Gardaí launch blasphemy probe into Stephen Fry

learn_more · 06-05-2017 04:52PM

Phoebas wrote: »

It was also reported by RTE, Newstalk, the Mirror and the Sun .

Edit: And the BBC.

Really? Oh great. A nice little embarrassing story for our Country.

MonkieSocks · 06-05-2017 07:05PM

This Guy Is Great

Pawwed Rig · 06-05-2017 07:08PM

learn_more wrote: »

Really? Oh great. A nice little embarrassing story for our Country.

It's ok. The Brits already think we're gobshytes after bankrupting ourselves a few years back. Stories like this, blessing roads in Mayo, visions of Mary in a tree stump in Limerick etc just confirm it to them.

Murrisk · 06-05-2017 07:09PM

"Thought police" laws are odd. Like the way it's illegal in some European countries to be a Holocaust denier. Like, I think Holocaust deniers are complete wackadoos but I don't understand how their opinion can be illegal.

valoren · 06-05-2017 07:18PM

Isn't Stephen Fry not Irish?

VinLieger · 06-05-2017 07:21PM

Murrisk wrote: »

"Thought police" laws are odd. Like the way it's illegal in some European countries to be a Holocaust denier. Like, I think Holocaust deniers are complete wackadoos but I don't understand how their opinion can be illegal.

Theres a difference between holding an opinion and expressing it.

People are punished for vocally denying it not for just thinking it.

Phoebas · 06-05-2017 07:35PM

valoren wrote: »

Isn't Stephen Fry not Irish?

Yes. He isn't.

Murrisk · 06-05-2017 07:40PM

VinLieger wrote: »

Theres a difference between holding an opinion and expressing it.

People are punished for vocally denying it not for just thinking it.

I'm aware of that, I still think that is most odd. It is still an example of the thought police. "You are not allowed to think that." Expressing an opinion is vocalising your thoughts. How on earth can an opinion be illegal? An opinion isn't necessarily right and I would suggest that Holocaust deniers will get short shrift if they vocalise their views, which seems to be a satisfying enough result. It's a dangerous road to travel down to punish people for not having the "right" views. What else will be judged as not "right"?

Christy42 · 06-05-2017 07:42PM

Murrisk wrote: »

"Thought police" laws are odd. Like the way it's illegal in some European countries to be a Holocaust denier. Like, I think Holocaust deniers are complete wackadoos but I don't understand how their opinion can be illegal.

I don't get how you can have an opinion on a fact? Saying in my opinion the holocaust did not happen is not a bloody opinion. They are simply wrong.

I can see having an opinion on whether or not the Catholic God is a moral one but not whether or not a historical event happened.

(Whether it should be illegal to be wrong about it is a different question but calling it an opinion is bull).

Murrisk · 06-05-2017 07:48PM

Christy42 wrote: »

I don't get how you can have an opinion on a fact? Saying in my opinion the holocaust did not happen is not a bloody opinion. They are simply wrong.

I totally agree with you, I think they are wrong. Like I said, I consider deniers to be wackadoos. But, btw, opinions are frequently wrong. An opinion doesn't have to be right. Thinking the holocaust didn't happen is absolutely an opinion. Pretty much the definition of one actually, seeing as opinions are often not based on fact.

That's not my point, my point is why would you criminalise people for expressing that wrong view?

please helpThank YOU · 06-05-2017 07:56PM

py2006 wrote: »

.......on 'The Meaning of Life'

No, this isn't a new episode of FATHER TED. This is real!

The article is here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suvkwNYSQo

Stephen Fry did nothing wrong in my opinion I watched the Video of Mr Fry and Gay Byrne. This to me show how backwards Ireland is and it show the how the Garda waste our tax payers money on malice investigation of non criminal incidents. This must go on all the Time in Garda Stations across Ireland wasting tax payers money no wonder the IMF had to bailout Ireland.

Peregrine · 06-05-2017 08:02PM

Heckler banned from the thread.

Allah snackbar · 06-05-2017 08:05PM

Rumpy Pumpy wrote: »

Is there any possibility that insufferable ballbag, Stephen Fry, could go to prison for this? I'd be in favour of that.

You show your ignorance on the matter astonishingly well

valoren · 06-05-2017 08:06PM

Phoebas wrote: »

Yes. He isn't.

Doesn't the law only apply to irish citizens? The report suggests it's Fry who could face charges but surely it's the producers that are liable under this 'law'.

BlinkingLights · 06-05-2017 08:12PM

Well there goes the country's reputation. We now join Alabama, Poland, Russia and so on in many people's minds.

I know everyone thinks this is all hilarious but if we start getting spurious use of blasphemy laws against people it won't be long before it will be against Google or Twitter for something they're hosting and then, its bye bye IT hosting facilities or HQ in Ireland.

Nonsensical legislation like this can end up biting us in the ass and costing people their jobs.

lawred2 · 06-05-2017 08:13PM

The_Valeyard wrote: »

One person made a complaint. He must have serious f*ck all to be doing with his or her life.

Why was the complaint now and not back when it aired? Something smells fishy about this.

Worst thing was that said complainant said 'it didn't bother them personally'

Sure it didn't you bleedin fruitloop

lawred2 · 06-05-2017 08:14PM

BlinkingLights wrote: »

Well there goes the country's reputation. We now join Alabama, Poland, Russia and so on in many people's minds.

I know everyone thinks this is all hilarious but if we start getting spurious use of blasphemy laws against people it won't be long before it will be against Google or Twitter for something they're hosting and then, its bye bye IT hosting facilities or HQ in Ireland.

Nonsensical legislation like this can end up biting us in the ass and costing people their jobs.

in the same few days as the Dail votes for penalties for not joining in on an old pray..

BlinkingLights · 06-05-2017 08:15PM

I would add, the damage is already done. They'll just read the Irish blasphemy law used against Fry story and even if this is never brought within 100 miles of a court, that's the only bit that will ever be picked up on as it reaffirms Ireland's reputation as a religious, conservative backwater.

lawred2 · 06-05-2017 08:16PM

expectationlost wrote: »

its clearly someone trying to test if the law is going to ever implemented.

interesting

this is Ireland though so Fry will probably go down for 7 to 10

Donald Trump · 06-05-2017 08:18PM

namloc1980 wrote: »

py2006 wrote: »

.......on 'The Meaning of Life'

No, this isn't a new episode of FATHER TED. This is real!

The article is here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suvkwNYSQo

Gaybo's face in that video is priceless!

Ah for feck sake.. It's 2017. You can't call "them" that these days (shouldn't even be saying "them" in fairness) . His personal life is none of your business and there's nothing wrong with it!
And, if anything, the face on whoever the old man is who is doing the interviewing is even more priceless

BlinkingLights · 06-05-2017 08:19PM

It's unlikely to be brought to court and it's also unlikely to be a winnable case by the state as there are defences there for academic and political use etc etc. Given it took place in a highly academic discussion, that's likely to be the end of the matter.

The law is an absolute embarsssment though and has been cited by all sorts of despot regimes as a model for their blasphemy legislation and a justification for having such laws.

Christy42 · 06-05-2017 08:19PM

Murrisk wrote: »

I totally agree with you, I think they are wrong. Like I said, I consider deniers to be wackadoos. But, btw, opinions are frequently wrong. An opinion doesn't have to be right. Thinking the holocaust didn't happen is absolutely an opinion. Pretty much the definition of one actually, seeing as opinions are often not based on fact.

That's not my point, my point is why would you criminalise people for expressing that wrong view?

No an opinion is on something subjective

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/opinion

First one seems to be appropriate and while there is certainly not enough evidence to say the holocaust did not happen there is enough the other way.

Thinking 2+2 =5 is not an opinion. It just means you are wrong. Those laws exist for other reasons than just causing offense. The rights and wrongs of these reasons are beyond the scope of this thread which is about an Irish law about offending people with your opinion.

lawred2 · 06-05-2017 08:19PM

BlinkingLights wrote: »

I would add, the damage is already done. They'll just read the Irish blasphemy law used against Fry story and even if this is never brought within 100 miles of a court, that's the only bit that will ever be picked up on as it reaffirms Ireland's reputation as a religious, conservative backwater.

Irish politicians tend to act fast when an American or a British person passes public comment on us...

maudgonner · 06-05-2017 08:20PM

Donald Trump wrote: »

Ah for feck sake.. It's 2017. You can't call "them" that these days (shouldn't even be saying "them" in fairness) .
And, if anything, the face on whoever the old man is who is doing the interviewing is even more priceless

Jaysus, you might be 'an American' but you should know who Uncle Gaybo is or be thrown off of Boards

BlinkingLights · 06-05-2017 08:20PM

lawred2 wrote: »

Irish politicians tend to act fast when an American or a British person passes public comment on us...

Well we deserve to be an international laughing sock over this one!

Someone here ought to have a look at what republicanism has tended to stand for and realise it's a lot more than just "not British"

Donald Trump · 06-05-2017 08:22PM

maudgonner wrote: »

Donald Trump wrote: »

Ah for feck sake.. It's 2017. You can't call "them" that these days (shouldn't even be saying "them" in fairness) .
And, if anything, the face on whoever the old man is who is doing the interviewing is even more priceless

Jaysus, you might be 'an American' but you should know who Uncle Gaybo is or be thrown off of Boards

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xECUrlnXCqk

lawred2 · 06-05-2017 08:24PM

BlinkingLights wrote: »

Well we deserve to be an international laughing sock over this one!

Indeed - could see it on something like Last Week tonight

They could also make a nice piece out of TDs voting to penalise TDs for not standing at prayer time.

And throw in a Healy Rae comment about Catholic Ireland -

And the NMH being handed to nuns

And the bishop sitting on the board

Put that in a 5 minute piece and it would paint a very grim picture.

They'd laugh. But we have to live with this sh!t.

2017! Mindboggling.

Donald Trump · 06-05-2017 08:26PM

lawred2 wrote: »

BlinkingLights wrote: »

Well we deserve to be an international laughing sock over this one!

Indeed - could see it on something like Last Week tonight

And making reference to penalising TDs for not standing for prayer time

And throw in a Healy Rae comment about Catholic Ireland - the NMH and the bishop sitting on the board

Put that in a 5 minute piece and it would paint a very grim picture.

2017! Mindboggling.

Newsflash. A new study has found that different people have different opinions, viewpoints and beliefs on a whole rang of topics.

Mindboggling indeed!

Murrisk · 06-05-2017 08:27PM

Christy42 wrote: »

No an opinion is on something subjective

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/opinion

The second definition there:

2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal

This is what it falls under. As you can see, there are numerous definitions for what an opinion is. Your link illustrates that. And here's the thing. People who deny it happened believe that they are interpreting the available correctly and everyone else is interpreting it wrong. They are relying on the notion that history is written by the victors. To them, the historical facts are subjective.

As for it being illegal because it causes offence. Well, I simply don't know what to do with that minefield. Something being illegal because it causes offence is a terrifying notion.

I simply can't fathom the notion that someone not accepting facts and vocalising that is something that should be illegal. If someone doesn't accept facts, let them off. What is the point of it being an offence?

BlinkingLights · 06-05-2017 08:28PM

You could add the Tuam horrors and the ongoing situation allowing schools to prioritise their own religious groupings when something like 92% of schools are catholic and 97% are religious.

Ireland has one foot in 2017 and the other in 1817.

Gardaí launch blasphemy probe into Stephen Fry

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