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.
The Minister for Justice is proposing to amend his new blasphemy law by providing, as a defence, that a person accused of blasphemy can “prove that a reasonable person would find genuine literary, artistic, political, scientific, or academic value” in the blasphemous matter.
He is not proposing to reduce the fine of €100,000, the onus of proof is on the defendant to prove this new line of defence, and the police may still seize and destroy blasphemous statements. The Minister’s proposed blasphemy law now reads like this:
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PUBLIC MEETING – BLASPHEMY IS A VICTIMLESS CRIME
- VENUE: THE TOWER HOTEL, WATERFORD CITY
- DATE: THURSDAY 21st MAY TIME: 8-10pm
The Waterford meeting is the first 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
- Barry Grant, Waterford resident and writer/film maker
- Other speakers to be confirmed
- Local politicians will be invited, including Deputy Brendan Kenneally, Chairman of the Select Joint Committee for Justice, and Deputy Brian O’Shea, also a member of said committee.
Please circulate this information to anyone you know, particularly to people from Waterford. Thanks.
Here are 100 ideas and arguments to stop the Irish blasphemy law from being passed, based on the many suggestions posted so far on blasphemy.ie. They include:
- Campaign slogans and ideas for lobbying
- Religious, social, political and legal arguments
- Matter that could be Illegal under the new law
- Quotes about blasphemy
The best of these ideas will form the basis of our campaign in the coming weeks. Please let us know what you think of them, and thanks again for your suggestions so far.
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