Faith-based politics, part deux

April 30, 1:26 PMManchester Atheism ExaminerBarbara L Bell

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I should have waited a couple of more days before submitting my last article. This just popped up on the radar: Crime of blasphemous libel proposed for Defamation Bill in the Irishtimes.com.

The column quotes the existing Article 40 of their Constitution: “The State shall endeavour to ensure that organs of public opinion, such as the radio, the press, the cinema, while preserving their rightful liberty of expression, including criticism of Government policy, shall not be used to undermine public order or morality or the authority of the State.

“The publication or utterance of blasphemous, seditious, or indecent material is an offence which shall be punishable in accordance with law.”

Side note: I may be missing something here, but it looks like they want their cake (free speech) and to eat it too (but only government approved cake).

One of their ministers wants to codify the restriction on speech by adding into a Defamation Bill currently in the works: “A person who publishes or utters blasphemous matter shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable upon conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €100,000.” To make it more fun, anyone convicted can have their home entered and searched for more blasphemous material.

The minister defines ‘blasphemous matter’ as speech that is grossly abusive or insulting in religious sacred matters and upsets a group of believers. Well that could be anything. What if a Catholic said they liked being Catholic and thought it was better than being a Protestant – and folks got upset? Would that Catholic have to pay €100,000? And have her home searched and private property seized? And that’s just using a couple of Christian groups as examples. The overwhelming numbers of religions in this world, and their corresponding variety of flavors within each religion, is, well, overwhelming. How can someone not get offended? For scientists, adhering to the facts of evolution and not believing in creationism could be blasphemous. For an atheist, just saying we don’t believe could also be considered blasphemous. For that matter, many people are offended that atheists even exist. Would our very existence be considered blasphemy?

If passed, I see a court system clogged up with never-ending prosecutions of blasphemy.

While on some level that would be amusing, in the end, it simply does not help society. Focus on truly important issues will be turned to focus on hurt feelings. That is not the role of government.

The Irishtimes.com also has a great Opinion piece on this new assault on free speech and freedom of religion. I can only hope they do the right thing.

Reminder: The National Day of Reason is May 7, 2009.