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Is Anything Sacred? A public discussion of blasphemy laws

  • 28-01-2012 12:34pm
    #1
    Michael Nugent
    Registered Users Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭ Michael Nugent


    Atheist Ireland is hosting a public discussion on Irish and international blasphemy laws from 2 to 5 pm tomorrow, Sunday 29 January, in the O’Callaghan Alexander Hotel on Fenian Street, Dublin 2, which is behind TCD and near Merrion Square.

    Two international experts on blasphemy laws will be speaking: Austin Dacey Ph.D from New York and Professor David Nash of Oxford Brookes University.

    The meeting will discuss

    The international impact of the Irish blasphemy law, including its use by Pakistan at the United Nations.

    The current case in Indonesia where civil servant Alex Aan is facing five years in prison for writing on Facebook that God does not exist.

    A proposal to amend the Irish blasphemy law before holding a referendum to remove the blasphemy clause from the Irish Constitution.

    Speakers will include

    Michael Nugent, Chairperson of Atheist Ireland, who have been campaigning to repeal the Irish blasphemy law since it became active in January 2010 as part of the Defamation Act 2009.

    Austin Dacey Ph.D from New York, author of The Secular Conscience and the recently published The Future of Blasphemy, and a representative to the United Nations for the International Humanist and Ethical Union.

    Professor David Nash of Oxford Brookes University, UK, author of Blasphemy in the Christian World, who is researching and working with Atheist Ireland on the campaign to repeal the Irish blasphemy law.

    Further Information

    http://atheist.ie
    http://www.austindacey.com/
    http://history.brookes.ac.uk/staff/prof.asp?ID=585


Comments

  • #2
    Michael Nugent
    Registered Users Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭ Michael Nugent


    Just to add, if you can't get there in person, this event will be streamed live on

    http://www.ustream.tv/user/AtheistIreland


  • #3
    Genghiz Cohen
    Registered Users Posts: 7,198 ✭ Genghiz Cohen


    Michael Nugent wrote: »
    Just to add, if you can't get there in person, this event will be streamed live on

    http://www.ustream.tv/user/AtheistIreland

    Will there be recordings too?


  • #4
    Arcus Arrow
    Registered Users Posts: 296 ✭✭ Arcus Arrow


    A talk on blasphemy hosted by an organisation that depends on censorship to maintain its image: how ironic. Any comments they don't like they delete from their website and as of the last few weeks posts are vetted for content. In the meantime they sneak around behind the scenes on other sites (like this one) cajoling and/or threatening moderators in an effort to deflect criticism.

    Champions of free speech (Irish version not to be confused with the real thing).


  • #5
    biko
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators, Regional North Mods, Regional West Moderators Posts: 81,471 Mod ✭✭✭✭ biko


    Is it possible to view this today?


  • #6
    robindch
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 24,239 Mod ✭✭✭✭ robindch


    Arcus Arrow wrote: »
    In the meantime they sneak around behind the scenes on other sites (like this one) cajoling and/or threatening moderators in an effort to deflect criticism.
    Arcus - you were asked a few weeks back to keep your personal gripes to yourself, but you haven't. Please hold...


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  • #7
    Dades
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 25,537 Mod ✭✭✭✭ Dades


    Arcus Arrow is taking a permanent holiday from A&A.

    Boards is not to be used as a platform for personal campaigns.


  • #8
    MrPudding
    Registered Users Posts: 9,796 ✭✭✭ MrPudding


    Waits for feedback thread accusing a&a mods of being in cahoots with atheist Ireland in suppressing dissenting views.

    MrP


  • #9
    Michael Nugent
    Registered Users Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭ Michael Nugent


    biko wrote: »
    Is it possible to view this today?
    It might be online later today, I am not sure, but it will definitely be online sometime this week.


  • #10
    Michael Nugent
    Registered Users Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭ Michael Nugent


    Video from Sunday's meeting should be online tomorrow.

    Meanwhile, Senator Ivana Bacik yesterday requested a Senate debate on the Irish blasphemy law and its international implications, following a briefing by Atheist Ireland of politicians in Leinster House on Tuesday. Senator Maurice Cummins responded that the Government can certainly look at this.

    Here is Senator Bacik’s contribution on the Seanad Order of Business:

    I call for a debate on blasphemy law. There was an excellent briefing yesterday from Professor David Nash of Oxford Brookes University, a leading expert on blasphemy, who spoke about the international impact of the passage of the 2009 Defamation Act in Ireland, particularly section 36, which created a new statutory offence of blasphemy. There was an excellent debate on it in this House, and many colleagues participated in it.

    There is an issue as there was an adverse international impact, with certain countries adopting Irish arguments on blasphemy and using this to bolster prejudice against different religions, even Christian religions in Islamic countries. We have also seen that Ireland has gone against the EU norm in adopting a new statutory definition of blasphemy based on a definition of offence.

    It is outdated and I am glad it is up for review in the programme for Government. We must move forward by having a debate in the House on how we can ensure incitement to religious hatred laws are strengthened in the Statute Book. We no longer need an offence of blasphemy.


  • #11
    Michael Nugent
    Registered Users Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭ Michael Nugent


    Video from the meeting is now online on YouTube.


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