Tags: atheists | law | blasphemy | Ireland

Irish Atheists Defy New Blasphemy Law

Monday, 04 January 2010 09:55 AM EST


An atheist group in the Irish Republic has defied a new blasphemy law by publishing a series of anti-religious quotations on its website.

Atheist Ireland says it will fight any action taken against it in court.

The quotations include the words of writers such as Mark Twain and Salman Rushdie, but also Jesus Christ, the Prophet Muhammad and Pope Benedict XVI.

The new law makes blasphemy a crime punishable by a fine of up to $35,000.

The government says it is needed because the republic's 1937 constitution only gives Christians legal protection of their beliefs.

The new law was passed in July 2009 but came into force on 1 January.

To read full BBC story — Go Here Now.

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Europe
atheists,law,blasphemy,Ireland
118
2010-55-04
Monday, 04 January 2010 09:55 AM
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