Banning blasphemy
A new law in Ireland can fine a person up to $35,000 if they publish or utter “matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion.” Despite the undefined nature of “substantial number”, the law is a major challenge to free speech in Ireland. According to a Washington Post article, an atheist organization in Ireland is directly challenging the law by publicly posting blasphemous quotations from major religious and literary figures in history. We’ve written numerous times about the boundaries of free expression. Most likely there is a worthwhile line between free speech and hate speech, but has Ireland gone too far?
-Marc
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