Ireland to repeal its Blasphemy Law?

A stark example of where blasphemy laws can lead

Remember that medieval Blasphemy Law that Ireland passed earlier this year? The one worded so horribly vaguely – affecting anyone who “publishes or utters matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion” – that it could lead to anyone who so much as blogs about their criticism of religion being slapped with a €25,000 ($35,000 USD) fine? Well, you might also remember Atheist Ireland’s campaign against this archaic travesty against free speech, including their publishing of 25 “blasphemous” quotes in direct challenge of the new law.

Finally, some promising bit of good news: it seems that their pressure exerted upon the government to repeal this law may be working, as the the Irish justice minister, the man who implemented the €25,000 fine in the first place, is now proposing that the law be trashed.

Dermot Ahern, the justice minister, is proposing that a vote to remove the criminal offence of blasphemy be held as part of a planned series of referendums this autumn, writes Stephen O’Brien.

[…]

A final decision on a blasphemy referendum rests with the cabinet, but if Ahern remains justice minister after this month’s reshuffle, he is likely to propose that it be added to the autumn list. The government is already committed to referendums on children’s rights and establishing a permanent court of civil appeal.

The plebiscites are expected to take place in October, on the same day as the a vote for a new directly elected mayor of Dublin, and three Dail by-elections in Donegal South-West, Dublin South and Waterford.

[…]

A defamation bill was already in preparation when Ahern became justice minister in May 2008.

Ahern then said he had three options: to abandon the bill; to hold a single-issue referendum to remove the constitutional reference to blasphemy; or to update the references in the 1961 Defamation Act.

Opting for reform, he said he had removed the seven-year jail sentence from the old legislation.

Nothing’s certain yet, as it will all come down to the referendum – one that has only been proposed (but is expected to occur) – but this is definitely a large step in the right direction. It’s somewhat chilling to note that the original bill actually included a 7-year jail sentence, probably in addition to the colossal fine, which indicates that this mentality of protectionism towards religious pearl-clutchers is perhaps more deeply-rooted in Ireland, or at least the Irish legislature, than may at first appear.

(via Friendly Atheist)