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Dogma Free America is an atheist podcast broadcast every week. Minister Dermot Ahern has been given the unique distinction of winning their Jackass of the Week award twice. The first week (Episode 86 at 41:11) for his proposal to introduce Blasphemy legislation and the second week (Episode 88 at 04:25) for his “bemused” reaction to criticism of those plans. Well done Dermot!
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The Mid-west Humanists are co-sponsoring a public meeting with Atheist Ireland in an effort to stop the government from reviving a medieval crime and curtailing our freedom of expression. The Humanist Association of Ireland is currently running a campaign for Equality for the non-Religious. This is a wide-ranging campaign, covering the constitution, legislation and state practices. While blasphemy is only a small part of the campaign it is an excellent illustration of why we need a secular constitution and to face up to that need and not be looking for “an Irish solution to an Irish problem” which is what the government seems to be doing. Anyone who shares our aims should come along and have their say. Speakers will include Michael Nugent, Chair of Atheist Ireland. Local politicians will also be invited.
Date : Tuesday 16th June 2009 at 19:30
Venue : Carlton Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick.
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Just listen to this disgusting defender of child-raping priests. While I always considered Bill Donohue and his persecution complex vile, I am honestly stunned by how far he will take his delusion.
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Bertie Ahern Defends Church Abuse Deal
I have to say his justifications ring hollow to me. He sounds like he works for the Catholic Church.
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Watching videos like the one embedded below make me feel quite fortunate to have grown up in the modern Ireland, where a staunch Catholic upbringing wasn’t the ‘common sense’ approach to take.
Whenever I hear a disgustingly nostalgic account about the ‘Catholic Ireland’ that was left behind, I think about the testimonies of people like this whose lives have been shattered by those who once held a moral monopoly*.
[Brought to my attention via http://www.atheistmedia.com/]
Good riddance to Catholic Ireland.
*An interesting aside: Tom Inglis’ book ‘Moral Monopoly: The Irish Church in Modern Irish Society’ published in 1987 is a a fantastically relentless broadside against the evils perpetrated by the church from a pre-sex-scandal era. The 1998 updated edition: ‘Moral Monopoly: The Rise and Fall of the Catholic Church in Modern Ireland‘ dials back the tone considerably, and features an extra chapter cataloguing the ‘fall’ of the church in a rather sombre manner, as if eulogising a stern, misunderstood father, rather than the merciless tyrant that the first edition personified the institution as.
Why the rose-tinting, Irish commentators? Answers on a postcard in the comments!
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Who is the Designer in Intelligent Design?
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Just came across this
It seems that our government intends to give special privilege to religious sensibilities. What the fuck is going on here? And i quote…
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern proposes to insert a new section into the Defamation Bill, stating: “A person who publishes or utters blasphemous matter shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable upon conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €100,000.”
“Blasphemous matter” is defined as 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; and he or she intends, by the publication of the matter concerned, to cause such outrage.”
Where a person is convicted of an offence under this section, the court may issue a warrant authorising the Garda Síochána to enter, if necessary using reasonable force, a premises where the member of the force has reasonable grounds for believing there are copies of the blasphemous statements in order to seize them.
Is this idiot serious? What happened to freedom of expression in this country? Why should we be prevented from asserting that religion is manifestly-obvious bullshit and an intellectual insult. The corner-stone of freedom of speech is the freedom to offend and I fail to see what right you have not to be offended just because your bar of enquiry is set substantially lower than mine. I find myself offended every time i look at the outrages of organised religion and its well documented excesses – who defends my offense?
This law will be used to censor blogs like this, it is wide open to abuse and is a slippery slope to oppression – or the tyranny of the majority.– To some religious types, the very existence of Atheists is offensive and we would be forced into self-censorship. Not for the first time this year I find my self disgusted by our government.
Surely the HAI will be fighting this?
Filed under: humanism | 8 Comments »
On the issue of the difference between Morals and Ethics, Louis also suggested this from asktheatheists.com via http://boards.ie (both recommended sources).
| Morals | Ethics |
| top-down | bottom-up |
| fixed in time | evolving |
| “thou shalt (not)” | “first do no harm” |
| perfect | can be improved |
| do not question, just obey | you can argue and contribute |
| religious teachings and scripture | laws and codes of conduct |
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This issue came up at our meeting yesterday and Louis suggested this video. Thanks Louis.
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The April Meeting was held yesterday at the Carlton Castletroy Park Hotel. The theme of the meeting was Humanism in the news and it turns out that there is a lot of humanism related stories. We only looked at the Irish Times and only for the last 6 weeks or so and generated some lively discussion on the stories reviewed. These were :
1. It seems as if religion is the last taboo by BREDA O’BRIEN
Religious practice has many positive effects, and we should try and harness those benefits. Are people returning to the “comfort blanket” of religion in a time of recession?
Its a sad reflection on religion if it is reduced to the fear engendered by the recession to increase its numbers. Full Article
2. Is religion good for you? By SHANE HEGARTY
A response to the Iona Institute document saying that religious practice makes you happier, healthier, and less likely to stray as a teenager or as a spouse. This is a great piece of criticism and the best quote in it is “(The report is also quite amusing in how it talks in its main text about Richard Dawkins and The God Delusion without mentioning either by name. Say it: Dawkins, Dawkins, Dawkins. He won’t materialise in a puff of sulphur.)” Full Article
3. Humanists launch campaign against judicial religious oaths by PATSY McGARRY, Religious Affairs Correspondent A report on the The Humanist Association of Ireland poster campaign on Dart trains in the capital against the practice of judges and presidents of Ireland being obliged to take an oath. FullArticle
4. A row that goes all the way back to creation By FIONOLA MEREDITH As the Ulster Museum in Belfast prepares for its grand reopening after a major makeover, curators didn’t plan on a blazing row over plans to host a Darwin exhibition in its new science galleries. Full Article.
5. New school model still tramples on rights of the non-religious by DICK SPICER, chairman of the Humanist Association of Ireland. OUR STATE is unique among developed democracies in compelling children to attend school and then not providing them with a religiously neutral educational choice and schools, although they are funded by the taxpayers, are not “national” in the sense of accommodating all our children equally. Full Article
6. Hospice group asked to back doctor-assisted suicide By PATSY McGARRY
THE IRISH Hospice Foundation has been asked to support “legal doctor-assisted suicide” where requested by terminally ill patients. Its support has also been sought for the creation of an “advance healthcare directive” whereby a person may stipulate in advance the circumstances where he or she would refuse treatment. The requests have been made by the Humanist Association of Ireland (HAI) in a submission to the Irish Hospice Foundation. Full Article
7. Saying goodbye your own way by ARMINTA WALLACE
With society becoming increasingly secular, civil funerals can provide a more personal ritual for those who are uncomfortable with the pomp and dogma of church services. Full Article
8. How Darwin helped shape Irish writing by FINTAN O’TOOLE
The way in which Irish writers responded to Darwin’s beliefs forged a whole new cultural space here. Full Article
9. Moral equivalence is of little use to those dying without dignity by LEN DOYAL
An opinion piece putting forward his arguments for the legalisation of euthanasia following his prevention from speaking at Cork University Hospital. Full Article
We discussed the meeting schedule and decided to make the May meeting and evening one. It will take place on the 19th May at 20:00, with the venue to be decided. Hopefully this will be more conveinent for more members as the Sunday morning seems to be too early for some.
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Mid-west Humanists - An Irish Atheist Community 