blasphemy.ie » Ian O’Doherty

Speeches from Dublin Meeting

Michael Nugent — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:08:43 +0000

Here are the speeches from the recent Dublin meeting against the proposed Irish blasphemy law, along with discussion from the floor and responses from the panelists. There are nine videos, covering 80 minutes of the meeting. Thanks to Paul for filming and uploading them.

Introduction by Michael Nugent, writer and chair of Atheist Ireland
(10 mins: introducing the blasphemy law and the Church of Dermotology)

Robbie Bonham, comedian and cartoonist, on artistic expression
(10 mins: includes end of Michael Nugent speech; Robbie Bonham introduced at 0:55)

Dick Spicer, Humanist Association of Ireland, on campaigning
(10 mins: includes intro by Michael Nugent; Dick Spicer introduced at 0:55 secs)

Ian O’Doherty, newspaper columnist, on freedom of expression
(10 mins: includes end of Dick Spicer speech; Ian O’Doherty introduced at 2:10)

Ian O’Doherty and Audience Discussion Part 1
(10 mins: includes end of Ian O’Doherty speech; Audience discussion begins at 2:40)

Audience Discussion Part 2
(5 mins: continuation of discussion from audience)

More details of the law and comments from panel
(10 mins: Starts with Michael Nugent; Dick Spicer begins at 6:20)

More comments from panel in response to discussion
(10 mins: Robbie Bonham at 0:45; Ian O’Doherty at 3:51; Michael Nugent at 6:33)

More comments from panel in response to discussion
(5 mins: Michael Nugent on atheism, secularism, morality and the blasphemy law)

Public Meeting Next Monday in Dublin

Michael Nugent — Tue, 19 May 2009 11:59:29 +0000

PUBLIC MEETING – BLASPHEMY IS A VICTIMLESS CRIME

VENUE: WYNN’S HOTEL, ABBEY STREET, DUBLIN
DATE: MONDAY 25th MAY TIME: 8-10pm

The Dublin meeting is the second of several to be held around the country, organised by Atheist Ireland, an advocacy group for an ethical and secular Ireland. Speakers will include:

Michael Nugent, chair of Atheist Ireland and co-author of the play I Keano
Ian O’Doherty, columnist with Independent newspapers
Dick Spicer, chair of the Humanist Association of Ireland
Robbie Bonham, comedian and cartoonist

Please circulate this information to anyone you know, particularly to people from Dublin. Thanks.

Transubstantiation and Desert Superstitions

Michael Nugent — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:18:48 +0000

Publishing or saying this could be illegal in Ireland if the new blasphemy law is passed:

“(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.”

Ian O’Doherty, Irish Independent, March 6 2009