Blasphemy in Ireland Challenged

From the beginning of 2010, a ridiculous and anachronistic piece of legislation came into effect in Ireland which made blasphemy a crime punishable by a fine of up to €25,000.

By publishing or uttering any matter that is deemed grossly abusive or insulting to matters sacred by any religion and thereby causing intentional outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion, an individual will fall foul of the law. Despite this, groups such as Atheist Ireland sought to challenge the law and were able to easily highlight its ineffectiveness.

Now, the Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern, has announced that he is proposing a referendum this Autumn to remove the offence of blasphemy from the Irish Constitution in its entirety. As with most referendums in Ireland that have some association with religious beliefs, I am sure that it will be a divisive one. However, it will give Ireland a chance to show itself to be a modern, pluralist society. I hope the people of Ireland grasp the opportunity.