Who said the Irish were dumb?

[stui magpie]

Scotch finger biscuits.


Ehhhh, no. Sorry, that just came automatically to mind.

From the country that in the very recent past has dragged itself from the late 19th century into the 21st century by first legalising same sex marriage and then abortion, they now look to amend their constitution to remove the offence of Blasphemy.

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/27/europe/ireland-blasphemy-referendum-president-intl/index.html

Good on em.

[thesoretoothsayer]

Funny, because the European Court of Human Rights (which, I believe, all EU nations are subject to) seems to have just instituted blasphemy laws across Europe:
https://reason.com/blog/2018/10/25/european-court-womans-defamation-muhamma

[David]

It’s a single case, but I agree that it sets a terrible precedent (and I can’t see any justification for this woman being prosecuted in this case):

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/28/none-of-us-should-enjoy-the-right-to-have-our-beliefs-shielded-from-abuse

However much it’s been employed from time to time by sectarians and hatemongers, blasphemy is and always has been a crucial method of dissent against brainwashers and purveyors of dogma. No society that genuinely values free speech should tolerate laws against it, and no society that enforces blasphemy laws is truly secular. I’m glad to see that Ireland, at least, is finally freeing itself from the church’s iron grip.

[Tannin]

Agreed.

And agreed.

And agreed.

Look, its not unusual for me to agree with David. And, curiously enough, I agree with Stui fairly frequently. But for me to agree with Thesoretoothsayer and David and Stui .... I think I had better ban myself for a couple of weeks just to be safe.

[thesoretoothsayer]

strange times make for strange bedfellows.