Even the atheists are right about this one. These laws will restrict even good intolerant speech about false religions and make it even harder for the Catholic Church in Ireland to do its job. This is yet another reason why the Irish Republic was a bad idea when it was first conceived and remains a bad idea today, but so much worse for its execution. It must make laws to appease the invisible authocracy of "consensus" but only does so in the name of a non-existent popular sovereignty.
Secular campaigners in the Irish Republic defied a strict new blasphemy law which came into force today by publishing a series of anti-religious quotations online and promising to fight the legislation in court.
The new law, which was passed in July, means that blasphemy in Ireland is now a crime punishable with a fine of up to €25,000 (£22,000).
It defines blasphemy as "publishing or uttering matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion, with some defences permitted".
Link to remainder of Guardian article...
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