Saturday, January 02, 2010

Irish atheists publish challenge to new blasphemy law

Vanvouver Sun Jan 2

DUBLIN -- An Irish atheist group have begun a campaign to have a controversial new blasphemy law repealed by publishing 25 quotations it claims are blasphemous on its website. The new law that came into force on New Year's Day, making blasphemy a crime that can result in a fine of up to 25,000 euros (36,000 dollars), is "both silly and dangerous", according to Michael Nugent of Atheist Ireland. The group, which promotes a "rational, ethical, secular Ireland", has published quotations from the words of Jesus, Mohammed, Pope Benedict XVI, US guitarist Frank Zappa, Indian-British novelist Salman Rushdie, British comedy troupe Monty Python, former Northern Ireland first minister Ian Paisley and Irish Justice Minister Dermot Ahern.

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