll keep the children safe. In other contries where priests are allowed shoot their load without burning in hell child molestation is not as common as Ireland. Time to wake up Dermot Ahern, You Fuckin Spanner, as your brother would say!
Comment by Mary Does Dallas — February 6, 2010 @ 8:08 pm
I wonder if readers (and writers) of this threat are aware of a game called “Blasphemy”. It’s put out by an American company, Pin Stripe Publishing, I assume you’d have to order in on-line from Ireland. The game is subversive, but also very witty. Lots of fun for all you blasphemers, and even Christians with a sense of humor.
Comment by robert gorton — February 7, 2010 @ 4:14 pm
Ha ha you bloody atheists just lost a major one there. Believers 1, Gay atheist Evolutionists NOTHING!
Comment by Atheist Killa — February 8, 2010 @ 3:48 am
I know a couple of guys named Jesus, and both are nelly bottoms.
I’ll let everyone know when I find a guy named muhammad that takes it in the ass,no doubt there are many.
Comment by American contragenic — February 10, 2010 @ 1:22 am
I may just be Sixteen years old, but I’ve realized something about this omnipotent being religions speak of.
If there is a God, why do people worship it?
It, and Worship are nothing and do nothing for our benefit and gain only one thing for us, that is to lower our overall intelligence and increase our overall ignorance.
Now, I say this for the sake of humanity being able to think freely; Since God doesn’t do anything for us (Unless religious people would like to use not being able to interpret it’s will as a cop-out), God is irrelevant, and should be expelled from our minds as soon as possible.
“God” has no purpose for being worshiped, except to pawn minds off to the top agenda of the time. Would an omnipotent being who created us all really need to manipulate us this way? No.
Also if this makes any sense I’ll be surprised
Comment by Lol Ireland — February 10, 2010 @ 4:36 am
Is the 1st qoutes also consider as anti-semitism? can the jews be also anti-semite if they inslut the Arabs as we know they both semites
Comment by Nash — February 12, 2010 @ 1:02 pm
The human philosopher known as Jesus would be disgusted to see what became of his ideas and ashamed that so many people took him literally.
There is no god!
Comment by Abel Magwitch — February 14, 2010 @ 3:27 am
Dearly beloved, (!),
RE: the Irish law about religion–I am totally atheist. One of my direct ancestors was hanged as a witch in Salem, Mass. But the law says “grossly abusive or insulting.” Certainly we can express our opinions in a civilized manner, without being this way. Of course the law should be reversed!
PS-the bornagains are concerned about life after death. My concern is, is there life after birth!! : )
Comment by Bob Moore — February 15, 2010 @ 2:50 am
Its all about Islams move to dominate us…what we are seeing is Sharia law. Its not just Ireland got this law..the league of muslim nations had it introduced to the UN, and the UN told each European country to file a law protecting religion (and of course Islam…who will love getting its ugly head under it).
We are seeing a takeover by slam
Comment by kafur — February 15, 2010 @ 10:11 am
This is my first time of hearing of a so-called blasphemy law refraining people from using their senses and their mind to think. It is just synonymous to the biblical nonsense, in which the “God of idiosyncracy” ordered the fictional Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree that gives wisdom and knowledge. They call it “the original sin”. Yes! it’s a sin in the eyes of this so-called supernatural God for mankind to have wisdom and knowledge. It is this Dog (you can call it God) that religious people say we should worship. Only the insane would do that.
I say bravo, to all the clear-thinkers (atheists) in Ireland for this noble cause of standing against this disgraceful law. It’s just a shame on humanity. If animals are not thinking and we humans beings too are not allowed to think, then what is the essense of the human mind?
Marc Donna ,African atheist and philosopher.
Comment by Marc Donna — February 16, 2010 @ 9:18 pm
On the grounds of Saint John’s Church in Tralee is a low building. On the outer wall of this low building, one can find a tap that will produce holy water. At least, that is what one is led to believe by the words that are chiseled in the stone slab above the tap. When I located this holy water tap, some two decades ago, it was a brass tap with an elegant shape. A reverent tap actually.
Now, the tap has been replaced and one can acquire the holy water by way of a chrome and plastic kitchen spout with a blue label that says ‘cold’.
Minute as it occurs, and indifferent as I am towards holy matters, I experience this grotesque expression of distaste as blasphemous. Will the law act please?
Comment by Ron van der Noll — February 18, 2010 @ 12:23 am
As a very devout Christian, I must say: YAWN. I did not find any of these comments to be even slightly offensive, or even funny. As for post number 1054, it was Homer Simpson, not Peter Griffin (remember, he was high off Mary Jane for his eyes, when Ned Flanders came over?).
I must say, though, that I disagree with the Anti-Blasphemy Law; it is as lame as your attempts to protest it.
God Bless!
(By the way, “There is no God and Jesus never existed.” Still alive. Still Christian. Still saved. Yep.)
Comment by textilemonster — March 10, 2010 @ 5:09 am
[...] association d’athées est entrée en dissidence contre cette loi, en publiant sur son site internet 25 citations tombant sous le coup de cette loi, et en organisant des conférences au niveau [...]
Pingback by Irlande : une loi contre le blasphème voit le jour, des athées entrent en résistance. | www.nonali.com — March 10, 2010 @ 4:23 pm
[...] Posted by huehuecoyotl Why can't Athiests complain about all of them? Oh, but they do! Atheist Ireland Publishes 25 Blasphemous Quotes | blasphemy.ie "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" – Voltaire [...]
Pingback by do Christians really think that their religion is peacful? at Forums.IslamicAwakening.Com — March 12, 2010 @ 12:09 pm
“these laws should be put in place to stop pricks like you spouting stupid nonsense about soemthing that you shouldn’t really have an opinion on anyway”.
Everybody is entitled to their opinion, even in Ireland. If atheists are not going to stop this foolishness, then who is?
Comment by Jim — March 15, 2010 @ 2:08 am
We stand by you, Irish Atheists! I just heard that the infamous blasphemy law may be coming under vote. I hope that you folks bury that ugly stain.
Oh, and FUCK GOD.
Comment by Ajita — March 15, 2010 @ 8:17 am
Look, I only said, “That piece of halibut was good enough for Jehovah.”
Comment by Jude — March 17, 2010 @ 5:23 pm
Keep up the pressure. This law is an insult to humanity. I might have to stop drinking Guinness beer now out of protest and that is really blasphemous.
Comment by Scott — March 20, 2010 @ 6:06 pm
These blasphemy laws should only apply to religious people.
Comment by Eimear Dwyer — March 22, 2010 @ 10:53 am
What, no Woody Allen?
Quotes, More Information, Sources:
“Not only is there no God, but try getting a plumber on weekends.” – “My Philosophy” in The New Yorker
Comment by Jerry Wesner — March 23, 2010 @ 1:04 am
May god have mercy on you all…
Comment by Stephen — March 23, 2010 @ 2:50 am
So much hate and vitriol(and even racism) and so little humour.
..So if you can’t have laws to help protect poeple(s)and allow diversity to develop why have laws?
Most of the previous comments( even the ‘HUMORUS’ ones ) in some way (i think) reflect the insecurities of the senders.
Or indeed maybe (the law?) reflects the insecurities of the proponents of this proposal.
A little reflection and reasoned debate would not go astray.
Codes and law should give hope and stability and not be used to bully or suppress reasoned debate.
Much of the comments are just unnessilarly offensive.
So could we start this tread again? PLEASE!
A real (old) PADDY!
Comment by Paddy — March 25, 2010 @ 3:12 am
I too am a fan of reasoned debate but this law has been forced upon us. I see no debate necessary on this matter, the law has to go in order to protect an individuals right to free speech.
And these comments dont reflect peoples insecurities. I think they reflect how strongly people feel about this issue and show anyone who sees them that a ridiculus law like this will not be tolerated by free thinking individuals in this day and age.
Civilization has been hindered long enough by the farce that is religion. If jeebus wants a fight then wheel the bastard out and we’ll nail the fucker again. Only this time it’ll take more than the holy ghost to bring the cunt around.
Comment by Seamus — March 25, 2010 @ 2:32 pm
177. Oh, and FUCK GOD.
Catholic Priests have been wanting to do that for decades. However, having found him somewhat elusive they found a substitute in the form of young boys.
Comment by Gabriel Oaks — March 28, 2010 @ 7:33 pm
1085 should have referred to 1077!
Comment by Gabriel Oaks — March 28, 2010 @ 7:35 pm
Do you not see? This law is not there to stifle views, but more accurately to defend the views of those whom have faith in something consecrated.
Don’t you realise how you are being unmitigated hypocrites to say that it’s wrong or suppressive to have this law? Blasphemy is a form of disrepute. The Law doesn’t not set out to punish or criminalise Blasphemy or to prevent people possessing opinions on religion. It sets out to punish offensive blasphemous statements which wish to act as an attack and cause offense.
I have the right to say I do / don’t believe in God without persecution from others. The law doesn’t say you can’t have an opinion but rather it says you can’t try to cause try and cause outrage. I have read all 25 quotes on this site and I believe all of those are opinions and do not attempt to cause unrest.
Frankly, I think individuals need to study the law in depth (I am a barrister and have done so on several occasions) and then form an opinion. Actually, before you are critical of any religion, maybe you should also study it in depth before forming an opinion on it. How many of us have read the bible? Or the Koran? Very few I would safely assume? So tell me how you could have such problems with the religion? We must learn to separate churches and religion. Churches are run by peoples, not Gods. To have an opinion without knowledge is somewhat small minded.
It appears to me that people are using this site to vent their anger at the Catholic Church as opposed to the Blasphemy law. Let me ask, how many of you will enjoy Easter Eggs tomorrow and Christmas Presents on the birth of Jesus?
How can the law protect Atheists? We believe in nothing. There is nothing held sacred to us. How can nothing be protected?
Live and let live.
Ps I am an atheist and not defending my believes but rather my work.
Consult this case for proof: Corway v. Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd
Comment by CLAIRE FINNEGAN — April 3, 2010 @ 8:43 pm
Blasphemy laws protect no person. Blasphemy laws allow the government to use force to cow and silence dissent. Blasphemy, defined, means ’saying something the church finds offensive.’ The church is happy raping children and hiding in the vestry but saying so is blasphemy. I propose that the real crime is rape and the real criminals are the corrupt church and its moribund, rape complicit, patriarchy.
Comment by Scott — April 5, 2010 @ 9:11 am
LOL
What a bunch of reactionary weaklings. Religion is dying, you dumbasses help keep it alive. Well done you useful idiots.
Comment by Jim Digweed — April 6, 2010 @ 2:24 am
Hate is really not the most attractive of human emotions no matter what you believe
I believe that spreading hate should rightly be a crime. The more I read the comments here the more the new law sounds reasonable. Respect is needed within a multicultural society and if people can’t respect other people then laws have to be made.
Comment by Ireland Travel Guide — April 12, 2010 @ 7:09 pm
jesus christ was in one of two states of mind when he was alive. He was either delusional enough to believe he had some supernatural power that no other human being had or he was a complete fucking liar. my suspicion is the latter – too easy for humans to lie – everyone can do it.
jesus and all gods of all religions take it up the arse.
Eliminate this stupid law.
Comment by pope — April 15, 2010 @ 11:23 pm
[...] a group that claims to represent the rights of atheists, responded to the new law by publishing 25 anti-religious quotations on its website, from figures including Richard Dawkins, Björk, Frank Zappa and the former Observer [...]
Pingback by Irish atheists challenge new blasphemy laws | Sovereign Independent — April 20, 2010 @ 6:51 pm
[...] http://blasphemy.ie/2010/01/01/atheist-ireland-publishes-25-blasphemous-quotes/#more-721 [...]
Pingback by In support of the Atheists in Ireland fighting against the RIDICULOUS Irish Blasphemy law at Tales of Ordinary Madness — April 26, 2010 @ 2:38 am
All religion is pretty stupid,
- but izlam is WEAK & FRIGHTENED.
- the founder of izlam, muhammad, was a CHILD-RAPING, MURDERER,
- so the CULT of muhammadanism is on VERY ‘ DODGY ‘ ground.
- This is why muhammadans are so quick to PROTEST, KILL, or simply lash out at critics,
- BECAUSE they KNOW that the critics are RIGHT, – ie. the izlam is bullshit,
izlam IS BULLSHIT…
muhammadans are STUPID..beyond belief.
Comment by mustafaweewee — May 1, 2010 @ 3:18 pm
Hi Folks, I’m an agnostic and I think you’re missing a simple point here, before getting on your collective high horse you might want to give consideration to incitement to hatred. You sound like a group of teenagers who just discovered Nietzsche and think Atheism is completely contrary to organised religion. It’s not really, it’s dogmatic in its own way, you’re calling these laws stupid without thinking of the consequences of allowing any kind of blasphemy, you can’t have people running around saying anything they want about anyone and their core values and beliefs consequence free, it leads to anarchy and in that situation you’d probably be the first people lined up against the wall and shot. It’s a nice idea that these laws wouldn’t be needed but a small minority of people will always express their opinions irresponsibly if given free reign. With freedom of speech comes massive responsibility. It has to be monitored to some degree or have a line somewhere you can’t cross. I’m sure this comment will come in for major abuse on this site but just consider Incitement to hatred, these laws are not necessarily all about empowering the church, organised religions (both of whom I’m not a fan of either, nor the government). Cynicism for the sake of cynicism is almost as bad as apathy. By the way Richard Dawkin is a dick is not unlike an example of blasphemy in a way, a champion for atheists it probably will incite some hatred here and prove my point.
Comment by Richard Dawkin is a Dick — May 17, 2010 @ 11:00 pm
Atheists don’t claim Atheism to be the only true.. but only ask you to test it.
Religionists ask you not to test their religion .. and claim it’s the only truth.
– Aung Thanzaw
Religion has slowed down the progress of humanity.. We’ll be a lot advanced if religions were never invented by fearful primitive ancestors.. We will still know a flat world till now if we take religionists’ words as universal truth.. religious folks doesn’t know how to give a chance to a new idea.. their eyes are covered by the dark cloud.. Humanity has reached to this place cos of free-thinkers who fought bravely against the blind faith.. and.. now Irish Government wants to go back to middle age.. I don’t know When I will see the Headlines that say ” Irish people start staying at Caves ” ..
It’s a shame that a modern civilized country like Ireland walks backward shamelessly!!!
Aung Thanzaw,
Myanmar
Comment by Aung Thanzaw — May 20, 2010 @ 9:02 am
More to a book than its cover…
Today I have found myself reading about three authors. These three men had various levels of fame and in each case, the interest today was more about them than it was about their work. Samuel Clements aka Mark Twain, the great American writer was comin…
Trackback by Proving the Obviously Untrue — May 25, 2010 @ 8:53 pm
All religious people are crazy. More or less. You should never ever trust people who receive telepathic messages from invisible creatures.
Comment by Kari Hakkinen, Finland — May 31, 2010 @ 2:59 pm
Stupid you are all who does not believe in God and Jesus and holy spirit. you will burn in hell and the time for you come very soon, you’ll dye and you will see.
Comment by peterpan — June 3, 2010 @ 3:53 pm
One can only hope peterpan does not get caught short with a sudden death before confessing his sins when he “dyes”. What happens then?
Comment by Jim — June 10, 2010 @ 4:56 am
People don’t come to church for preachments, of course, but to daydream about God. – Kurt Vonnegut
How on earth can religious people believe in so much arbitrary, clearly invented balderdash?….The acceptance of a creed, any creed, entitles the acceptor to membership in the sort of artificial extended family we call a congregation. It is a way to fight loneliness. Any time I see a person fleeing from reason and into religion, I think to myself, There goes a person who simply cannot stand being so goddamned lonely anymore. – Kurt Vonnegut
Comment by Dylan — June 13, 2010 @ 3:08 pm
I do not understand so much hate and vulgarity… (I’m talking about the comments, the text is rather light.) I understand that it is possible, and even easy, not to believe in God. But to have such a trash out of the mouth… If God doesn’t exist, it is not necessary to lower yourself that way, talking about nothing. If he does, what you are doing here is awfuly grave. I won’t wish you here to find God. You wouldn’t understand why it is important and most desirable. At least, I wish you to find peace. I pray for it.
Comment by Raooooul — June 15, 2010 @ 8:21 pm
“I understand that it is possible, and even easy, not to believe in God.”
If it is possible and easy not to believe in god, why not take the easy way out and accept that the bible is just a compilation of Jewish nomadic myths.
Surely it is easy to understand that it is not possible to verbally hand down over generations, million of years, the story of a god who made the world in 6 days, only made one person to populate this world, hopefully after it had cooled down sufficiently to do so, thought so little of femininity that he took one of Adam’s ribs to make her.
Tests have shown many times that even a small group of people are unable to pass a message from one to the other down the line, and have it correctly reproduced at the end.
Comment by Jim — June 16, 2010 @ 3:11 am
First, it is necessary to understand the notion of Literary genre (I’m not sur of how to say it in English) : the symbolic meaning of Genesis integrates (in the catholic understanding, not evangelic) Darwin’s theory without any problem.
Second : your test were made on people coming from a culture of writing, not an oral one.
Third : if God has something to say through a story, he’s big enough to watch that the deep meaning stays trough the different versions.
Comment by Raooooul — June 16, 2010 @ 1:05 pm
Discovering Shell-Shocks and PTSD 14-18 AEF Study (T-001)…
I found your entry interesting thus I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog
…
Trackback by RESSOURCES FOR THOSE WHO HELP — June 17, 2010 @ 2:11 am
@Raoooul
1. If “the symbolic meaning of Genesis integrates Darwin’s theory without any problem” how do you explain the two distintly different version of creation in the book of Genesis: one by the El god (a Babylonian god) and one by the Yahweh god (a Middle Eastern desert god)? Which myth is symbolically correct, and why is the other one included in the book?
2a. Where is your evidence that people coming from an oral culture are immune, or even significantly better, at repeating spoken material correctly after many repetitions, even from the same person let alone through several others? Are you familiar with studies which have tested your hypothesis that those from oral traditions make no mistakes in passing the material from one generation to another.
2b. How do you account for the variety of copies of the various books included in the Christian Bible, which have wildly different texts?
3. It is apparent that your version of god is not “big” enough to ensure that his followers agree of the “deep meaning that stays through the different versions”. The world of Christendom is one seething mess of incompatible interpretations of these texts and of the traditions behind them. This is not helped by the fact that the bulk of the original scriptures were written in minor world languages which are no longer spoken and which is re-interpreted every time they are translated into another language. An all-knowledgable being would be well aware of the serious problems attached to this method of information dissemination. An all-wise and all-powerful one would have avoided them. If Jesus shared these characteristics he would have written his own book in all the major languages of the world or turned up in all the major and remote cultures so that every human had a fair and equal chance of getting the message – unless they were deaf, blind or intellectually impaired. He would have at least picked disciples who were literate in at least one language.
In other words, your version of god is fatally impaired.
Comment by Rosita — June 29, 2010 @ 3:09 pm
Allah ki maa ki choot, Allah lund kata suar. Jesus bhonsdi waala, Jesus ki maa Mary lendi lund darjan, kendi mein ta virgin … ma chuda lo anrej madarchod chutiyon.
Comment by Golibaaj — July 5, 2010 @ 1:50 pm
First, I’m happy to have you publish my e-mail– ebuckner@atheists.org –and second, let me (belatedly) commend you for letting loose upon the world so much fine humor and rich wisdom, both in your original 25 and then through your contributors (most of them anyway). This site is well worth referring others to from anywhere.
Bravo and thanks.
If you update your list at some time in the future, please allow me to send you a copy first of Baubles of Blasphemy by Edwin F. Kagin–published first by the Atlanta Freethought Society and more recetly by American Atheist Press.
With especially high regards,
Ed Buckner
President, American Atheists
Comment by Ed Buckner — July 15, 2010 @ 7:55 pm
A wonderful French writer said,
Once you can get a person to believe absurbities;
You can get them to commit atrocities!
Comment by Cliff Kelsall — July 21, 2010 @ 5:59 am
Religions are cults. They ostracize and demolish the human spirit. They justify war crimes. There is no promised immortality. All religions can suck my dick.
Comment by Jesse Hopkins — July 27, 2010 @ 1:00 am
Um.
Grossly abusive or insulting comments? Moot.
Grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred? It’s possible some comments are. The majority of comments aren’t even about matters “held sacred”.
Thereby causing outrage to a substantial number of adherents? Yes, you have a readership of religious adherents who are positively apoplectic.
Intent to cause such outrage? Mmm, of course, publishing comments on a site highlighting the folly of a piece of legislation demonstrates a clear intent to outrage.
Intent to mock the Defamation Act. PASS!
The Act is nonsensical, but claiming it curtails the freedom of expression or silences the exchange of ideas is bizarre.
Expressing an opinion, criticism, repudiation, negative thought or feeling is entirely different from being abusive or insulting. Not even if every adherent is outraged.
Being abusive or insulting hasn’t been criminalised either. Unless your intent in expressing it is to cause outrage… to a substantial number of adherents.
So it is against the law to succeed in a mission to cause outrage amongst people who have beliefs which fall under a particular definition by being grossly abusive about what they hold sacred. Shocking violation of your rights.
The Act is unjust because does not regard all people as equal before the law.
100% support a referendum to completely secularise the Constitution.
Comment by Feuille de Violette. — July 30, 2010 @ 10:21 am
God is dead
Karl Marx is dead
Henry Miller is dead
And I’m already feeling quite sick too.
Comment by Charlie — July 31, 2010 @ 1:56 am
The three Abrahamic desert cults are nothing but a telephone game gone horribly wrong.
Comment by Anon — August 18, 2010 @ 11:17 pm
Listen to yourselves, some of you commenters. Your language and your abusive comments against God are appaulling and some of them could be blasphemy themselves. Blasphemy is committed against God and cannot be committed against other people. Some of these comments are also disgusting and insulting to people who believe in God. Why do some of you commenters sound so angry against God. Could it be you really want to believe in God. Why say with conviction “There is no goddam god” – sorry but you will be in for a rude awakening. As for the scandals in the Catholic Church – peadophiles lurk in all areas of society and even moreso some years back – there was hardly a family which didn’t house one or two of them. Who is going to hunt them down? Or the ones in families right to this present day. Good and bad exist everywhere and in every profession. Just remember the old saying “If you have nothing good to say, say nothing. But this must apply firstly and foremostly to God. My father used to say to us “If you don’t do it for love, you will do it for fear”. So I say to those who would mock God, If you don’t stop these comments for love, stop them for fear. Because one day you will suit before Him, as surely as you are reading this comment now. Think about it.
Comment by irishpoetry — August 22, 2010 @ 7:04 pm
Studying comparative religion, history and science basically obliterated my religious faith.
Jesus is a solar myth and Yahweh is a volcano god. It’s so freaking obvious.
All religions on this planet eventually go back to nature worship.
They must borrow from each other in order to survive.
Comment by Anon — August 26, 2010 @ 2:32 am
God av laughed at some of this man…I do have a spiritual side though but I choose to think bollocks to all of religions shite, especially the ones where they get to shag kids or blow up innocent people!
Lets just riot and slap the crap out of all these dicks and there arse hole governments backing it up then take their cash, fix the world and we’ll probably have enough left to have a good old piss up ?
Comment by Robbin Itall — September 27, 2010 @ 1:32 am
I loved the “Flying Spaghetti Monster is mushy and under-cooked” comment !
It got me thinking….
What this ridiculous law needs is a ridiculous test case – Arrange for 4/5 (ahem) genuine members of the Church of FSM to have their religion cruelly ridiculed and insulted by some other group. All done clearly, in front of witnesses – preferably in a crowded public space in Dublin. Said devotees then (with straight face essential!) petition for the law to be bought against the blasphemers.
Blasphemers unrepentant… become martyrs to the cause !
Good luck with fighting this backward law.
Comment by Stu, London — October 1, 2010 @ 1:31 pm
Fianna Fail spread her cheeks wide with eager anticipation as Jesus and the Holy Ghost drew straws for the honor of rewarding her with a rim job for returning Ireland to the Dark Ages.
Comment by Irish Folly — October 3, 2010 @ 5:25 pm
When I was a child, I was taken across the city to a school where the teachers wore funny black cloaks with hoods with a white starched collar around the front. These women, I was told, were “Nuns”. They told us funny stories about a man who walked on water and turned water into wine and did such incredulous things I could hardly believe them.
However, I was only a child and they were adults, so I had to believe the stories were true or burn forever in Hell!! Pretty scary stuff for a 5yr old… so I went to the Priest with the Nuns and the other children in Confessional and told him of my doubts and feelings. He told me I was sinful and had to do penance for my sins, then I could take “Communion”… It got even stranger from there onwards, when I spoke of my thoughts I was said to be a Heretic… what am I to do??
Comment by Francis O'Brien — October 28, 2010 @ 11:43 am
This new law is totally outrageous and highly irrational. What normal thinking intelligent human being is going to adhere to this nonsensical archaic Law. The Government of this country need to take their heads out of the stand. Now fine me any idiot who is reading this. God does not exist. Either does Santa Claus. Will there be a law next TO state that Ghosts, fairies and leprechauns don’t exist. Of all the laws in this stupid country this one has to be the mos inane law of all. I would say that 99% of the population would agree. There is no God. Priests are mentally Ill deluded fraudsters who don’t even realise it. Any body who believes in the fictional bible or a god of any kind is either deluded or mentally ill. I would say that rational people would agree. To attack irrational religious beliefs is an act of rationality by normal people. Atheism is not a religion. It is based on rational thought.
Comment by Jack — November 21, 2010 @ 2:59 pm
This new law is totally outrageous and highly irrational. What normal thinking intelligent human being is going to adhere to this nonsensical archaic Law. The Government of this country need to take their heads out of the sand. Now fine me any idiot who is reading this. God does not exist. Either does Santa Claus. Will there be a law next TO state that Ghosts, fairies and leprechauns don’t exist. Of all the laws in this stupid country this one has to be the mos inane law of all. I would say that 99% of the population would agree. There is no God. Priests are mentally Ill deluded fraudsters who don’t even realise it. Any body who believes in the fictional bible or a god of any kind is either deluded or mentally ill. I would say that rational people would agree. To attack irrational religious beliefs is an act of rationality by normal people. Atheism is not a religion. It is based on rational thought.
Comment by Jack — November 21, 2010 @ 3:00 pm
The Pope another Ill Person. Recently stated that all atheists were the same as Nazis. That is a totally absurd and irrational statement from mentally Ill PERSON.
He should go put a rope around his neck. Kill himself and float into his delusional after life. A message to the Pope. Get Your self checked into a mental institution. So that You may have a chance to be come a normal person. I am sorry if this annoys any idiot reading this. But that is the truth. You are people as well but come on please wake up from Your delusion. How dare the Government bring in this Law. They are nutters. They are giving more power to mentally ill priests to indoctrinate those that are stupid enough to listen to the nonsense that they utter. Who the Fuck do they think they are. Now any one who continues to practice religion any where, need their fucking heads examined by a highly qualified shrink. Can those of You who practice religion not realize that. Wake up from Your delusion.
Comment by Jack — November 21, 2010 @ 3:24 pm
What this law is effectively saying is if You act rational and sane You could be criminally charged and fined €25,000. And it is normal to be delusional.
Comment by Jack — November 21, 2010 @ 3:47 pm
I suppose the stupid government will bring in a law next, that if You state that Harry Potter is a book of fiction like the bible You could be charged with a crime and a hefty fine of €25,000.
Comment by Jack — November 21, 2010 @ 3:51 pm
Will the government of Ireland also bring in a crime that states that any psychiatrist or rational person for that matter who tells or tries to help a mentally Ill person in an psychiatric institution who are in a delusional state that the world is going to end, or that he or she believes themselves to be reincarnations of Stalin or Hitler for example. That those psychiatrists and rational people are going to be charged with a crime and fined €25,000, if they attempt to help these Ill delusionals. In other words they will be charged with a crime if they attack their delusional and irrational beliefs. This nonsensical blasphemy law is the exact same as the above mentioned hypothetical scenario.
Comment by Jack — November 21, 2010 @ 4:13 pm
This is beyond dangerous and taking us back thousands of years of perceptional evolution. How about religions stopping insults to one another, each religion differentiates between two people as blasphemers and non-blasphemers. This law is a form of discrimination, and giving power to fairy tales. if one should respect religion than religion should have respect for others as well, if religion has the right to punish people when a so called insult to their sacred ideals is said, then agnostics and atheists must as well have a right to punish religious people when they claim unbelievable claims that are insults to the logic agnostics have.
Comment by Ali — January 14, 2011 @ 4:21 am
Da iawn i chi.
Comment by steve jones — February 27, 2011 @ 10:18 am
I don’t know what everybody is complaining about. This is a great law! Finally, we can make illegal any religion that has a tenet that defames or contradicts the teaching of any other religion. That should take care of all of them.
Finally, a secular Ireland!
Methinks people should be careful of what they wish for…
Comment by Eric — March 9, 2011 @ 2:58 pm
Don’t believe in atheists. Reckon they’re just makey uppy myths to bore cildren to sleep.
Comment by John O'Driscoll — April 20, 2011 @ 8:42 pm
For a so-called “democratic” country the introduction of blasphemy laws is highly irresponsible. We now see the situation in Pakistan where anyone can be accused for blasphemy without proof, and runs the risk of life-long imprisonment or even execution. Ireland cannot now any more be counted among democratic countries. Dimwitted, superstitious and idiotic people in government are the greatest enemies of democracy. Religion and democracy don’t mix. Welcome to the Middle-Ages!
Comment by Alexander Hellemans — April 27, 2011 @ 8:10 pm
Can someone please advise me here. I am planning on staging the Irish Premier production of Jerry Springer,the Opera. It is definitely irreverent to the Catholic Church and contains pretty racy language etc. What is my position with this new blasphemy law?
Comment by John Donnelly — May 19, 2011 @ 6:02 pm
The catholic church in Germany and Austria (amongst others) is allowed to demand taxes (usually around 1%) from members, irrespective of their earning level. They regularly send letters threatening legal action for non-payment, usually after one has not paid for two years or more. It does come to court orders and forced sale of possessions. I know because they are currently trying to initiate legal action against me (I am Irish and living in a country where this is the case). Both of these countries also have similar anti-blasphemy laws. Now to my point, further to the point being made by some of the quotes above, anti-blasphemy laws could, and should if they are to be taken seriously as a law, lead to exceedingly farcical situations. It would be highly interesting to have a case where a person is being prosecuted for blasphemy against a religion and being brought to court for non-payment of taxes to that religion at the same time….
Comment by GodAteMySandwich — June 18, 2011 @ 11:05 am
What a shame it is to hear about this issue and subsequent laws taking hold in the land of my ancestors. Thank god (figure of speech) I’m an American, and yet we still have useless religious nut-bags running around here too, mucking everything up. Wouldn’t it be great to drag every christian, every muslim out into the street and cut their heads off all at the same time? It really seems like the only way to purge the human race of these delusional people (because, they just get together and breed, popping out more of their unintelligent off-spring, and raising them with the same delusional ideas they actually believe are real; gotta be a genetic defect in there somewhere that needs to be removed.) Of course, that’s nothing more than a genocidal fantasy. Unless anyone has any good ideas on how to actually get that done? Anyone?
Never thought I’d live to see the day when Ireland was afraid of it’s own words, or anyone’s opinion. Shame on you all for letting this happen. Oh and, no need to chastise me on my hateful sentiments toward religion and the religious people of the world, I fully embraced my hatred of it, especially toward christians and muslims. Way to go! You’ve fucked up a perfectly good planet and ruined the species. Good for you.
Comment by I. Hate Your-god — August 28, 2011 @ 10:29 pm
http://goodlord.tumblr.com/
share the blasphemy around you with millions
Comment by Good Lord — October 2, 2011 @ 10:27 am
Eventhough I do not agree with atheists generally I do agree on this particular point. Everyone should have a right to doubt or even dismiss another’s beliefs.Anti-Blasphemy laws are bad business for all (except muslims i guess) as they stiffle debate, questioning, debating, rebating, etc. Freedom of expression is paramount in a democracy and the new laws are against it. I will defend the right of people to blaspheme God even if i don’t agree with their statements.I want people to be able to read B.Russel, Ibn-Al-Warraq ,Dawkins,Gould, Hitchens,etc. and I’m saying that as a New Born Again Christian
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American here, but feel a need to comment. Does the passage of this law mean that the majority of Irish citizens support it? If I were an Irish skeptic, I’d be worried. Were I an Irish Catholic, I’d be insulted, for I would not ask for such “protection”.
If there is an infinite God, then he needs no laws to protect him. No, these laws are only for the protection of those timid souls who fear any difference of opinion, and especially for those who fear that their own ideas cannot be defended.
I try not to deliberately insult anyone personally, but attacking ideas one thinks are foolish or harmful is to me almost a moral duty. How will we learn and grow without debates over ideas?
I am not Catholic, but I do think that there are some unfair and unkind comments here. There is no reason, for example, to think that most priests are pedophiles. Many are good people trying to do good, though I think that many of their ideas do harm.
My beef is with bad ideas, not the victims of those ideas. Irrational ideas can harm everyone, not just the believer, and this law is an example of this.
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Comment by tv amr — April 19, 2012 @ 7:20 pm
I am an adherent of a liberal, nondogmatic form of Judaism. I and my co-worshipers are definitely religious — we pray, hold worship services and Bible studies, etc, etc. At the same time we feel that each person should believe whatever appears most true to them, and that one person shouldn’t look down on another because of their beliefs [or lack thereof, which is also fine]. What is important to us is not doctrine but principles of love and compassion and integrity and other similarly important things and *this* is what we discuss and try to put into practice.
As to the question at hand, I too am opposed to any anti-blasphemy laws. Anyone should have the right to clearly and emphatically express their opinions about any religion or all religions, whatever those opinions might be, without fear of punishment by law.
That said: each person has a right to be treated with the same consideration and respect and [in the larger sense] love that we want to be treated with. This is true even of people who do not themselves adhere to this principle. If you think a certain religion’s [or all religions'] teachings are dangerous nonsense, and you feel like saying so, by all means do that. But please, put it in a way which is not purposely insulting or intended to cause other people pain. I myself think there are forms of religion — including forms of Judaism — which are harmful both to those who believe in them and to the rest of us, so I am sometimes in the same position as anti-religious people find themselves. But the Golden Rule still applies. And *that* is more important than any and all arguments over beliefs. The New Testament — which has much that I like and much that I don’t like — says that anyone who says he loves God but does not love his fellow human beings is a liar. It says to “speak the truth in love” and I think both parts of that are equally important.
One more point — frankly I think that people who consider it necessary to devote a whole lot of their time to angrily and rudely denouncing religion [or any particular thing] may well have a personal emotional issue underlying that, which it would be in their own best interest to deal with. This is independent of whether or not what they’re saying is true.
Thanks for reading this and best wishes to everyone who has posted comments here.
Comment by David — April 30, 2012 @ 3:59 am