Starting January 1st, 2010, it is now a crime to publish or utter matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion. The new “Blasphemy Law” sets a punishment of a €25,000 fine for the egregious offense.
The Irish activist group, Atheist Irelend, has decided to make the new law it’s focus for the time being. They have published a list of 25 “blasphemous” quotations by famous people throughout history. The law-beakers include Jesus Christ, Muhammad, Mark Twain, Tom Lehrer, Randy Newman, Monty Python, Frank Zappa, Salman Rushdie, Bjork, George Carlin, Richard Dawkins, Pope Benedict XVI, and Christopher Hitchens.
Bjork, 1995
“I do not believe in religion, but if I had to choose one it would be Buddhism. It seems more livable, closer to men… I’ve been reading about reincarnation, and the Buddhists say we come back as animals and they refer to them as lesser beings. Well, animals aren’t lesser beings, they’re just like us. So I say fuck the Buddhists.”
Mark Twain,1909 When describing the Christian Bible in Letters from the Earth
“Also it has another name – The Word of God. For the Christian thinks every word of it was dictated by God. It is full of interest. It has noble poetry in it; and some clever fables; and some blood-drenched history; and some good morals; and a wealth of obscenity; and upwards of a thousand lies… But you notice that when the Lord God of Heaven and Earth, adored Father of Man, goes to war, there is no limit. He is totally without mercy – he, who is called the Fountain of Mercy. He slays, slays, slays! All the men, all the beasts, all the boys, all the babies; also all the women and all the girls, except those that have not been deflowered. He makes no distinction between innocent and guilty… What the insane Father required was blood and misery; he was indifferent as to who furnished it.”
Read the entire list at Blasphamy.ie
Irish atheists use Bjork, Mark Twain to challenge blasphemy law (CNN)
Irish atheists challenge blasphemy law (BBC)
See what George Carlin said:
