Sunday, May 7, 2017

It's Sunday

And this is outrageous in a democracy.
Police in the Republic of Ireland have launched an investigation after a viewer claimed comments made by Stephen Fry on a TV show were blasphemous.

Officers are understood to be examining whether the British comedian committed a criminal offence under the Defamation Act when he appeared on RTE in 2015.

Fry had asked why he should "respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid god who creates a world.... full of injustice".

[...]

According to a report in the Irish Independent newspaper, no publicised cases of blasphemy have been brought before the courts since the law was introduced in 2009 and a source said it was "highly unlikely" that a prosecution against Fry would take place.

  BBC
Why in the name of god would they enact a law like that in 2009? Even if it weren't a ridiculous law, it doesn't seem like they need it if they haven't had to use it in over seven years.
The government said at the time it was needed because the republic's 1937 constitution only gives Christians legal protection of their beliefs.

[...]

The law prohibits people from publishing or uttering "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".

[...]

The viewer was not said to be offended himself but believed Fry's comments qualified as blasphemy under the law, which carries a maximum penalty of a fine of 25,000 euros (£22,000).
Gee, thanks, you little Nazi.

Jesus Frederick Christ.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

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