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Fri 07 Jul 2009Blasphemy law is silly, dangerous and unjust

OPINION:Instead of passing an anachronistic and medieval blasphemy law, we should be building a secular Ireland, writes MICHAEL NUGENT

WHY HAS Dermot Ahern, in 2009, made blasphemy a crime punishable by a fine of €25,000? When this anachronistic part of the now Defamation Act is signed into law (it passed through the Oireachtas last night but only on the casting vote of the chair of the Seanad), Atheist Ireland will quickly test it by publishing a blasphemous statement. People need protection from harm, but ideas and beliefs should always be open to challenge.

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