Tomorrow in this Republic we will also vote to change our constitution.
This important decision has been overshadowed by the Presidential election and there has been very little public debate about it.
The proposition being out to the people is to excise the word “blasphemous” from article 40 of the constitution.
By contrast with the highly charged campaign last May to repeal the Eighth Amendment (with regulated the state’s attitude to termination of pregnancy), this one has almost slipped by unnoticed.
However, it is important.
In the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo shooting in 2015, an academic at Trinity College in Dublin said that he would explore legal avenues if such a publication existed in Ireland.
Poking fun at the great and the godly is a precious tradition within European culture.
From Mistero buffo to Monty Python it is liberation through laughter.
Anything on the statute book that assails that freedom is contrary to the common good.
Therefore, it is to be welcomed that we in this Republic can remove that possibility by simply voting tomorrow.
Across the planet, this is a freedom that many can only dream of.
Every time my NUJ branch meets we have a silent protest to remind passers-by of the plight of Raif Badawi.
It is within living memory that the religious had massive influence in this state.
It wasn’t a happy movie.
A key part of subverting the Free State theocracy was to pillory it through satire.
Personal opinion, I do not believe that religious ideas should have any special protection in law.
Although as far as I can ascertain this law wasn’t used its existence it is still an affront to a modern secular society.
We should get rid of it.
Abú!
Discover more from Phil Mac Giolla Bháin
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I guess the recent ECHR judgement renders this all rather moot. 🙄
Your wrong again….blasphemy laws are not there to protect Jehovah or the giant interstellar tea pot…..or the galactic shillelagh…or what ever you think is up there or not….
They are there to protect you…..
Take away all restraints and what are the limits…….let’s all join Billy laughing at “plastic Paddys” shall we….???
It’s a big ask I know, but Billy and others might be inclined to laugh with each other rather than…at….each other if there are checks and balances in place.
Your the same age as me, will your child, the doctor be willing to put you down like a sick dog when “someone” decides your not worth the effort when you get old and sick …..for your child’s sake I really do hope there are checks and balances then……
Unlikely to be much of a party for murderers in the realm of the giant tea pot.