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Ireland's lack of action on blasphemy law disappoints atheists and secularists
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/30/ireland-blasphemy-law-inaction-disappoints-atheistsIrish atheists and secularists have accused their government of breaking a promise to call a referendum over the Republic’s controversial blasphemy laws in the lifetime of the current coalition.
Atheist Ireland expressed disappointment that the government had quietly dropped plans for a plebiscite to rid the country of the legislation, which secularists have argued are incompatible with modern Ireland.
...
The law defines blasphemy as “publishing or uttering matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion, with some defences permitted”.
Atheist Ireland expressed disappointment that the government had quietly dropped plans for a plebiscite to rid the country of the legislation, which secularists have argued are incompatible with modern Ireland.
...
“Ireland’s blasphemy law will continue to give encouragement to Islamic states at the UN, as they point to a modern western democracy passing a new blasphemy law in the 21st century when defending their own blasphemy and apostasy laws.”
The law defines blasphemy as “publishing or uttering matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion, with some defences permitted”.