Dermot Ahern’s Proposed Blasphemous Libel Law
Posted on April 30, 2009 - Filed Under Ireland, Politics, Religion | Leave a Comment
This debate is a little tiresome and legalistic, but in essence the Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern has proposed making blasphemous libel a criminal offence, punishable by a fine of up to €100,000. This article provides a bit more context, with Ahern explaining that he has to introduce a law like this since it is prescribed in the constitution, and so the choice is either introduce the law or hold a referendum. This op-ed by Carol Coulter argues against introducing such a law and illustrates that it runs counter to previous pronouncements by the current government.
For what it’s worth, I don’t think that there should be a law against blasphemy, and I believe that the existence of any such law would dull public discourse and free expression. The very possibility of prosecution would cause editors to hold back from publishing any material that some nutjob religious fundy could claim to take offence to, and so I don’t see how this law could be anything but extremely harmful. Let’s just tweak the constitution with a referendum the next time an election swings round.
Update: There’s a more learned take on the matter over at The Jackanory, and as usual Twenty Major’s perspective is well worth reading (“This is possibly the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. It’s like saying you can be fined for libelling Santa Claus or the fucking Tooth Fairy…”).
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