A blasphemy art exhibition in Dublin during February is a direct response to the new Irish blasphemy law. It’s a fascinating show, and well worth a visit.
It is on in the Oonagh Young Gallery in James Joyce Street (formerly Corporation Street) off Talbot Street until Saturday 27 February, and is open from 12 to 6pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
This Wednesday at 7pm there is a special screening of Rocky Road to Dublin and The Making of Rocky Road to Dublin, which should be watched by anyone interested in secularism and censorship in Ireland.
In this article, first published in the Irish Times on July 10, Michael Nugent describes why the blasphemy law is dangerous, silly and unjust.
Why has Dermot Ahern, in 2009, made blasphemy a crime punishable by a fine of €25,000? When this anachronistic part of the now Defamation Act is signed into law (it passed through the Oireachtas last night but only on the casting vote of the chair of the Seanad), Atheist Ireland will quickly test it by publishing a blasphemous statement. People need protection from harm, but ideas and beliefs should always be open to challenge.
Father Ted creators Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan are supporting a challenge by Atheist Ireland to the new blasphemy law. If the bill becomes law, which may happen this week or next, Atheist Ireland will challenge it by publishing a blasphemous statement.
The Observer article also mentions our AGM next Saturday from 2-5 pm in Wynns Hotel in Dublin. Members of the public are welcome. Please come along and bring any friends who you think might be interested in campaigning against this law and for an ethical secular Ireland.
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)
The first public meeting against the blasphemy law took place on Thursday 21 May 2009 in the Tower Hotel, Waterford. Here are the speeches by Michael Nugent, chair of Atheist Ireland and Barry Grant, Waterford citizen and campaigner.
Michael Nugent outlines the context of the proposed law
Barry Grant analyses the detail of the proposed law